Most modern browsers use the URL bar as a dual-purpose search bar. This allows you to skip the process of browsing to your preferred search engine before you can type your search query. Instead, you can type whatever you want directly in the URL bar, URLs and search queries are both fine.
One of the things that search engines do is suggest potential searches as you type your search query. These suggested searches are based on your search/internet history and off of what other users searched for when typing similar queries.
Browsers often suggest URLs that you may want to browse to again based off of your internet history. They also include search suggestions. You may not want your browser to suggest searches or websites, however. If you don’t, you can disable the feature via the in-app settings.
To be able to access the in-app settings, you first need to tap the triple-dot icon in the top-right corner of the app.
Next, tap “Settings”, which will be second from the bottom of the drop-down menu, to open the in-app settings.
Once in the settings, tap “Privacy” to access the privacy settings.
You can disable search and site predictions by unticking the checkbox for “Search and site suggestions”, which will disable both features. Unfortunately, there is no way to enable one but not the other. If you only want one, you will have to decide if you prefer having both or neither enabled.
Tip: You may also want to disable “Use page predictions”. This setting preloads certain webpages that the browser predicts you would click on. Disabling this setting would be helpful if you’re on a particularly tight monthly data cap.
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