Things You Should Never Google

The internet is for everyone, but a little caution goes a long way. Some search terms lead to misleading, unpleasant, or genuinely disturbing results that can ruin your day. Here's a rundown of things best left un-Googled — and why.

Your own symptoms

Experts generally advise against Googling your current symptoms. Search results aren't always accurate, it's easy to input the wrong symptom, and you can end up more anxious than informed. Google is a search engine, not your physician — for health concerns, a real doctor is the right call.

Disturbing insects

Some insect-related searches surface images and videos that are hard to unsee. Terms involving parasitic insects, in particular, tend to produce unpleasant results. If you'd rather not think about them, it's best not to search them.

Graphic or distressing terms

A number of search terms are associated with graphic or distressing imagery. Even out of idle curiosity, these are worth avoiding — the results can linger long after the search.

Places with grim reputations

Certain locations have developed dark reputations online, often tied to unexplained events or local legends. Searching them tends to surface conspiracy theories and grim stories rather than anything useful.

The bottom line

Curiosity is natural, but the internet doesn't filter for your wellbeing. When a term seems likely to lead somewhere unpleasant, it usually does — and some things really are better left unsearched.