You are using Incognito browser mode wrong: 5 pro tips you should know

Incognito mode has somehow earned a reputation it never asked for. To some, it is useless, while others treat it like a magic cloak of invisibility from The Sorcerer’s Stone, with the only difference being that this cloak helps them gain anonymity on the internet. However, none of this comes even an inch close to the actual use case of the feature.

Before this goes any further, let’s clear up the obvious misconception. Incognito mode is not a browser’s ‘do whatever you want’ setting. It was also not designed for the naughty things you think someone else is using it for, no matter how popular that joke has become. That was never the truth.

In this article, I’ll break down what incognito mode is built to do, what it was never meant to handle, and how to use it the right way. In addition to that, I’ll also share some pro tips so you can make the most out of Incognito mode on your browser.

What is incognito mode or private browsing?

Incognito mode, also known as private browsing, is simply a special browsing session that aims to protect the user’s privacy on the device they are using it on. However, the key point to note is that it doesn’t protect you on the internet as a whole.

When you activate Incognito mode on a browser, it just initiates a temporary session which is different from its current and main session and the user data. In this mode the browser does not record the search history. Additionally, local data related to the session, which includes cookies and web cache, are also deleted once the private browsing session is terminated.

Now that you’re well versed about what incognito mode is, let’s check the pro tips which you can follow to use your incognito mode better.

Also read: Fix Grok bikini deepfakes: Indian govt pulls up X.com for viral AI trend

Tip 1: Use incognito in a browser with no search history

Most of us use the same browser every day, and the downside to that is that it already knows all our searching habits, what we click, and what kind of websites we prefer. You may feel fresh when you open the incognito mode in that same browser, but even that doesn’t help, as your search results could still get biased. I realised this when I searched for a product in incognito and still saw suggestions related to my past searches. That proves the theory that the browser is linked to your regular usage pattern.

In my opinion a better approach is to use incognito mode in a browser that you rarely use or have never used before. For example, if you usually use Chrome, try using incognito in Firefox or Edge. Doing so will give you a clean slate, and moreover, it won’t learn your search habits or affect your search results.

Most importantly, keep in mind that this practice comes in handy when you want honest search results, such as checking prices, comparing services, or researching something sensitive; always start with a browser that has no stored habits. This small change alone can improve the quality of your search experience.

Tip 2: Do not log in to any of your accounts while searching in incognito mode

One of the common mistakes you might make is that as soon as you open incognito mode, you immediately head to log in to your email, social media, or Google account. The moment you do that, the whole purpose of incognito becomes weak, as when you log in, the website knows exactly who you are.

And as the browser now knows your identity, it starts linking your activity to your profile, even if the browser window is private. Hence, your searches, clicks, and interests can still be recorded on that platform and also get affected by past activities.

If you want to avoid that, then I suggest treating incognito mode like a guest visit. Do not sync anything, and use incognito only for searching and reading. Do not use it for interacting with your personal accounts.

Also read: Laptops that can turn into tablets: Top 5 touchscreen laptops to buy in 2026

Tip 3: Use a VPN so your search results are not influenced by your location

Most of us have the misconception that the incognito mode hides our location, but it doesn’t. Your internet connection still shows your general location through your IP address, and because of this, search results can change based on the city, state, or country you are in.

You can clearly notice this when checking flight prices and product availability. Even in incognito, prices and options are different when you search from different locations.

If you want more neutral or global results, I suggest using a VPN service, as a VPN changes the visible location of your internet connection. Some free VPNs you can use include Windscribe, Proton VPN, TunnelBear, Hide.me, Atlas VPN, and ZoogVPN.

Tip 4: Use advanced search operators for better and cleaner results

Most of us have the habit of typing the full questions into the search bar. While that works most of the time, that’s not the best way to search. If you want precise answers, especially in incognito mode, search operators can save a lot of time. If you’ve followed the tips above, then these operators will work like magic for you, as these will pinpoint your search to the things you want to search. Here are some of the operators you can use while searching in incognito mode. 

Advanced search operator 1: Use quotation marks for exact matches

If you want results with exact words in the same order, put them inside quotation marks. Example: “best credit card for beginners in India”. Without quotes, the search engine may mix words and show loosely related pages. With quotes, you get focused and cleaner results.

Advanced search operator 2: Use the site operator to search within one website

Sometimes you trust a particular website and only want results from there. This is where the site: operator helps.  Example: site:gov.in income tax refund rules.  This will show results only from Indian government websites.

Advanced search operator 3: Use a minus sign to remove unwanted results

If a word keeps appearing that you do not want, remove it using a minus sign. Example: best smartphone under 20000 – Samsung. This removes Samsung phones from the results.

Advanced search operator 4: Use OR to compare options in one search

When you want results for either one thing or another, use OR in capital letters. Example: laptop buying guide OR laptop comparison.  This shows pages that talk about either topic.

Advanced search operator 5: Use filetype to find PDFs, documents, or presentations

If you want official reports, guides, or study material, this is very powerful. Example: digital marketing strategy filetype:pdf. After you use the file type, your results will only show PDF files.

Advanced search operator 6: Use intitle to focus on page titles

If you want pages where a specific word appears in the title, use intitle:. Example: intitle:review air purifier India.  This gives you pages that are likely detailed reviews, not random mentions.

Advanced search operator 7: Use a wildcard symbol when you are unsure of a word

The asterisk symbol works like a blank space. Example: best * phone for parents. This is similar to the fill-in-the-blanks we used to do when in school, but the only good thing is that in this scenario the search engine fills the missing word on its own, and you need not worry.

Also read: Steve Jobs’ boldest move: Why Apple killed the keyboard and changed smartphones

Tip 5: Open a new incognito window for each separate search

The last pro tip to ensure you’re using your incognito window like a pro is to treat each incognito window like a single-task tool. In simple words, once you finish research on a topic, close the window entirely. If you’ve opened multiple incognito windows, then you need to shut them all. 

While opening a single incognito window for hours may feel safe, it can affect the results, as the window can accumulate some cache or cookies.

Even in incognito, temporary data exists during that session, and websites can still see what you are doing within that open window. Hence, if you search for one topic and then move to another, some influence can carry over.

Incognito mode doesn’t provide you true online anonymity

Now that you’re well aware of how to use your incognito mode correctly before ending, I want to clear up one very important confusion. Private browsing and true online anonymity are not the same thing.

Incognito or private mode only stops your browser from saving history, cookies, and form data on your device. It does not hide you from websites, your internet provider, your office network, or the apps and services you use.

True online anonymity goes much deeper and needs multiple layers, like changing your visible location, avoiding logins, and being careful about what you click and share. I personally see incognito as a local privacy tool, not a complete shield.