Searchonymous

Searchonymous

Prevents Google from tracking your searches.

What is Searchonymous?
The Chrome extension 'Searchonymous' is a privacy tool to protect your Google searches. It stops Google from sending tracking cookies, hence it can't link searches to your account or build a search history. Despite tampering with Google search, the extension keeps other Google services intact. It also lets you alter your search settings by enabling the 'Search Preferences Cookie'. However, it can't secure against IP or browser fingerprint tracking.
Merlin
Stats
Users: 2,000+
Rating: 4.22 (18)
Version: 1.1.2 (Last updated: 2023-07-20)
Creation date: 2019-02-27
Risk impact: Very high risk impact
Risk likelihood: Moderate risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • webRequest
  • webRequestBlocking
  • storage
  • *://*.google.com/*
  • *://*.google.ad/*
  • *://*.google.ae/*
  • *://*.google.com.af/*
  • *://*.google.com.ag/*
  • *://*.google.com.ai/*
  • *://*.google.al/*
  • See more
Size: 27.95K
URLs: Website
Stats date:

Chrome-Stats Rank

Other rankings
#3024 in Tools ▲ 1

Other platforms

Searchonymous
Searchonymous (v1.1.2)
4.27 (22) 1,787+
Not available on Edge
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Chrome-Stats extension
Merlin
Summary
Analyze keywords

Searchonymous helps to keep your Google searches private: When installed no tracking cookies are sent to Google while searching. That way Google will not be able to connect searches with your account or create a search history. Also you will not receive customized search results.

When the add-on is active it seems to Google that are logged out of your Google account during searches (see the the "Sign in" button at the top right). However you stay logged in on other Google services such as Youtube or Gmail.

If you want to change your Google search settings, make sure to allow the "Search Preferences Cookie" in the add-on settings. By default the preferences-cookie will be blocked which effectively discards any changes to your search settings.

Please note that there are other means of tracking this add-on can't protect you against, such as using your IP address or browser fingerprint.

User reviews
User reviews summary
These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Enhances privacy
  • Bypasses captcha while using VPN
  • Prevents cookies from being sent on Google requests
Cons
  • Stopped working recently for some users
  • Doesn't work on Opera browser
  • Difficult for users to verify if it's working
Most mentioned
  • Enhances privacy
  • Doesn't work
  • Bypasses captcha while using VPN
Recent reviews
Stopped working recently now Big Bad Google will redirect your search to a cookie settings page so there goes any hope for privacy.
by Bogdan S Bogdan S, 2023-10-10

Fantastic extension. Very useful for privacy and getting rid of captcha while using vpn.
by Max Payne Max Payne, 2023-07-29

So far it's working great, letting me search google without an account but not signing me out of other google sites. also I haven't encountered captcha or agreeing the google terms pop-up. Will update my rating if anything changes...
by Breaking Bad Breaking Bad, 2023-07-24
View all user reviews
Safety
Risk impact

Searchonymous is very risky to use and it requires a lot of sensitive permissions. Avoid installing this extension unless you absolutely trust this publisher.

Risk likelihood

Searchonymous is probably trust-worthy. Prefer other publishers if available. Exercise caution when installing this extension.

Upgrade to see risk analysis details
Screenshots
Promo images
Searchonymous small promo image
Small promo image
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