How to Remove News and Clutter from Your Google Homepage and Search Experience

By Emily WilsonLast Updated June 27, 2025

Introduction

Many users find the presence of news articles, suggested stories, and other clutter on their Google homepage and within their search experience to be distracting and counterproductive. Whether you use Google on a desktop browser or on your mobile device, there are ways to minimize or entirely remove these news feeds and suggested articles. This guide provides comprehensive, actionable steps-backed by recent tutorials and user experiences-to help you create a cleaner, more focused Google environment.

Understanding Google’s News and Discover Features

Google integrates news recommendations and suggested content in several ways. On desktop, you may encounter news widgets or feeds on the Google.com homepage, especially if you’re logged in. On mobile devices, the Google Discover feed-which appears to the left of the home screen or within the Google app-can display a steady stream of news articles and suggested content. These features are designed to keep users engaged, but they may not align with everyone’s preferences for a streamlined, distraction-free browsing experience.

Removing News from the Google Homepage on Desktop

If you access Google using Chrome or another browser on your computer, you might notice news modules or suggestions on the homepage. While Google does not always provide a universal ‘off’ switch for all users, you can take several steps to minimize or remove these distractions:

Customize Homepage Shortcuts and Widgets: The most effective method for removing news and widget clutter is to directly customize your homepage settings. Open Google Chrome on your desktop and look for the Customize or Edit button (often found at the bottom right of the homepage). Here, you can choose which widgets or cards to display. Disable or remove any news-related widgets to clean up your homepage. This process may vary depending on browser updates, so look for options labeled ‘News,’ ‘Discover,’ or ‘Suggestions’ to turn them off. If you do not see these options, your homepage may already be at its minimal setting [2] .
Manage Notifications: If you are receiving news notifications through Chrome, you can disable these by accessing Chrome settings. Click the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, select Settings , then go to Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Notifications . Under ‘Default Behavior,’ select ‘Don’t allow sites to send notifications.’ Additionally, review the list of sites allowed to send notifications and block or remove any news sources [1] . This blocks pop-ups and alerts from news providers directly within Chrome.
Consider Extensions: While this guide does not recommend specific browser extensions by name due to frequent changes and varying reliability, many reputable extensions are available in the Chrome Web Store that can further declutter your homepage by blocking specific elements. Always verify the extension’s ratings, reviews, and permissions before installing.

Disabling Google Discover and News Feed on Android Devices

On Android devices, the Google Discover feed is typically accessed by swiping right from the home screen or opening the Google app. If you wish to remove or disable this feature, follow these steps:

Disable Discover on Home Screen: Tap and hold an empty area on your home screen until the customization menu appears. Select Home Settings (the exact name may vary by device and Android version). Look for an option such as ‘Show Google App,’ ‘Show Discover,’ or ‘Add media page to Home screen.’ Toggle this option off. This method works on devices from Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, and others, though menu labels may differ slightly [3] [5] .
Turn Off Discover in Google App: Open the Google app, tap your profile icon (top right), select Settings , then General . Find the Discover toggle and switch it off. This prevents the app from showing you news and story cards on its main page.
Customize Feed Preferences: If you prefer to refine rather than remove news content, you can manage your interests, hide specific topics, or block sources. Within the Discover feed, tap the three-dot menu next to an article to see options like ‘Not interested in this story’ or ‘Don’t show stories from [source].’ This customizes your feed to better suit your preferences, though it does not eliminate news entirely.

Note that some device manufacturers may embed their own versions of news feeds. If these steps do not remove the news, consult your device’s support resources for model-specific instructions.

How to Remove News from Google Search Results

Google Search often displays a ‘Top stories’ box or news panel when searching for trending topics or current events. While you cannot fully remove this feature, you can minimize its impact:

Use Specific Search Queries: Avoid triggering news panels by phrasing searches to focus on non-news content. For example, add terms like ‘Wikipedia,’ ‘how-to,’ or ‘forum’ to your query. This nudges Google to prioritize informational or community-driven results over news stories.
Switch to the ‘All’ or ‘Web’ Tab: When a search returns news stories by default, manually select the ‘All’ or ‘Web’ tab (if available) to view a broader selection of results, not just news.
Use Alternative Search Engines: Consider using privacy-focused search engines such as DuckDuckGo or Startpage for a less news-centric experience. While these will not eliminate news from Google, they offer alternative approaches for users seeking a cleaner search environment.

Currently, Google does not offer a built-in way to permanently hide news panels from all search results. You may provide user feedback to Google requesting more granular control over search result layouts by scrolling to the bottom of a search page and selecting ‘Send feedback.’

Practical Examples and Real-World Applications

Consider the case of a professional who uses Google Chrome as their default homepage at work and finds news widgets distracting. By using the Chrome settings outlined above, they can successfully block notifications and remove homepage widgets, resulting in improved concentration and fewer interruptions. Similarly, an Android phone user who prefers a minimalist home screen can use the ‘Home Settings’ method to disable the Discover feed, ensuring that only critical apps and information remain visible. These changes are easily reversible-users can restore news content by retracing their steps if desired.

Potential Challenges and Solutions

Some users may encounter variations in menu names or options depending on their device manufacturer, Android version, or browser updates. If you do not see the exact settings described, look for similar terms such as ‘News,’ ‘Discover,’ or ‘Feeds’ within your device or app settings. In rare cases, manufacturer-specific news feeds may require separate steps-consult your phone’s official support site for details.

Another challenge is that Google occasionally updates its homepage and app layouts, which can relocate or relabel customization options. If you cannot find a specific setting, search for the latest instructions using keywords such as ‘disable Google Discover [your device model]’ or ‘remove news from Google homepage [browser name].’ Video tutorials on platforms like YouTube are frequently updated and can provide visual, step-by-step walkthroughs for the most current versions [1] [2] .

Alternative Approaches and Additional Tips

Besides disabling built-in features, users may also:

Log Out of Google Account: Some news personalization is tied to your Google account. Logging out can reduce personalized news feeds, though some generic suggestions may remain.
Clear Browsing Data: Removing cookies and site data may reset homepage preferences, potentially removing old news widgets. Access this through Chrome’s ‘Privacy and Security’ settings.
Provide Feedback to Google: Use the ‘Send feedback’ option on Google.com or in the Google App to request more robust controls for news and homepage content. Increased user demand can influence future feature updates.

Summary and Key Takeaways

While Google does not always offer a single universal switch to remove all news content from its homepage and search, users have multiple effective tools at their disposal. By customizing homepage widgets, disabling notifications, and adjusting Android home screen settings, you can significantly reduce or eliminate unwanted news feeds. Stay attentive to updates and explore video tutorials for the latest guidance. For those seeking a distraction-free online environment, these methods provide practical pathways to a streamlined Google experience.