How To Turn Off Watch History on TikTok: Guard Your Privacy

Profile photo ofCarolyn Howell, author

Carolyn Howell

Last Updated: May 21, 2024

TikTok Tips
Want More Real TikTok Followers?

Being a TikTok influencer involves more than just making videos. It also involves understanding and managing your TikTok account. Thus, knowing how to turn off watch history on TikTok becomes vital.

Your TikTok watch history grows as you explore videos on your “For You” page. While it helps get motivation, turning it is vital to take charge of your TikTok account. So, in this guide, we will explore how to turn off watch history on TikTok in 2023. Keep reading to learn more!

An Influencer trying to turn off watch history on TikTok.

What Is Watch History on TikTok?

Before delving into how to turn off watch history on TikTok, it is crucial to understand your TikTok watch history. Basically, it is a record of your journey through the endless ocean of videos on the platform. When you watch a video on TikTok, the TikTok algorithm adds it to your watch history. This feature lets you keep track of the content you’ve engaged with.

It is useful when you’re looking for a past video view but can’t remember the creator’s username. Instead of scrolling endlessly, you can simply check your watch history. It also determines TikTok’s video recommendations and customizes your “For You” page to your interests. Here’s how to see your watch history on TikTok:

  • Step 1: Open the TikTok app on your phone and select “Profile” in the bottom bar.
  • Step 2: Tap the three horizontal or vertical lines at the top-right corner and choose “Settings and Privacy” in the menu.
  • Step 3: Select “Comment and Watch History” In the “Content & Display” section.

Your watch history page will display video views for the past 180 days. If you’d like to play a video on this list, tap it, and it will begin to play.

But here’s the thing: Only you can see your watch history. Other users, including your followers, can’t see it. It’s like your video’s memory book, where TikTok adds every video you watch. You may wonder, “Why bother turning it off if only I can see it.” For many reasons, you should know how to turn off watch history on TikTok. Let’s find out.

A switch with the “off” description.

4 Reasons Influencers Should Learn How To Turn Off Watch History on TikTok

While TikTok watch history is private and invisible to other viewers, there are still reasons to turn it off. Here are five reasons influencers should learn how to turn off watch history on TikTok:

  1. Frees You From TikTok Algorithm

Even though others can not see your watch history, TikTok’s algorithm uses it to suggest new content for you. Turning it off helps you break free from the algorithm’s influence and explore videos in different TikTok niches.

  1. Gives More Privacy

You can keep your viewing habits private by turning off TikTok watch history. This prevents accidental leaks of your viewing history and removes any privacy concerns.

  1. Opens Up Creativity

Each influencer has a unique way of making videos. Turning off watch history lets you discover your creative ideas. It stops other videos you watch from affecting you too much. This helps you to be unique and shine among other creators.

  1. More Discoveries

Turning off your watch history makes you explore a broader range of content. This means you’ll interact with different videos and discover new things. You can gain inspiration from top TikTok influencers by going on a treasure hunt for fantastic content.

Overall, learning how to turn off watch history on TikTok has many advantages. It allows you to watch whatever you like without the TikTok algorithm’s influence. It also helps you shape your TikTok experience how you want it!

How To Turn Off Watch History on TikTok in 2023

Thankfully, you now know why you should learn how to turn off your watch history on TikTok. Note that TikTok changes its features over time, so here’s how to turn off watch history on TikTok in 2023:

  • Step 1: Ensure you have the latest version of the TikTok app on your mobile device and log in to your account.
  • Step 2: Tap the “Profile” icon at the bottom right corner of your screen. This will take you to your profile page.
  • Step 3: Click the three horizontal or vertical lines (Android or iPhone) at the top right corner of your profile page. A list of options will appear.
  • Step 4: Choose “Settings & Privacy.” Then,  select “Comment and watch history” from the options.
  • Step 5: Toggle the icon at the top right corner to turn off the watch history feature.

And that’s it! You now know how to turn off watch history on TikTok. However, remember that there won’t be a record of your video views again. You can turn it on again anytime you like. So feel free to experiment and see what works best for you as you create and explore more videos.

An influencer launching the TikTok app on his smartphone.

Are There Consequences of Turning off TikTok Watch History?

Many influencers usually wonder if there are consequences of turning off their TikTok watch history. Knowing how to turn off watch history on TikTok has many benefits but has some downsides. Here are some disadvantages of turning off the watch history feature on TikTok:

  1. Missing Out on Helpful Suggestions

Your watch history helps TikTok’s algorithm understand what you like and uses it to suggest videos for you to watch. However, the algorithm loses this power when you turn it off. When this occurs, videos from people you like will not appear on your  “For You” page. Thus, you can miss out on content you like as well as helpful suggestions. 

  1. Noticing Trends Might Be Harder

TikTok is a platform where trends change in a blink of an eye. Watching trend-related videos can help you stay current and create content that your TikTok audience likes. However, noticing new TikTok trends will be more challenging if you turn off your watch history. You won’t be aware of emerging trends and lose the opportunity to participate in popular challenges.

  1. Sticking to the Same Style

You can gain exposure to various content when going through your watch history. For instance, if you enjoy dancing, checking your history helps you visit your previous video views on dance. You can mix the styles in those videos to make your own content. If you turn it off, you may forget to try different styles, and your videos could start looking similar.

That’s it! You now know the consequences of knowing how to turn off watch history on TikTok. While turning it off provides privacy benefits, it may limit your access to new trends and helpful suggestions. So, is there an alternative to turning off watch history? Let’s find out.

How To Turn Off Watch History on TikTok: Is There an Alternative?

When thinking of how to turn off watch history on TikTok, many users often wonder, “Is there an alternative?” Yes, there is. You can clear your history instead of turning it off.

When you turn off watch history, you can miss out on new TikTok trends and helpful suggestions from TikTok’s algorithm. Alternatively, clearing it gives you access to TikTok’s algorithm suggestion and more control over your account. It’s like deciding whether to burn your diary or just tear out old pages. Turning off your watch history means no diary. On the other hand, clearing your history is like starting a fresh diary. Here are some benefits of clearing your watch history instead of turning it off:

  1. Fresh Start with New Video

Clearing your watch history on TikTok is like hitting a reset button. The previous videos in your history will vanish and create space for fresh videos. It’s like clearing your closet for new clothes to come in.

  1. Clear All or a Few

The cool part is you can clear all your history or just a few videos. It’s as if you’re cleaning up your digital space and organizing it how you want.

  1. Tap Into Your Creativity

Clearing your watch history means TikTok won’t use your past videos to suggest new ones. Thus, it brings new suggestions and allows you to explore videos and trends without any old influences. It’s like setting out on a treasure hunt for exciting new content with TikTok.

That’s it! You now know some benefits of clearing TikTok watch history. Remember, the choice is yours. Therefore, when thinking of how to turn off watch history on TikTok, consider clearing instead.

How To Turn Off Watch History on TikTok: How to Clear Watch History on TikTok

Knowing how to turn off watch history on TikTok is essential to maintain privacy. However, clearing it is a better alternative. Doing this helps you start afresh and make your experience more personalized and private. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clear your watch history on TikTok:

  • Step 1: Open the TikTok app on your device and log into your account.
  • Step 2: Tap on your profile icon at the screen’s bottom right corner to access your profile page.
  • Step 3: Click the three vertical or horizontal lines at the top right corner of your profile page. 
  • Step 4: Click “Settings & Privacy” and select “Comment and watch history” from the options.
  • Step 5: Click “Select” at the top right corner of your page and choose the videos you want to clear. You can also clear all by selecting all the videos in your history when deleting.

That’s it! You now know how to turn off watch history on TikTok and clear them. It’s also essential to reset your TikTok “For You” page after clearing your watch history on TikTok. This helps the TikTok algorithm suggest new videos relevant to your niche. Let’s see how you can do that!

How To Turn Off Watch History on TikTok: 4 Steps To Reset TikTok “For You” Page

Resetting your “For You” page for a fresh start after clearing your watch history is vital. This will allow you to explore new content and add new videos to your history. Here are four steps to reset TikTok “For You” page.

  • Step 1: Go to your profile page on TikTok
  • Step 2: Tap the three lines at the screens’ upper right corner. 
  • Step 3: Choose “Settings and Privacy” and tap “Content Preferences” from the options. 
  • Step 4: Refresh your “For You” feed. Tap “Continue” and “Refresh.” Then, TikTok will now recommend new videos to you.

Congratulations! You now know how to turn off watch history on TikTok and clear them. Additionally, you know how to reset your “For You” page on TikTok for a fresh start. So, start exploring new videos to stay current on new trends!

How To Turn Off Watch History on TikTok: 3 Tips To Optimize Watch History

Fortunately, you know how to turn off watch history on TikTok and how to clear your watch history. However, it is important to optimize your watch history if you choose to turn it off instead of clearing it. Optimizing your history before turning it off ensures maximizing benefits from your past views. Here are three tips to optimize watch history on TikTok before turning it off.

  1. Review Your History and Save Your Favorites

Before you turn off watch history, go through your existing history. Look for videos that align with your interests and can help you when creating new content. If you find videos that inspire or relate to your niche, save them to your favorites. This way, you can still access these videos for reference or inspiration.

  1. Save Relevant Hashtags and Sounds

Save relevant TikTok hashtags and popular TikTok songs. This can give TikTok additional hints about your interests, leading to more accurate recommendations after turning off your watch history.

  1. Check For and Follow Relevant Creators

Check your watch history for creators whose content you like. Following influencers with a similar niche can enhance the quality of content suggestions, even after turning off your history.

You now know how to turn off watch history on TikTok and optimize it. By optimizing it, you’re leaving behind a map of your interests for the TikTok algorithm to follow.

An influencer smiling happily at his phone.

Manage and Grow Your TikTok Presence With High Social

TikTok is not just about creating cool videos. It also involves managing your TikTok account effectively, which includes knowing how to turn off watch history on TikTok. Turning it off provides a level of privacy, but it has some downsides. You can miss trends and helpful suggestions from the TikTok algorithm by turning it off.

However, you can clear your watch history instead of turning it off. This option allows the TikTok algorithm to suggest new content and helps you stay current on trends. You can also choose to delete some or all the videos in your history and revisit your favorite ones.

Thankfully, you now know how to turn off watch history on TikTok. It is equally vital to take your follower count seriously. Focusing on organic growth helps you build authentic connections with your audience. It enables you to attract real followers who appreciate your content, ensuring you get instant TikTok likes and views. As such, consider partnering with an experienced growth agency to help you gain more followers organically.

Interestingly, High Social stands tall as a reputable organic growth agency that connects you with your target audience. With High Social, you can expand your reach, get more followers, build engagement, and shine like the star you are. Start growing your audience today.

TikTok Tips