Google Won't Let Some Searchers Turn Off "Safe Search" Filter

Google has a search preference that allows a searcher to define how strict the adult filter should be. It is called Safe Search and I think it was originally designed by Matt Cutts.

In any event, I am seeing dozens of reports of the Safe Search filter getting "stuck." The largest standalone thread is at Google Web Search forums which describes the issue as users not being able to remove the safe search preference to something more lax.

Google Employee Skylar confirmed the issue in the thread and said they are looking into a fix. Skylar said:

Thanks for mentioning SafeSearch's odd behavior today. Several other people also commented on the same issue. I've passed this post, along with a few others, to our team so they can take a closer look at this.
If anyone has more to add about SafeSearch not sticking, please include information about what kind of computer you have, what browsers are you seeing this problem in, what troubleshooters you've tried, and whether you have any filtering software. It will help me to best figure out what's happening here.

At about 2:30am (EST), this morning, Google seemed to have fixed the issue. I am not sure what caused it, because Google has not yet confirmed the fix, but we have at least two reports saying that issue is now resolved.

Forum discussion at Google Web Search.

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posted rustybrick in Google Search Engine at February 3, 2009 8:07 AM Comments (20)

Comments

my google safesearch is stuck and willnot turn off. i dont see anything on here that will help me with the problem

Posted by aatika at February 14, 2009 22:18

My google safe search is stuck on and I can't figure out how to turn it off

Posted by ron elsasser at March 8, 2009 17:12

I am not able to turn off safesearch

Posted by Harry at March 21, 2009 12:10

I had this problem for ages - my issue was I was running K9 and this forces all browers into safe mode. Turn off and all is OK

Posted by cix at March 25, 2009 10:50

Safesearch is still stuck on my Google.

Posted by Brit at April 26, 2009 03:12

I didn't even turn Safe Search on! I can't seem to get it off. I need step by step by step instructions.

Posted by Sarah Menefee at May 16, 2009 19:53

mine won't turn off

Posted by sakura at May 20, 2009 20:45

i can't search for porn now :(

Posted by aa111 at May 28, 2009 13:22

I am not able to turn off google safe search

Posted by clethus archie at May 29, 2009 15:31

Why can't I send a message directly to someone who will hear it? I have been trying to take "safe search" off my google filtering for what seems like a lifetime. I am getting so mad that I am about to take google off my computer altogether.

Posted by caroline at May 30, 2009 11:23

Does Google care? I don't think so.

Posted by caroline at May 30, 2009 11:24

Real bull$h*t I can't see any more naked women I didn't even turn this crap on I'm just a black dominican horny man that loves beautiful naked white,hispanic,arab and black women and watching them get pounded out why is this so hard to ask for.... Huh GOOGLE to hell with you :-p

Posted by messiah the 9inch master at May 31, 2009 14:39

To Everyone:

Quiz your Windows / Anti-virus program to evaluate whether cookies are being blocked.

Posted by Rob Abdul at June 1, 2009 06:47

My safe search filter is stuck on

Posted by Michael Enfantino at July 25, 2009 03:09

my damn safe search wont fucking come off

Posted by brianna at July 26, 2009 08:05

i have been up all nite trying to take safe search off my toshiba laptop but i cant see anything that can help me

Posted by levi at September 23, 2009 10:17

Google safe search still stuck
I cant see any thing that will help

Posted by Les hat at September 25, 2009 05:01