Los Angeles — Since the advent of search engines, search histories are perhaps the most incriminating tracks users leave on the web. If you are worried about your privacy on Facebook, it makes some people feel better to be able to delete their search history. Now, the social networking giant is empowering their users the ability to monitor their search activity and yes, delete it if that is what they wish to do.
In fact, search history on search engines like Google is totally private, as well as it has allowed its users to delete search data for a while, and although few choose to, it makes a lot of people feel better. Now Facebook is following suit, allowing you to view and delete all or part of your search history through the profile Activity Log.
“Starting today, in addition to your other activity, you will be able to view the searches you are making on Facebook. Just as you can choose to delete any of your posts, you can use the same in-line control on Activity Log to remove any of your searches at any time. It is important to remember that no one else can see your Activity Log, including your search activity,” says Facebook.
Overall, the new feature will give you more transparency into what you do on Facebook, what it tracks, and make you feel like you are more in control. To take a look, go under the Activity Log button on your homepage. In addition to the ability to delete it, you can look back over your previous searches–try not to feel too embarrassed.
The company explained the steps required to implement the process as follows: All you have to do is go to your Timeline and click on “Activity Log” right under your cover photo. From there, simply click the “all” button at the top right corner and find “search” among the options. You will see a list that says “John Q. User searched for _______” and you can delete each search at your own discretion. Of course, your activity log (including your searches) is private anyways, but sometimes it is good to have ultimate control.
As a matter of fact, it is simple, quick, and painless way to prevent prying eyes from getting up in your business, for lack of a better phrase. And, hopefully it will make you feel better and no one will see it. You are safe.
And finally, speaking of Facebook and search…Facebook is doing search. Users should start seeing the “Search” option within the activity log within the next few weeks.
Bundling search to the activity log is not the only thing Facebook has done this week to enhance user privacy. Just over the weekend, they unveiled a new social plugin called Shared Activity, which will allow developers to give users a way to control which activities they share with friends across web apps.
Nonetheless, the change could signal that Facebook wants to get deeper into web search, and is prepping for a release by adding new controls.