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How do I disable Google Suggest?

I know I am stupid but I hate the Google thing by which when you enter a word a window drops open to show all the words you might type at that point! How can I get rid of this unwanted prompt that is such a nuisance?

Dave's Answer:

Being baffled by computers hardly makes you stupid. In fact, I'd say it makes you "one of us" since everyone I know gets befuddled by some aspect of technology eventually.

In this instance, you're talking about Google Suggest and it's one of those things where either you love it or you hate it. And it sounds like you've moved along that continuum since you started trying it.

For those of you that haven't tried Google Suggest, here's a screenshot showing how it works with a partially entered search for "halfblood prince":

Google Suggest search for (Harry Potter and the) Half Blood Prince

In this situation, I've typed in halfb and as I've typed each letter, the suggestion list has changed, always showing me the most popular dozen odd searches that match the prefix typed so far.

Cool idea, but I don't use it either, frankly, and I can understand your reluctance to keep it as your own default Google search page.

Fortunately, the Google Suggest FAQ explains exactly how to disable the entire Suggest system, restoring you to your normal Google search page.

Here's what they say:

How do I get back to normal Google?
You can go directly to http://www.google.com, or type http://www.google.com into your browser's address field; either way, you'll be back using ordinary Google search without Google Suggest.

If Google Suggest comes on whenever you open a new browser window, it may be set as your home or start page. To set your start page back to http://www.google.com (or anything else) use your web browser's Options menu.

In Internet Explorer, you can do this by first selecting Tools, then Internet Options. On the Internet Options menu, look for the Home Page section, find the Address: text box, and enter http://www.google.com. Then select OK.
In FireFox, this menu is found under Tools, then Options.
In Mozilla, it is found under Edit, then Preferences.
In Opera, it is found under Edit, then Options.

I think this will get you back to regular Google searches with nary a hiccup!

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Comments

how do get off google account?

Posted by: ann at November 24, 2006 2:44 AM

This suggestion did not work for this Opera (Linux) user. It still "suggests" when you go to http://www.google.com; even after you follow the Google link off of this page. This is a horrible feature to IMPOSE on everyone, it is counter-productive to someone who wants to do a simple "quick" search as it reloads the page with EVERY letter typed! >:(

Posted by: Matt at February 1, 2008 12:14 PM

That does not work for me. I found you need to use http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=0&hl=en as the default google address.

Posted by: VeronikaB at August 26, 2008 8:50 AM

if the option is not there in firefox 2 (in my case), just block clients1.google.com in BlockSite (a firefox addon)

Posted by: matt at August 26, 2008 7:40 PM

Thank you VeronikaB! Google must have made some recent change, because the "default" google page didn't have the "google suggest" until today.

I'm with most people here; google suggest is annoying!

Posted by: Jose at August 26, 2008 7:57 PM

Thank you, VeronikaB. I agree with Jose (above)...your suggestion works beautifully. I am surprised that Google was no help at all on this.. :-( For example, I checked my 'preferences' page, but no alternative or explanantion was offered. I hope that Google does not make a habit of forcing changes like this.

Posted by: Bri at August 27, 2008 4:11 AM

I have the google toolbar for firefox 3. I use quite a bit the google button to open google in a new tab. It's suddenly started this annoying suggest feature and a can't see a way to turn it off. I want to keep the toolbar and the google button and I want to get the button to revert to its non-suggesting behavior (I don't use blocksite). Any suggestions for accomplishing this?

Posted by: becca at August 28, 2008 1:50 PM

To disable this Google Suggest, you need to go to "Preferences" on the Google homepage (right side of the search box).
At the bottom of the Preferences page, you will have the option "Do not provide query suggestions in the search box". And "Save your preferences".
It should work!

Posted by: Adeline at October 30, 2008 6:00 PM

hi there, you know when you have visited a site and after a while you close the page start it up again and for example you type in to google that site name and like the suggestion box it drops down and you can see what you have previously visited... who do i disable it, or turn it off??? can you help me?

Posted by: amey at January 7, 2009 3:54 PM

Hi. I too detest Google Suggest. I have Firefox and have followed your advice to make http://www.google.com/webhp?/complete=0&hl=en my default google address. However, I am still getting Suggest coming up, which is more frustrating than all those 'cos' your worth it' TV ads! Am I doing something wrong or is there another fix I can try
Thanks
Peter

Posted by: Peter Noonan at February 6, 2009 6:04 AM

this does not work, I am already on my default google.com page

Posted by: Paul at April 6, 2009 10:06 AM

This has got to rate as Google's worst innovation to date! I really really hate those suggestions.

Posted by: Rick Rude at April 9, 2009 10:33 AM

Ok. Ive figured out how to remove google suggest but unfortunately, it removes the suggestion box for all websites.
For firefox users go to Tools, then Options. Click the Privacy tab and untick "Remember what I enter in forms and the search bar". Click Ok and you are good to go!

Sorry I havent figured out a way for Internet Explorer.

Posted by: Ray at May 10, 2009 10:42 PM

Hi Dave,

How do I temporarily disable Google As my homepage? I want to look for the internet explorer tools drop down menu. However, when I log on to the internet, the google home page fills the whole screen.

Posted by: Peter Hermanns at June 22, 2009 8:15 AM

On Internet Explorer the Google toolbar comes with the Google search box on it, but I also have one next to my URL box. I know you can disable this in Firefox, but I can't find out how to in IE. Thanks for the help

Posted by: Mag at June 30, 2009 12:42 PM

In Firefox, use the Adblock Plus addon. In Options / My Adblocking Rules, simply block the domain...

clients1.google.com

This is the server that handles Google’s suggestion keywords. Treating it as adware — which indeed it has now become — turns off Suggest.

Posted by: Jurn at July 1, 2009 1:23 AM

I have a lot to say, but ...

I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!