1 of 25 Bob Denelzen/Shutterstock
'Huntsman spider'
If you don't have arachnophobia before reading about this spider, one photo of this foot-long spider feasting on a mouse will cement a real fear of the species.
2 of 25 Warner Bros. Pictures
'Snapewives'
A subculture of Harry Potter superfans believe that they're married to Professor Severus Snape on a supernatural astral plane. It sounds ludicrous, but we found ourselves so spellbound reading about these people that by the time our curiosity was sated, it was almost time to leave our office.
3 of 25 Lucien Harriot/Getty Images
'Pressure cooker bombs' with 'backpacks'
In 2013, a Suffolk County man Googled "pressure cooker bombs" and "backpacks" from his work computer.
Then the police showed up at his house.
The police determined the man was just curious, not criminal, but he probably regrets those searches to this day.
4 of 25 National Institutes of Health
'Botfly removal'
We've never closed out of a browser tab so quickly as we did when watching a video of a man removing a parasitic, flesh-eating botfly maggot from under his skin.
5 of 25 Warner Bros. Pictures
'Red pill'
If you think you're going to get info on the "Matrix" movies by Googling this term, you're wrong. Instead, you'll get a glimpse into the Men's Rights movement; critics have called much of the movement misogynistic.
6 of 25 Junior D. Kannah/ AFP/Getty Images
'Mouth larva'
If you're searching for pictures of moth larvae, be very careful not to accidentally type the word mouth instead. Instead of pictures of household pests, you'll find pictures of humans and other animals with larvae crawling between their teeth. You will never be able to un-see these images... or videos.
7 of 25 Syda Productions/Shutterstock
'Jiggers'
A jigger is a shot-pouring tool used by bartenders. A jigger flea is a terrifying insect that burrows into the skin and lays eggs. Make sure your search terms reflect an interest in mixology, rather than parasitic fleas.
8 of 25 Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty Images
'Insider trading in an international account'
In July 2017, police arrested MIT researcher Fei Yan. According to reports, he Googled "insider trading in an international account" before allegedly purchasing large amounts of stock.
Yan was charged with three fraud counts. Federal prosecutors allege the the stock made Yan $120,000 in illicit profits.
9 of 25 Chris Weeks
'Brazilian Girls'
Fans of the band Brazilian Girls should add more search terms than just the name of the band, unless they want to see a bunch of waxing tutorials and butts... lots of butts.
10 of 25 Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star/Getty Images
'Bedbugs'
Learning the basics of bedbugs and travel is probably a good idea. But if you're looking to avoid stress, maybe not. Five minutes of exposure to the warning signs of bedbugs could convince even discerning people that these six-legged intruders are hiding in their bedding. Exhibit A: Within a day of googling "bedbugs," we threw away perfectly good sheets. That's $45 we'll never get back.
11 of 25 STR/AFP/Getty Images
'Murder Island Thailand'
Seven tourists have died on the small resort island ofKoh Taoin the past three years under disputed circumstances -- a fact you'll learn if you Google the term above. As with Snapewives, we spent about two hours riveted by this rabbit hole of a story. That's two hours we'll never get back.
12 of 25 Fedorovacz/Shutterstock
'Blue waffle'
In 2010, a hoax called "blue waffle disease" hit the internet with graphic (photoshopped) images of "infected" female genitalia.
In 2013, a constituent reached out to New Jersey city councilwoman Kathy McBride about the so-called epidemic. McBride was alarmed... not realizing that the date was April 1.
13 of 25 Amazon Pictures
'I Love Dick'
Like Samantha Bee's show, the phrase that makes up the show title "I Love Dick" is difficult to Google without graphic consequences. We recommend adding "Amazon Prime streaming video" to your search terms to watch this comedy.
14 of 25 TBS
'Full Frontal'
Samantha Bee's late-night comedy series has seen serious success, but the show still doesn't dominate Google search results. Know what does? We'll give you one guess. If you choose to Google this, we recommend you have Safe Search turned on.
15 of 25 Getty Images
'Things people have found in fast food'
People claim to have found everything from hardware parts to whole chicken heads in their fast food. If you read enough of these accounts, your options for guilt-free dining could be severely limited, if you still have an appetite at all.
16 of 25 Chaowalit Jaiyen/Shutterstock
Belly button bugs
Your belly button harbors what scientists have described as a "rainforest" of bacteria. This Google search term will yield pictures of insect bites and recently pierced, infected navels.
17 of 25 Paul Marotta/Getty Images
'Everything Facebook knows about you'
Facebook reportedly can predict if you're going to break up with your significant other or if you're pregnant. Sometimes Facebook even knows before you do. Maybe you'd rather not know any of this.
18 of 25 andreiuc88/Shutterstock
'No sleep'
If you're looking for a cure to insomnia, searching for "no sleep" won't help you. Instead, you'll wind up on Reddit's aptly-named horror story forum, and it will leave you jumping at any sudden movements. Make sure the lights are all on if you wander into this horrifying time sink.
19 of 25 Ricky Carioti/Washington Post/Getty Images
'Calculus bridge'
You may think this is high-school math term, but in the dental world, a calculus bridge (also known as a tartar bridge) is intense oral plaque buildup that can lead to receding gums and bad breath. We wouldn't wish pictures of this dental malady on our worst enemy.
20 of 25 Stephen Osman/Getty Images
[Your favorite thing] + 'cancer'
Googling your favorite things, from pizza crust to grilled steak, followed by the word "cancer," will likely yield at least one shaky report linking that thing and the disease. Even owning a dog has been linked to cancer by some sites... and we don't want you getting rid of your dog.
21 of 25 Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock
Whatever medical symptom you have right now
If you're feeling ill, call your doctor. Spending any amount of time researching your symptoms online could easily convince you that your cold is actually a rare genetic disease or that an upset stomach is cancer.
22 of 25 Kathryn Scott/Getty Images
23 of 25 Noam Galai/Getty Images
'L-Cysteine in food'
L-Cysteine is used in commercially produced bread. It's commonly synthesized from -- yes -- human hair collected from the floors of Chinese salons.
We recommend avoiding this topic online, unless you're looking to cut back on carbs permanently.
24 of 25 HBO
'GoT spoilers'
It's hard enough to avoid "Game of Thrones" spoilers on the internet. Leaks of video and scripts from future episodes are ridiculously easy to find, if you're looking.
If you want to maintain any element of surprise for the rest of the series, skip this search entirely.
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25 of 25
Things you should never, ever Google
Google can be very helpful, except when you can't unsee the results. These are a few things that you probably should not search for.
FAQs
What we should not search on Google? ›
Do not search medicines or medical symptoms on Google. Google is clearly not a place to search for medicines. It is highly advisable not to skip the doctor and rely on Google search information to know about a disease while you are sick. Also, it is dangerous to buy medicines based on the information you find on Google ...
What are the 10 things we should not search in Google? ›- 10- Smoker's lungs.
- 9- Mr. Hands.
- 8- Blue Waffle.
- 7- Dangerous animals.
- 6- Your favorite food.
- 5- Your deepest insecurities.
- 4- Your own name and email.
- 3- Medical or drug information.
- Poltergeist Videos. There are so many spooky ghost videos on YouTube, but which one's are legit? ...
- Famous Crime Scenes. ...
- Alien Abduction. ...
- Sitting & Smiling with Benjamin Bennett. ...
- Jeremy Piven Image Search. ...
- Deathbed Confessions.
The unfortunate truth is that there is no feature on Google that notifies you when somebody searches for you by name. Historically, websites like Ziggs have made claims of being able to show you exactly who has been googling you, but companies like these are quickly becoming a thing of the past.
Is my history really deleted? ›It turns out that deleting your browser history doesn't really delete anything and there is a record of every Google search you have ever made, right back to the very first one.
What should be avoided in Internet searches? ›Avoid searching government websites on Google
Like banking websites, government websites like municipality tax, hospitals, etc are prime targets of scammers. As it is difficult to identify which website is original, always opt to directly visit any particular government website instead of searching for them on Google.
It is perfectly legal to search anything online in most cases, but if those searches are linked to a crime or potential crime, you could get arrested. From there, you could get taken into custody and interrogated at best. At worst, however, you could walk away with criminal charges.
What is the most Googled thing in 2022? ›In the year, 2021, Shehnaaz Gill has broken all the records and left all her contemporaries behind by becoming the only biggest female celebrity that has appeared on google search quite frequently.
Who is Google most searched person? ›
- Neeraj Chopra.
- Aryan Khan.
- Shehnaaz Gill.
- Raj Kundra.
- Elon Musk.
- Vicky Kaushal.
- P V Sindhu.
- Bajrang Punia.
- Fournier. New York Knicks NBA player Evan Fournier's nickname is "Never Google" and there's a reason. ...
- Krokodil. ...
- Your favorite food. ...
- Mouth larva. ...
- Google. ...
- Calculus Bridge. ...
- Your e-mail address. ...
- Ring Avulsion.
- 0:30. Videos On YouTube That You Should Never Watch. ...
- 10:29. Unedited Footage of a Bear | Infomercials | Adult Swim. ...
- 11:55. This House Has People in It. ...
- 11:12. Too Many Cooks | Adult Swim. ...
- 3:25. Don't Hug me I'm Scared. ...
- 3:42. Don't Hug Me I'm Scared 2 - TIME. ...
- 6:08. ...
- 5:02.
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google app .
- At the top right, tap your Profile picture or initial. Search history.
- Choose the Search history you want to delete. You can choose: All your Search history: Above your history, tap Delete. Delete all time.
If your personal information is spotted on the dark web, it could mean someone took the information without your permission. Criminals steal information in a variety of ways. Some try hacking into accounts or using malware to capture passwords. Others attempt to collect information through phishing scams and SIM swaps.
Can I know if someone searched me on Facebook? ›No, Facebook doesn't let people track who views their profile. Third-party apps also can't provide this functionality. If you come across an app that claims to offer this ability, please report the app. Was this helpful?
When you look up someone on Facebook do they know? ›No, Facebook doesn't tell people that you've seen their profile. Third-party apps also can't provide this functionality.
Can police recover deleted internet history? ›Keeping Your Data Secure
So, can police recover deleted pictures, texts, and files from a phone? The answer is yes—by using special tools, they can find data that hasn't been overwritten yet. However, by using encryption methods, you can ensure your data is kept private, even after deletion.
So you're wondering if your parents can see your search history? The short answer is yes; your parents can see your search history unless you have deleted it or searched in private search mode (Incognito mode in Google Chrome).
How long does your internet history stay? ›You can't get your browsing history from your ISP, but there are other ways to view your search history and protect your privacy online. The U.S. government mandates that ISPs keep records of customers' internet history for at least 90 days.
What will happen if I Google myself? ›
Searching for Yourself Online Has Negative Impacts
Plus, when ads appear but aren't clicked on, they're shown less overall, and the cost goes up. Meaning fewer genuine prospects will see your ads, and you'll pay more for the same level of visibility.
- Do cockerels crow when they feel like it?
- How many toes does a rhinoceros have?
- Why is your face on your head?
- Why does cucumber taste like shampoo?
- What is the average weight of a panda?
- What is the length of spaghetti?
- How can I grow taller?
- Do a Barrel Roll. It is the best opportunity to surprise your friends with this. ...
- Askew/Tilt. ...
- Zerg Rush. ...
- Blink HTML. ...
- Party Like It's 1998. ...
- Shake It Trick. ...
- Atari Breakout. ...
- Recursion.
As a matter of fact, pornography is one of the most successful online industries in existence. But if pornographic material involves participants under the age of 18, viewing it violates the law. Just searching for child pornography without actually viewing it can get you arrested for a crime.
What content is illegal on the internet? ›Although what is considered illegal will vary in each country, some example of things which might be included are: Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) Hate Speech. Commercial scams.
What can you not search on Google Images? ›- Fournier. Evan Fournier playing for the Orlando Magic (Image: Keith Allison/Flickr) ...
- Degloving. It has absolutely nothing to do with gloves (Metro) ...
- Harlequin ichthyosis. Genetic disorders don't make for nice pictures (iStockphoto) ...
- Calculus bridge. It's not this kind of calculus (Getty) ...
- Mouth Larva.
- Fournier. Evan Fournier playing for the Orlando Magic (Image: Keith Allison/Flickr) ...
- Degloving. It has absolutely nothing to do with gloves (Metro) ...
- Harlequin ichthyosis. Genetic disorders don't make for nice pictures (iStockphoto) ...
- Calculus bridge. It's not this kind of calculus (Getty) ...
- Mouth Larva.
Private photo and video- Not only Google but sharing anyone's photo or video without anyone's permission is a crime. This could land you in jail. Bomb process If you are searching on Google how to make a bomb, then you may have to go to jail.
Is it safe to search anything on Google? ›Never search apps and software on Google to download them
For mobile apps, always search for apps on official app stores like Google Play for Android and App Store for iPhones. Searching apps on Google might lead to fake app installations with malware content.
All searches are secured with encryption
All searches on Google.com and in the Google app are encrypted by default, keeping your information safe from anyone trying to intercept this data.
Why can't I imagine things in my head? ›
Aphantasia is a phenomenon in which people are unable to visualize imagery. While most people are able to conjure an image of a scene or face in their minds, people with aphantasia cannot.
How do I erase search history? ›- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google app .
- At the top right, tap your Profile picture or initial. Search history.
- Choose the Search history you want to delete. You can choose: All your Search history: Above your history, tap Delete. Delete all time.
Google.com is UP and reachable by us.
What is the safest search engine 2022? ›- Comparison Of Some Top Secure Search Engine.
- #1) Startpage.
- #2) DuckDuckGo.
- #3) searX.
- #4) Qwant.
- #5) Swisscows.
- #6) MetaGer.
- #7) Mojeek.
DuckDuckGo
By far the best-known service that markets itself as a private search engine, DuckDuckGo is a powerful metasearch tool that gathers results from over 400 sources, including Yahoo, Bing, and Wikipedia. It is extremely popular, receiving about 14 million search queries a day.
Google Security Alert/Warning is a fake alert issued by malicious websites. Like all social engineering, it's designed to trick users into making an unsafe decision online. Chrome and Android devices have security alerts, but they aren't labeled “Google Security Alert”.
Which is safer Google or Chrome? ›Google Chrome — Google maintains the most comprehensive database of malicious websites and frequently updates Chrome. Vivaldi — Blocks ads on abusive sites by default, collects little user data, and protects users with Google Safe Browsing.
Is there a kid friendly Google? ›Kiddle. Kiddle is a safe, visual search engine for kids powered by Google. The first three results to each query are kid-safe sites and pages written specifically for children and hand-picked by the editors at Kiddle.
Does Google report suspicious searches? ›Google is not the police. In most cases, Google will not report suspicious searches unless circumstances call for it. Child pornography is a prime example. While Google isn't required to actively monitor illegal content, it may, however, report crimes such as child pornography.