How to turn off Google SafeSearch and other search filters

You can usually find anything on the internet without restrictions. Still, you may stumble upon explicit content that is considered not safe for work (NSFW) and not suitable for children.

However, you can avoid these situations by using your search engine’s built-in SafeSearch option, especially if you use Google as your default search engine.

It filters out potentially inappropriate content. You can also turn this setting on or off on other search engines, like Bing and DuckDuckGo.

You may not need this setting enabled if you’re an adult, in which case SafeSearch would be a hindrance, especially if you’re using your phone or one of the best Chromebooks to browse the web.

Our guide shows you how to turn off SafeSearch on popular search engines and discusses how to turn it on again if the situation warrants it.

Turn off Google SafeSearch on a desktop

You can turn off SafeSearch on your Mac, Windows PC, or Chromebook. Below are the steps on how to disable the setting.

Turn off SafeSearch from the SafeSearch settings

To turn off the SafeSearch feature on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Go to the SafeSearch settings.
2. Select Off.
   

Turn off SafeSearch from the Google search page

1. Search for any topic in Google Chrome or your default browser using the company’s search engine.
2. Click the Quick Settings icon in the upper-right corner of the display.
   
3. Select SafeSearch.
4. This opens a new window. Select Off.
   

Turn off Google SafeSearch on an Android phone or tablet

Besides using a laptop or desktop setup, you can also turn off SafeSearch, whether you’re using an Android phone or tablet. We walk you through the steps below.

Use the Google app to turn off SafeSearch

1. Launch the Google app on your Android phone or tablet.
2. Tap your profile picture or initials in the upper-right corner of the screen.
3. Select SafeSearch from the options.
   

   
4. Select Off.
   

Use a mobile browser to turn off SafeSearch

1. Visit SafeSearch settings via https://www.google.com/safesearch on your Android device or tablet browser.
2. Select Off.

Turn off SafeSearch on an Android TV

1. Launch the Android TV home screen.
2. Scroll down to Settings.
3. Navigate to Preferences.
4. Select Search.
5. Select SafeSearch filter.
6. Tap the switch to toggle it off.

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How to turn off Bing’s SafeSearch feature

Microsoft Bing is one of the most popular search engines on the web and is a direct competitor to Google Search.

If you prefer it to Google as your default tool for surfing the web, here’s how to adjust the SafeSearch settings.

1. Launch your browser and go to Bing.com. Wait for the page to load fully.
2. Select the hamburger icon in the upper-right corner of the window. A drop-down menu appears.
3. Select SafeSearch. You’re taken to the Bing search settings page.
   
4. Choose a SafeSearch option: Strict, Moderate, or Off.
   
5. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and tap Save.

If you’re located in China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Middle East, Singapore, Thailand, or Turkey, Bing’s SafeSearch might be set to Strict mode.

This often happens due to laws that dictate the type of content allowed to be displayed online, influencing how SafeSearch filters your search results.

If you’re facing this, here’s a quick fix:

1. Select the hamburger icon in the window’s upper-right corner and tap Settings.
   
2. Go to the Bing Settings menu and locate the Country/Region section.
   
3. Change the location to somewhere without restrictions, such as the United States.
4. Press the Save button at the bottom of the menu.
5. Check to see if SafeSearch has been turned off in Bing.

How to turn off DuckDuckGo SafeSearch

There are several ways to turn off SafeSearch for DuckDuckGo.

Our tutorial series covers how to turn SafeSearch for DuckDuckGo using the search result page, the settings, the bang syntax, and visiting another domain.

Turn off SafeSearch using the search result page

1. Search for anything using DuckDuckGo as your default search engine.
2. Click Safe search under the toolbar. A drop-down menu with a few privacy levels appears.
3. Choose any of the options: Strict, Moderate, or Off.
   

Turn off Safe Search from the DuckDuckGo settings

1. Visit the DuckDuckGo settings page.
   
2. Navigate to Safe Search.
3. Tap the drop-down button to the right.
4. Select an option of your choice.
   

Turn off SafeSearch using the bang syntax

You’ll add the !safeoff syntax to any part of your search query for this option. This automatically turns off SafeSearch for the results.

SafeSearch remains off for subsequent searches until you turn it back on again.

Turn off Safe Search using safe DuckDuckGo

While the previous sections have been about turning off SafeSearch, this one allows you to turn it on.

Instead of going to the regular DuckDuckGo domain, go to https://safe.duckduckgo.com/. This automatically turns on safe search with the maximum (strict) setting.

How to turn on SafeSearch

SafeSearch is off by default or turned on for most search engines with moderate settings.

However, there are a few exceptions. For example, SafeSearch is turned on by default for Google accounts of children under 13. Similarly, family accounts only allow parents to adjust the setting.

Whichever account you operate, you’ll turn on SafeSearch to hide explicit results and screen potentially harmful content. Follow the steps for your web browser.

SafeSearch isn’t perfect. Even when turned on, explicit content may slip through. Search engines usually have options to report it.

SafeSearch doesn’t work across search engines. For example, if you turn it on or off for Google, you’ll do the same when switching to Bing. Also, SafeSearch doesn’t work on websites that you visit directly.

Beyond SafeSearch to parental control

There isn’t a shortage of content you can find online.

But at the same time, there’s content put out there that’s inappropriate for children. SafeSearch is a handy tool that helps filter age-appropriate content on Google, making the internet safer.

Even with these tools, tech-savvy kids can figure out how to get around SafeSearch and see things they shouldn’t. That’s why setting up a parental control system might be worth looking into.

Establishing parental controls on your devices makes monitoring and blocking content your kids shouldn’t access far easier (and much more foolproof).