Yes. When you're signed in, Bing saves your searches to your Microsoft account, where you can see them in the Microsoft privacy dashboard. When you're signed out, it keeps a list of recent searches linked to a cookie in your browser. Separately, Microsoft keeps search logs to run the service and de-identifies them over time.
Signed in vs. signed out
| Signed in (Microsoft account) | Signed out | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it's saved | Your Microsoft account | A Bing cookie on that browser |
| Visible on | Every device using the account | That browser only |
| How to see it | bing.com/profile/history or the privacy dashboard | bing.com/profile/history in the same browser |
| How to remove it | Privacy dashboard > Clear all search history | Clear all on the history page, or clear cookies |
What Bing saves with each search
According to the Microsoft Privacy Statement, Bing collects the search terms you enter along with details such as your IP address, approximate location, the identifiers in its cookies, the time of the search and your browser settings. Your visible history shows the searches themselves; the rest is used behind the scenes to return results, fight spam and fraud, and improve the service.
What is not in your Bing search history
- Pages you browse. Those are in your browser's history (and in Edge's browsing history on the dashboard if you sync it).
- Copilot conversations. Kept in your Copilot chat list. See Copilot chat history.
- Searches inside Microsoft apps such as Word. Microsoft notes these don't appear on the history page.
- Private-window searches made while signed out.
Why Bing keeps it
- To let you find past searches again.
- To personalize suggestions and results.
- To personalize ads, if you haven't turned that off in your Microsoft account.
- To keep the service secure and improve it.
You're in control
- See it: check your Bing history.
- Remove it: delete Bing history.
- Stop it: turn Bing search history off.
- Understand retention: how long Bing keeps it.
Frequently asked questions
Does Bing store history if I'm not signed in?
Yes, a list of recent searches is linked to a cookie in your browser. It isn't tied to your Microsoft account and disappears when you clear that cookie.
Does Bing store my history in InPrivate mode?
Your searches aren't added to a history you can see, and the browser forgets the session. Microsoft still receives each search in order to answer it.
Does Bing sell my search history?
Microsoft says it doesn't sell personal data. It does use data to personalize ads unless you turn personalized ads off in your account settings.