Google has enabled a new setting that blurs explicit images in search results by default.
The feature is part of Google’s SafeSearch settings designed to prevent users from accidentally viewing violent or pornographic images online.
Google announced in February that the blur filter, which was previously enabled by default for logged-in users under 18, would gradually be expanded to everyone. That day has come, as the new setting is now being enabled worldwide.
The filter applies to everyone, regardless of whether you are logged in with your Google account or not.
Since it is a tool developed by Google, the feature only works with Google search results and does not block or blur material you find on other search engines or on websites you visit directly.
However, if you do not want to activate the filter, you can easily deactivate it in your settings at any time. To do this, follow these steps:
How to disable Google SafeSearch
When you first encounter blurred images in your search results, you should see the label “SafeSearch blur is enabled” at the top of the page.
Next to it is a “Manage Settings” button that takes you to the filter controls where you can choose between three options.
These include “Filter” to block all explicit images, text, and links, “Blur” to blur explicit content but not text and links, and “Off,” which shows all results, even if they are explicit.
How do I turn off Google SafeSearch on my phone?
On Android and iPhone, you can find the SafeSearch settings by following this link.
Alternatively, if you use the Google app, you can turn off the filter by tapping your profile picture or initials, then selecting Settings and SafeSearch. Here you’ll find the same controls as listed above.
If you don’t see the options or they are blocked, it may be because you’re logged into a public Wi-Fi network or a school or work computer where someone else is in charge of the filters.
Is Google SafeSearch activated automatically?
Google SafeSearch’s strictest setting is automatically enabled only for logged-in users under 18, but blurring of explicit images is enabled by default for everyone.
On a personal device, SafeSearch can be turned off by anyone as long as you are not using a supervised account with parental controls.
By making SafeSearch blur the default option for all users, Google is trying to ensure that children and teens don’t accidentally see explicit content, since some people don’t use Google while logged into an account.
Google SafeSearch error
As some users noticed when this setting was first introduced, Google SafeSearch blurred images even after they manually disabled it.
We also encountered the issue during our testing in late June. At the time, Google confirmed to The Standard that there were issues with the feature, saying this was due to a short delay in web pages updating while the changes were made.
“We thank you for your patience while we work to resolve this issue as quickly as possible,” a Google spokesperson said.