Help CenterGoogle Chrome is a powerful browser, but its default settings aren’t exactly privacy-friendly. If you're not ready to switch to a more private browser like Firefox but still want to reduce Google's reach into your life, don’t worry—there are plenty of quick tweaks you can make. We’ll show you the most effective ones, from minimizing Google's tracking to locking down your browser data. Let's get you browsing more securely!
1. Sign Out of Your Google Account
Why it’s important: Staying signed in means your data—like browsing history and bookmarks—gets synced across devices. While this is convenient, it also means Google collects a lot more data about your browsing habits.
How to do it:
- Click the three-dots menu in the upper-right corner.
- Go to Settings.
- Under You and Google, click Turn off next to your name to sign out.
- Optionally, under Sync and Google services, disable Allow Chrome sign-in to prevent Chrome from automatically logging you in when you use Google services.
2. Switch Your Default Search Engine to DuckDuckGo
Why it’s important: Google records everything you search for, which helps build an advertising profile. DuckDuckGo doesn’t track you and provides more privacy-friendly results.
How to do it:
- Go to Settings > Search engine.
- Select DuckDuckGo from the drop-down menu.
If you ever need Google’s results, just add !g to your search query in DuckDuckGo, and it’ll take you there without switching engines manually.
3. Limit Google’s Data Collection
Why it’s important: Google collects data to improve Chrome, but that doesn’t mean you have to share everything. You can control what Google learns from you.
How to do it:
- Go to Settings > Sync and Google services.
- Disable these options:
- Help improve Chrome’s features and performance
- Make searches and browsing better
- Enhanced spell check (if you don’t want Google reviewing what you type)
This will reduce the amount of data Chrome sends back to Google.
4. Stop Background Apps from Running
Why it’s important: Chrome can run apps in the background even after you close it, which can leave you vulnerable to unwanted notifications or malicious activity.
How to do it:
- Go to Settings > System.
- Turn off Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed.
This shuts down everything once you close Chrome—no more sneaky background apps!
5. Enable Do Not Track
Why it’s important: While not all websites respect this setting, enabling Do Not Track sends a clear request to websites asking them not to track your browsing habits.
How to do it:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
- Turn on Send a “Do Not Track” request with your browsing traffic.
It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s a step in the right direction.
6. Block Third-Party Cookies
Why it’s important: Third-party cookies track you across multiple websites to build a detailed profile of your browsing habits. Blocking them stops advertisers from following you around the internet.
How to do it:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
- Choose Block third-party cookies.
If some websites break with this setting, you can opt for Block third-party cookies in Incognito to only block them during private browsing sessions.
7. Disable Preloading Pages
Why it’s important: Chrome can preload websites it thinks you might visit next, but this also means those sites can set cookies before you even visit them. Turning this off helps reduce unnecessary cookie storage.
How to do it:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
- Toggle off Preload pages for faster browsing and searching.
8. Review and Revoke Website Permissions
Why it’s important: Some sites ask for access to your location, camera, or microphone—and they don’t always need it. It’s a good idea to revoke unnecessary permissions.
How to do it:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings.
- Review the permissions under Permissions (like Location, Camera, and Microphone) and adjust them as needed.
This prevents unwanted pop-ups and improves your privacy.
9. Clear Browsing Data Regularly
Why it’s important: Over time, Chrome stores a lot of browsing data, including cookies and cache files. Clearing this data helps keep your browser from turning into a tracking haven.
How to do it:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data.
- Select the Advanced tab and choose All time for a full clear-out, or manually select what to keep.
10. Turn on DNS Request Encryption
Why it’s important: Unencrypted DNS requests can be intercepted and used to redirect you to malicious sites. Encrypting them adds a layer of security.
How to do it:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Security.
- Scroll down and enable Use secure DNS.
11. Switch to a Password Manager
Why it’s important: Chrome’s password manager is convenient, but it’s not as secure as dedicated services like BitWarden or 1Password. Switching to a trusted password manager ensures your credentials are better protected and keeps Google out of the loop.
How to do it:
- Export your saved Chrome passwords to a password manager and delete them from Chrome’s settings.
With these tweaks, you can keep using Chrome without feeling like Google’s watching your every move. Just follow the steps above to gain control over your browsing experience—and enjoy a bit more privacy while you’re at it!