Can you reduce "People Also Search" suggestions? If you've ever clicked on a Google result, hit the back button, and been greeted by a box of related search suggestions that shifts the entire page around, you already know how distracting this feature can be. It's one of those small annoyances that adds up over time, especially if you search dozens of times a day.
The short answer is: you can't fully remove these suggestions through Google's own settings, but there are several practical workarounds that significantly reduce or hide them. In this post I'll walk through exactly what "People Also Search For" is, how it differs from "People Also Ask," and the most effective methods to minimize these suggestions — from browser extensions and privacy settings to switching your default search engine entirely.
① 🔍 What Are "People Also Search For" Suggestions?
"People Also Search For" (often abbreviated as PASF) is a Google SERP feature that shows a row of related search queries. It typically appears in two situations: at the bottom of the search results page as a list of related topics, or — more annoyingly — as a drop-down box that expands right below a result you just clicked when you hit the back button. That second version is the one most people find frustrating because it physically shifts the search results and makes you accidentally click the wrong link.
Google generates these suggestions dynamically based on what other users commonly search after entering a similar query. The feature is designed to help users refine their search, but for many people it just adds visual clutter and disrupts the flow of browsing. Unlike a setting you can toggle off in your account, PASF is baked into Google's search results page itself, which is why reducing it requires workarounds rather than a simple switch.
The suggestions are partly personalized too. Google uses your search history, location, and past click behavior to tailor which related queries appear. This means two people searching the same term might see slightly different PASF suggestions, and clearing your search history can change what shows up — though it won't remove the box entirely.
② ⚖️ "People Also Search For" vs. "People Also Ask" — Key Differences
These two features look similar at first glance, but they work quite differently. "People Also Ask" (PAA) appears as a series of expandable questions usually placed in the middle of the search results. When you click a question, it expands to show a short answer snippet pulled from a website. "People Also Search For" (PASF), on the other hand, shows a list of related keywords or topics — clicking one doesn't show an answer but instead starts an entirely new search for that term.
In my experience, people tend to confuse the two and end up searching for how to remove the wrong one. If the thing bothering you is a box of questions with expandable answers in the middle of the page, that's PAA. If it's a row of related search terms that appears after you click back, or a list of keywords at the bottom of the page, that's PASF. The methods to block them overlap somewhat, but it helps to know which one you're targeting.
| Feature |
People Also Ask (PAA) |
People Also Search For (PASF) |
| Format |
Expandable questions with answer snippets |
List of related keywords or topics |
| Location on page |
Middle of search results |
Below a clicked result or bottom of page |
| Click behavior |
Shows an answer inline |
Starts a new search |
| Main annoyance |
Takes up space in results |
Shifts the page layout when you navigate back |
| Can be blocked? |
Yes, with extensions |
Yes, with extensions |
Both features are generated by Google's algorithm and neither has an official "off" switch in your Google account settings. The practical options below will work for either or both, depending on how you set them up.
③ 🧩 Browser Extensions That Block These Suggestions
The most effective way to reduce "People Also Search" suggestions is through browser extensions that hide specific elements on the search results page. Here are the main options depending on your browser.
uBlock Origin Lite (Chrome / Manifest V3) — The original uBlock Origin was the go-to solution for years, but Google's transition to Manifest V3 in Chrome means the classic version no longer works for most Chrome users as of mid-2025. The replacement is uBlock Origin Lite, a Manifest V3-compatible version. It still supports custom filters, though with slightly reduced capabilities. You can add a custom filter to hide the PASF box by going to the extension's dashboard, navigating to "My Filters," and adding filter rules that target the PASF elements on Google's search page.
uBlock Origin (Firefox) — If you use Firefox, the full version of uBlock Origin still works perfectly. Firefox continues to support Manifest V2 extensions, making it the best browser for this kind of customization. You can use the element picker (right-click on the PASF box, select "Block element") to create a one-click filter that hides it permanently.
Dedicated extensions — There are smaller, single-purpose extensions like "Remove People Also Search For" that do exactly one thing: hide the PASF box. These tend to be lightweight and easy to install, but check reviews and update dates before installing — some haven't been maintained since the Manifest V3 transition.
💡 Quick Tip
If you're on Chrome and frustrated by extension limitations, consider switching to Firefox or Brave — both still support the full uBlock Origin and give you more control over what appears on search result pages.
④ ⚙️ Google Privacy Settings That Reduce Personalization
While you can't turn off "People Also Search For" through Google settings, you can reduce how personalized those suggestions are. Since PASF results are partly based on your search history and activity, limiting what Google knows about your behavior can make the suggestions less targeted — and in some cases less frequent.
Step 1: Turn off Web & App Activity. Go to your Google Account, navigate to Data & Privacy, and find "Web & App Activity." Toggle it off or set it to auto-delete after 3 months. This stops Google from using your browsing history to personalize search results and suggestions. According to Google's own documentation, deleted activity is immediately removed from view and no longer used to personalize your experience.
Step 2: Turn off search personalization. In Google Search Settings, look for the personalization toggle. When turned off, Google stops tailoring results based on your past searches. The PASF box may still appear, but the suggestions inside it become more generic rather than based on your individual behavior.
Step 3: Delete your search history. Go to myactivity.google.com and delete your past search activity. You can delete everything at once or filter by date range. This won't remove the PASF box itself, but it resets the data Google uses to generate personalized suggestions.
Step 4: Use Incognito Mode. Searching in Incognito or Private Browsing mode means Google doesn't have access to your logged-in account data. The PASF suggestions still appear, but they're based on the general query rather than your personal history. This is a quick workaround when you don't want to change any permanent settings.
⚠️ Important Note
None of these settings will fully remove the PASF box. They reduce personalization, which can make the suggestions less invasive, but the feature itself is part of Google's search results page and cannot be disabled through account settings alone.
⑤ 🔄 Alternative Search Engines with Fewer Suggestions
 |
| DuckDuckGo, Brave, Startpage — cleaner results without the PASF clutter.
|
If the PASF and PAA boxes bother you enough to consider leaving Google, there are alternative search engines that take a cleaner, less cluttered approach to search results.
DuckDuckGo is the most popular privacy-focused alternative. It doesn't track your search history at all, which means no personalized suggestions. It does show some related topics at the bottom of results, but they're far less aggressive than Google's PASF feature and don't shift the page when you navigate back. The results quality has improved significantly in recent years, though it still falls short of Google for very specific or local queries.
Brave Search offers a similar privacy-first approach with its own independent index. The results page is clean and minimal, with no expanding suggestion boxes. It also includes a "Goggles" feature that lets you customize how results are ranked — something no other major search engine offers.
Startpage gives you Google's actual search results but without the tracking and with a much cleaner interface. Think of it as a privacy layer on top of Google. You still get high-quality results but without the PASF boxes, AI overviews, and other SERP features that clutter Google's own page. For people who want Google-quality results without the visual noise, Startpage is worth trying.
Switching your default search engine takes about 30 seconds in any browser. In Chrome, go to Settings, then Search Engine, and select your preferred option from the dropdown. In Firefox, go to Settings, then Search, and change the default. You can always switch back if the results don't meet your needs.
⑥ 📊 Method Comparison — Which Option Fits You Best?
Here's a side-by-side comparison of every method covered in this post so you can pick the one that matches your comfort level and technical skill.
| Method |
Effectiveness |
Difficulty |
Works On |
Removes PASF? |
| uBlock Origin (Firefox) |
Very high |
Easy |
Firefox only |
Yes, fully |
| uBlock Origin Lite (Chrome) |
High |
Moderate |
Chrome |
Yes, with custom filters |
| Dedicated PASF extension |
High |
Very easy |
Chrome / Firefox |
Yes, PASF only |
| Google privacy settings |
Low–Medium |
Easy |
All browsers |
No — reduces personalization only |
| Incognito Mode |
Low |
Very easy |
All browsers |
No — depersonalizes only |
| DuckDuckGo / Brave / Startpage |
Very high |
Easy |
All browsers |
Yes — no PASF exists |
For most people, I'd suggest starting with the simplest option that matches your browser. If you're on Firefox, install uBlock Origin and use the element picker — it takes about two minutes and the PASF box is gone permanently. If you're on Chrome, try uBlock Origin Lite or a dedicated extension. And if you'd rather avoid extensions altogether, switching to DuckDuckGo or Startpage as your default search engine eliminates the problem at the source.
⑦ ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Is there a Google setting to turn off "People Also Search For"?
No. As of now, Google does not offer an official toggle to disable PASF suggestions. The feature is embedded in the search results page and cannot be turned off through account settings. Browser extensions are the only way to fully hide it.
Q2. Does Incognito Mode remove the PASF box?
No. The PASF box still appears in Incognito Mode. However, the suggestions are less personalized because Google doesn't have access to your logged-in account data. It's a partial workaround, not a full solution.
Q3. Does uBlock Origin still work on Chrome?
The original uBlock Origin (Manifest V2) has been disabled on Chrome as of mid-2025 due to Google's transition to Manifest V3. The replacement is uBlock Origin Lite, which has reduced capabilities but still supports custom cosmetic filters that can hide PASF elements. For full uBlock Origin functionality, Firefox remains the best option.
Q4. Will deleting my Google search history remove PASF suggestions?
Deleting your history won't remove the PASF box itself, but it can change which suggestions appear inside it. With less personal data to draw from, the suggestions become more generic rather than tailored to your browsing patterns.
Q5. Does DuckDuckGo have a "People Also Search For" feature?
DuckDuckGo shows "Related Searches" at the bottom of results, but it's a simple text list — no expanding boxes, no page-shifting behavior, and no personalization. It's far less intrusive than Google's PASF implementation.
Q6. Can I block PASF on mobile?
It's much harder on mobile. Most mobile browsers don't support extensions. Your best options are using Firefox Mobile (which supports uBlock Origin) or switching to DuckDuckGo's mobile app. On iOS, you can also use Safari with a content blocker that targets Google's SERP elements.
Q7. Is it worth switching browsers just to block these suggestions?
If PASF is your only issue, switching browsers might be overkill. Try a lightweight extension first. But if you're also frustrated by AI overviews, excessive ads, and other Google SERP clutter, switching to Firefox or Brave gives you far more control over your search experience overall.
Q8. Can website owners control whether their site appears in PASF?
No. Website owners cannot opt in or out of PASF results. The suggestions are generated entirely by Google's algorithm based on user behavior patterns. You can influence related entity associations through structured data and Wikidata entries, but you cannot directly control what appears in the PASF box.
📌 Key Takeaway — 3 Sentences
1. Google has no official setting to disable "People Also Search For" suggestions — browser extensions are the most effective way to hide them.
2. uBlock Origin on Firefox or uBlock Origin Lite on Chrome can fully remove the PASF box with custom filters.
3. For a zero-clutter experience without extensions, switching to DuckDuckGo, Brave Search, or Startpage eliminates the feature entirely.
The "People Also Search For" box is one of those features that seems helpful in theory but annoys a lot of people in practice. The page-shifting behavior alone is enough to make anyone look for a way to turn it off. Unfortunately, Google hasn't given users a simple switch — but that doesn't mean you're stuck with it.
Whether you go with a browser extension, tweak your privacy settings, or switch to a different search engine, you have practical options to take back control of your search results page. The right choice depends on how much the feature bothers you and how much you're willing to change your setup.
If you've been wondering whether you can reduce "People Also Search" suggestions, the answer is yes — and the best part is that most of these solutions take less than five minutes to set up. Pick the one that fits your workflow, and enjoy a cleaner search experience.
Which method are you going to try first? Let me know in the comments!
⚠️ This post was written with AI assistance, combined with personal experience and independent research. Features and settings may change as Google updates its platform.
✍️ E-E-A-T Information
Author: White Dawn
Experience: Daily use of browser privacy tools and search engine alternatives for cleaner browsing
References: Google Support documentation, uBlock Origin project, Chrome Manifest V3 documentation, StackExchange community answers
Published: February 26, 2026
Updated: February 26, 2026
Comments
Post a Comment