SafeSearch Setup Guide

Beginner 5-10 minutes

Learn how to enable SafeSearch filtering on Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and other search engines to block explicit content from search results.

Prerequisites:

  • • Access to the device or browser where filtering is needed
  • • Admin access to supervised accounts (for enforcement)

What is SafeSearch?

SafeSearch is a built-in filtering feature offered by most major search engines that helps block explicit images, videos, and websites from appearing in search results. While not perfect, it's an essential first line of defense and takes just minutes to enable.

SafeSearch filters explicit sexual content, graphic violence, and other adult material. However, it's not foolproof—some inappropriate content may still slip through, and determined users can disable it unless you use enforcement methods.

Best for: Quick protection layer, children's devices, combining with other filtering methods for comprehensive coverage.

🔍 Google SafeSearch

Google is the most popular search engine, making SafeSearch configuration critical.

Enable on Desktop/Laptop

  1. Go to google.com
  2. Click Settings (bottom right) → Search settings
  3. Scroll to "SafeSearch filters" section
  4. Check "Turn on SafeSearch"
  5. Scroll down and click "Save" at the bottom

Enable on Mobile (iOS/Android)

  1. Open the Google app or visit google.com in a browser
  2. Tap your profile icon (top right)
  3. Tap Settings → Hide explicit results
  4. Toggle on "Filter explicit results"

Lock SafeSearch (Enforcement)

Without locking, users can easily disable SafeSearch. Here's how to enforce it:

Method 1: Supervised Google Account (Best)

  • Create a supervised Google account through Family Link
  • SafeSearch is automatically enabled and locked
  • Child cannot disable it
  • Works across all devices where they're signed in

Method 2: DNS-Level Enforcement

  • Use DNS filtering services that force SafeSearch
  • OpenDNS FamilyShield automatically enforces Google SafeSearch
  • CleanBrowsing Family Filter also forces SafeSearch
  • Works network-wide without account needed

Method 3: Browser Extensions (Limited)

  • Extensions like "Force SafeSearch" can enforce settings
  • Only works in that specific browser
  • Can be disabled if user has browser admin access
  • Not recommended as sole enforcement method
Important: Simply enabling SafeSearch isn't enough for children. Use Family Link or DNS filtering to lock it and prevent them from turning it off.

🔷 Microsoft Bing SafeSearch

Enable on Desktop/Laptop

  1. Go to bing.com
  2. Click the menu icon (☰) at the top
  3. Click Settings
  4. Under "SafeSearch" select:
    • Strict: Filters explicit text, images, and videos (recommended for children)
    • Moderate: Filters explicit images and videos but not text
    • Off: No filtering
  5. Click Save

Enable on Mobile

  1. Open Bing app or visit bing.com
  2. Tap menu icon (☰)
  3. Tap Settings
  4. Set SafeSearch to "Strict"
  5. Save changes

Lock Bing SafeSearch

  1. After enabling Strict SafeSearch, scroll to bottom of settings
  2. Click "Lock SafeSearch" (requires Microsoft account)
  3. Sign in with your Microsoft account
  4. SafeSearch is now locked for that browser/account
Microsoft Family Safety: If using Windows Family Safety, SafeSearch is automatically enforced across Microsoft services.

🦆 DuckDuckGo Safe Search

DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused search engine that's growing in popularity.

Enable Safe Search

  1. Go to duckduckgo.com
  2. Click Settings (☰) in top right
  3. Click "All Settings"
  4. Under "General" tab, find "Safe Search"
  5. Select:
    • Strict: Filters explicit content (recommended)
    • Moderate: Some filtering
    • Off: No filtering
  6. Settings save automatically
Limitation: DuckDuckGo doesn't offer account-based locking. Settings are stored in browser cookies, which can be easily cleared. Use DNS filtering for enforcement.

🌐 Other Search Engines

Yahoo (uses Bing)

  1. Go to yahoo.com
  2. Settings → Preferences
  3. SafeSearch options (same as Bing)
  4. Select Strict filtering

Brave Search

  1. Open Brave browser
  2. Settings → Search engine
  3. Manage search engines
  4. Brave Search settings → Enable SafeSearch

Ecosia

  1. Visit ecosia.org
  2. Settings
  3. Enable "Safe search"

🔒 Enforcement Strategies

1. Supervised Accounts (Best)

  • Google Family Link for Android and supervised Google accounts
  • Microsoft Family Safety for Windows and Microsoft services
  • Apple Family Sharing with Screen Time for Safari

Pros: Works across devices, can't be easily disabled, centrally managed

Cons: Requires account setup, may have age restrictions

2. DNS Filtering (Recommended)

  • OpenDNS, CleanBrowsing, or NextDNS
  • Automatically forces SafeSearch on Google, Bing, and YouTube
  • Network-wide protection

Pros: No account needed, works on all devices, hard to bypass

Cons: Requires router or device DNS configuration

See our DNS Filtering Guide for setup

3. Device-Level Controls

  • iOS Screen Time website restrictions
  • Android parental controls
  • Windows Family Safety
  • macOS Parental Controls

Pros: Device travels with protections

Cons: Must configure each device

4. Browser-Level Extensions

  • Force SafeSearch extensions
  • SafeSearch enforcement add-ons
  • Parental control browser extensions

Pros: Easy to install

Cons: Only works in one browser, easily bypassed, extensions can be disabled

Layered Approach: Combine multiple methods for best protection. For example: DNS filtering (network) + supervised account (portable) + device controls (backup).

✅ Testing SafeSearch

Verify It's Working

  1. Google Test

    Search for potentially explicit terms. Results should be filtered. The search results page should show "SafeSearch is on" message at the top right.

  2. Image Search Test

    Use Google Images to search. Explicit images should be blocked or heavily filtered.

  3. Bing Test

    Check search settings show "Strict" and explicit results don't appear.

  4. Check Lock Status

    Try to disable SafeSearch. If properly locked, you won't be able to turn it off without admin credentials.

Working correctly? SafeSearch should display a notice that it's enabled and filter explicit images/videos. Some text results may still appear but shouldn't contain graphic content.

❓ Common Questions

Does SafeSearch block all inappropriate content?

No. SafeSearch significantly reduces explicit content but isn't 100% effective. New content is constantly created, and algorithms aren't perfect. It's a helpful layer but should be combined with other protections like DNS filtering and monitoring.

Can tech-savvy children bypass SafeSearch?

Yes, if not properly enforced. Simply enabling it in settings can be undone in seconds. That's why enforcement through supervised accounts or DNS filtering is essential. Never rely on browser-level SafeSearch alone.

Does SafeSearch slow down searches?

No. The performance impact is negligible. SafeSearch filtering happens in milliseconds and doesn't noticeably affect search speed.

Will SafeSearch block educational content?

Occasionally, legitimate educational content about health, anatomy, or art may be filtered. Most search engines allow you to report false positives. Consider using supervised accounts where you can approve specific searches or sites when needed.

Does SafeSearch work in Incognito/Private mode?

It depends on enforcement method:

  • Browser settings: Usually doesn't work in private mode
  • Supervised account: Works in all modes
  • DNS filtering: Works everywhere, including private browsing

This is another reason to use DNS or account-based enforcement.

Do I need SafeSearch if I have other filtering?

Yes! SafeSearch is free, easy, and adds an extra layer. Even with comprehensive DNS filtering or parental control software, enabling SafeSearch provides defense-in-depth. There's no downside to having it on.

⚖️ Pros & Cons of SafeSearch

✅ Advantages

  • Completely free
  • Takes less than 10 minutes to set up
  • Built into major search engines
  • No software to install
  • Minimal performance impact
  • Easy to understand and explain
  • Works on all devices with enforcement
  • Filters images, videos, and websites
  • Good first layer of protection

❌ Limitations

  • Not 100% effective
  • Easily disabled without enforcement
  • Only filters search results, not websites themselves
  • Doesn't block inappropriate sites directly entered
  • May occasionally over-filter legitimate content
  • Doesn't provide time limits or usage reports
  • Doesn't work on all search engines consistently
  • Can be bypassed with VPNs or alternative search engines