How to Make Your Social Media Private
You probably think you know how to keep your internet habits a secret. “Clearing your browser history is too obvious,” you say. “I just do all my sketches in the incognito window!” Okay hotties, then let me ask you: have you ever searched for something weird on Instagram? Are there any visits to your ex’s Twitter profile that you might not want to share with the next friend or loved one who picks up your phone? “I have to show you the account of this adorable Japanese puppy … Why are your recent requests similar to those of Armie Hammer ?”
Not ashamed of the game, Armie, but not all of us have your cold bravado. So, here’s a guide on how to keep your social media search habits to yourself.
Instagram search habits can make themselves known in two ways: First, they contribute to your “explored” feed, Instagram offers posts you might like that pop up when you click the magnifying lens on the bottom navigation bar. Then, as soon as you click on the search bar at the top of this page, Instagram will suggest more suggestions and suggest your recent searches.
Next Web has a complete kit for erasing those red flags. Clearing your search history is the first step; it will remove your recent searches, but it won’t affect the recommendations. You can do this in the settings. (On iOS, click the gear icon next to “Edit Profile.” On Android, it’s a three-dot line.)
To keep the account from showing up in your search suggestions – Instagram may know what you like, but you don’t need anyone to know it! – click the search bar and then press and hold the account – you will get a pop-up message -up option to hide. (Hiding is permanent, no matter how many times you keep searching for an account.)
Finally, you can customize the Explore feed by choosing Fewer Such Posts – when you see which type of account you want to minimize, click the three dots in the upper left for the option to appear.
Click on the Facebook search bar and yes, here are your recent searches. So useful Facebook! Luckily, as InformationWeek points out , you can clear your Facebook search history entirely, or remove individual items. But be careful: you will see not only a set of your main searches, but every single search you make on Facebook. If you’ve been doing intrusive investigations on social media, this may be your coming to Jesus.
First find the activity log:
- On the web, click the small down arrow in the upper right corner next to the question mark icon and select Activity Log.
- On iOS, click the three-line menu (hamburger) in the lower right corner, click Settings and select Activity Log.
- On Android, go to your profile and tap Activity Log right below your profile photo.
Then click on “Filter” and select “Search”. Either use the “Clear Search” for the carpet bomb, or use the block icon next to individual searches to remove them from the journal. (However, if you have a dozen attempts to find your fans in elementary school, you will have to delete them all.)
Previously, your Twitter search history was the hardest to clear, but now it’s a piece of cake “why did I search all possible spellings of my name.” When you click on the Twitter search bar, you are presented with “Recent Searches”. But at the same time, you are presented with the option to clear this with X or Clear All. Press this button and you will have a blank slate.
Just remember, if your account is public, your likes are too.