To delete the Frequently Visited section from the Safari start page on a Mac, uncheck the “Frequently Visited” box in the Start Page settings. This removes the section instantly, and you can also clear individual site icons or disable the feature permanently across all your Apple devices.
What Is the Frequently Visited Section?
Frequently Visited is a built-in Safari feature that shows a grid of website icons on the start page (the page you see when you open a new tab or window). Safari calculates this list from your browsing history, bookmark usage, and how often you visit specific domains. The section is designed for quick access, but many users find it cluttered or a privacy concern, especially when sharing a computer.
Unlike bookmarks, which you manually add, Frequently Visited updates automatically. It can show sites you visited only once if you have little history, or it can stubbornly keep a site you want to forget. Because it draws from your history, clearing your history also clears the list, but that is a blunt tool if you only want to hide one or two sites.
How to Remove the Entire Section
Removing the whole Frequently Visited block is the cleanest approach. It takes about ten seconds and does not delete your history or bookmarks.
- Open Safari and click the plus sign (+) in the toolbar to open a new tab.
- Scroll to the very bottom of the start page.
- Click the “Options” button in the bottom-right corner (it looks like a small toggle or slider icon).
- Uncheck the box next to “Frequently Visited.”
The section disappears immediately. If you want it back later, repeat the steps and re-check the box. This setting is saved per-device but syncs via iCloud if you have Safari turned on in iCloud settings, so changing it on your Mac may also change it on your iPhone and iPad.
How to Remove a Single Site from the List
If you want to keep the section but hide one particular site, you do not need to remove everything. Safari offers a quick shortcut:
- Control-click (right-click) the icon of the site you want to remove.
- Choose “Remove” from the context menu.
That specific icon vanishes. Safari will not show it again unless you visit that site many times in a short period. If you want to prevent a site from ever appearing, you can also use this menu to select “Remove” and then clear that site from your history. Note that there is no permanent blocklist for Frequently Visited; the algorithm will re-add a site if you visit it frequently again.
Why Does a Site Keep Coming Back?
A common frustration is removing a site only to see it return the next day. This happens because Safari’s algorithm counts visits, and a single visit after removal can be enough to re-add the site if you have little other history. The most reliable way to stop a specific site from reappearing is to clear its history entries:
- Go to History > Show All History.
- Type the site’s domain in the search field.
- Select the entries and press Delete.
This removes the history data that feeds the algorithm. However, if you visit the site again, it will eventually show up again. If you are trying to hide a site for privacy, the better long-term solution is to use Private Browsing mode for that site, so it never enters your history at all.
Using Private Browsing to Avoid the List
Private Browsing (Shift+Command+N) is a separate Safari window that does not record your history, cookies, or autofill data. Sites you visit in a private window will not appear in Frequently Visited. This is the only way to guarantee a site never appears in the section without manually removing it every time.
Keep in mind that Private Browsing does not make you anonymous to websites or your internet provider; it only prevents local storage of your activity. For a shared computer, it is the simplest way to keep your browsing habits out of the start page.
What About Other Browsers?
If you are using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge on a Mac, the process is different:
- Chrome: Open a new tab, click “Customize Chrome” (pencil icon) in the bottom-right, then under “Shortcuts” choose “My shortcuts” or “Most visited” and uncheck the toggle. You can also right-click any shortcut to remove it individually.
- Firefox: Open a new tab, click the gear icon in the “Top Sites” section, then uncheck “Top Sites” or use the “Pin” and “Remove” options on each tile.
- Edge: Open a new tab, click the gear icon, then under “Page layout” turn off “Quick links.”
Each browser stores its own data, so removing the section in Safari does not affect Chrome or Firefox.
Common Misconceptions About Frequently Visited
Many users believe that deleting a site from Frequently Visited also deletes its cookies or login information. It does not. The section is only a visual shortcut; removing an icon has no effect on stored passwords, cookies, or website data. If you want to remove a site’s data entirely, you must use Safari’s “Manage Website Data” feature, found in Settings > Privacy.
Another misconception is that clearing your entire history will make Safari faster. It may free a tiny amount of storage, but the main benefit is privacy. Clearing history does remove the Frequently Visited list, but it also logs you out of most websites and resets your browsing data. If your goal is only to clean the start page, unchecking the box is far less disruptive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing Frequently Visited delete my bookmarks?
No. The Frequently Visited section is separate from your bookmarks. Unchecking the box or removing individual icons does not affect any bookmarks you have saved. Your bookmarks remain in the Bookmarks menu and the sidebar.
Why is the Frequently Visited section not showing the Options button?
The Options button only appears when you scroll to the bottom of the start page. If you do not see it, try scrolling down further or resizing the window. On older macOS versions, the button may be a gear icon in the bottom-right corner. If you are using a very old Safari, you may need to go to Safari > Settings > General and look for the start page options.
Will removing a site from Frequently Visited stop it from tracking me?
No. The Frequently Visited list is purely a local shortcut. Removing an icon does not stop the website from tracking you via cookies or other means. If you want to reduce tracking, use Private Browsing, clear cookies, or install a content blocker.
Can I disable Frequently Visited on my iPhone the same way?
Yes. On iPhone or iPad, open Safari, tap the Tabs button, then tap the plus sign. Scroll down, tap “Edit,” and turn off “Frequently Visited.” If you have iCloud Safari sync enabled, this change will also apply to your Mac, and vice versa.
Why does the list show sites I visited weeks ago?
Safari’s algorithm considers frequency and recency, but it also keeps a long history. A site you visited twice three weeks ago might still appear if you have not visited many other sites since. The easiest fix is to remove the icon manually or clear your history for that domain.
Does using DuckDuckGo or another search engine affect the list?
No. The search engine you choose in Safari’s settings does not influence the Frequently Visited list. The list is based solely on your browsing history and site usage, regardless of which search engine you use.
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