How can I break out of the claustrophobic search limits Google is now imposing on me?

[ASKBiblitz]

Google is no longer Google. It now directs me to its advertisers rather than to information. It limits my scope more and more each day, confining me to geography and searches I made yesterday. It's almost as bad as Facebook's friend suggestions of still more total strangers.

[Hrēodbēorð]

If you use IE there are several measures you can take on a regular basis to rid Google and your computer of unnecessary accumulation of stored search engine debris. Given your immediate problem (repetitious Google suggestions), you should try clicking on the down arrow to the right of the Google search box. From what you describe, you will be amazed at the list of searches you have typed over time that will be stored there. At the bottom right of the list are the words "Clear History." Click there, and all of your Google searches to date will vanish, not to bother you with unwanted old ideas again.

Then, on your Menu bar in Tools, there is at the very top a Delete browsing history option. When you click that, a box opens in which you definitely want to check Temporary Internet files, Cookies, History and Download history to get rid of all that mess, but probably also check Preserve Favorites website data at the top to save information stored for fast access to URLs in your Favorites list. If you don't mind clearing out all of your stored ActiveX info, check that box at the bottom also, then click Delete.

At last, also in Tools is Internet options at the bottom. Click there, and in the first tab (General) near the middle there's a box to check for deleting your internet browser history every time you exit IE. Check it. Go to Settings to the right of Delete and click it, then choose Never under the searching for newer versions of stored Webpages option. Leaving that door open is a carte blanche to worms and viruses. Next go to the Advanced tab and Browsing, be sure the Enable Suggested Sites box is unchecked.

A good Registry and PC cleaning program will do most of this for you on a schedule you choose.