The short answer is yes, TikTok does keep track of your search history and makes it available for you to view. However, it’s not immediately obvious how to find and access your TikTok search history. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about viewing your TikTok search history, deleting your search history, and controlling search history settings.
Where to find your TikTok search history
TikTok stores your search history and makes it available in your account settings. To view your TikTok search history:
- Open the TikTok app on your mobile device.
- Tap the “Me” tab on the bottom toolbar.
- Tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner.
- Select “Settings and privacy” from the menu.
- Tap “Content and activity.”
- Select “Search history.”
This will display a list of all recent search terms you’ve entered when using TikTok. The search terms are displayed in chronological order with the most recent searches at the top.
Your TikTok search history goes back as far as the beginning of when you created your account. So you can scroll down to see your earliest searches if you want to jog your memory about what you were looking for when you first started using TikTok.
How far back does TikTok search history go?
As mentioned above, your TikTok search history goes all the way back to the creation of your account. So if you’ve been using TikTok for years, you’ll be able to scroll through years’ worth of old search terms.
TikTok does not appear to automatically delete or purge any of your old search history. The only way to remove search terms from your history is to manually delete search terms or to delete your account entirely.
Does TikTok save deleted searches?
Yes, TikTok still saves and displays deleted searches in your search history. If you delete a search term on the search history page, it will disappear from the list. But don’t be fooled into thinking it’s been permanently deleted.
If you exit the search history page and come back later, you’ll notice the deleted term reappears in your history again. The only way to permanently delete a search is to delete your entire TikTok account.
Can you clear your TikTok search history?
Unfortunately, there is no simple one-tap “clear history” option within TikTok’s settings. The only way to clear your search history is to manually delete individual terms one by one.
To delete a search term from your history:
- View your search history as explained above.
- Swipe left on any search term you want to delete.
- Tap “Delete” to remove that term.
This is a time-consuming process if you want to thoroughly purge your search history. There’s no bulk-delete option. But on the plus side, deleted terms can be recovered since they reappear after exiting and re-entering your search history.
How to disable search history
If you want to prevent TikTok from tracking your searches going forward, there is a setting to disable search history:
- Go to your account Settings.
- Tap “Privacy and Safety.”
- Toggle “Enable search history” off.
With search history disabled, TikTok will no longer keep track of new searches you perform. However, it’s important to note this does NOT delete any existing history prior to toggling it off.
Can you see other people’s search history?
No, it is not possible to look up another user’s TikTok search history. A user’s search history is visible only to that particular account holder when logged into their own account.
Search history is considered private user data. TikTok does not make search history public or share it with any other users.
Can TikTok employees see your search history?
In TikTok’s privacy policy, they explicitly state that TikTok employees are prohibited from viewing users’ private search history data without gaining prior permission and consent from the user.
However, in TikTok’s law enforcement guidelines, they clarify that they will produce users’ search history data when compelled by a legal request or court order.
So in summary – TikTok employees ostensibly stay out of your search history, but the company will hand it over to law enforcement given a valid legal basis to do so.
Can you see someone’s liked videos history?
No, there is no ability to look up another user’s liked videos history or watch history on TikTok. The only person who can see your liked videos is you when logged into your own account.
Viewing your liked videos history:
- Tap the “Profile” tab on the bottom toolbar.
- Tap the bookmark “Liked” icon in the upper right.
This will display all the videos you have liked while using TikTok. But again, only the account holder has access to this section – it’s not publicly viewable or shareable.
Is watch history private?
Yes, your TikTok watch history showing the videos you have viewed is private to your account. There is no way for other users or the public to see what videos you have watched.
You can view your own watch history by:
- Going to your Profile.
- Tapping the “History” icon.
This watch history is for your reference only and cannot be accessed by anyone else. TikTok keeps video watch data private as a user privacy protection.
Can you download your TikTok data?
Yes! TikTok allows you to download all the data associated with your account, including your search history. Here’s how:
- Go to account Settings.
- Tap “Data and permissions.”
- Tap “Download your data.”
TikTok will package up all your account data including likes, search history, profile info, etc. and email you a download link. This can serve as a good backup of your TikTok search history.
Do be aware it takes about 3 days for TikTok to process and prepare your data download before sending the link.
In summary…
- TikTok retains your entire search history as far back as account creation.
- You can view your search history in account Settings > Content and activity.
- Deleted searches reappear in history until you delete your account.
- Disable search history with Settings > Privacy and safety.
- Your search history is private and inaccessible to other users.
- You can download your TikTok data including search history for backup.
