diff --git a/booru_viewer/core/db.py b/booru_viewer/core/db.py
index 8be4bbc..39963b9 100644
--- a/booru_viewer/core/db.py
+++ b/booru_viewer/core/db.py
@@ -153,6 +153,7 @@ _DEFAULTS = {
     "infinite_scroll": "0",
     "library_filename_template": "",
     "unbookmark_on_save": "0",
+    "search_history_enabled": "1",
 }
 
 
diff --git a/booru_viewer/gui/search.py b/booru_viewer/gui/search.py
index f24209e..5c491e9 100644
--- a/booru_viewer/gui/search.py
+++ b/booru_viewer/gui/search.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ class SearchBar(QWidget):
 
     def _do_search(self) -> None:
         query = self._input.text().strip()
-        if self._db and query:
+        if self._db and query and self._db.get_setting_bool("search_history_enabled"):
             self._db.add_search_history(query)
         self.search_requested.emit(query)
 
@@ -116,8 +116,8 @@ class SearchBar(QWidget):
                 saved_actions[id(a)] = (sid, query)
             menu.addSeparator()
 
-        # History
-        history = self._db.get_search_history()
+        # History (only shown when the setting is on)
+        history = self._db.get_search_history() if self._db.get_setting_bool("search_history_enabled") else []
         if history:
             hist_header = menu.addAction("-- Recent --")
             hist_header.setEnabled(False)
diff --git a/booru_viewer/gui/settings.py b/booru_viewer/gui/settings.py
index 74e9eee..f19fb34 100644
--- a/booru_viewer/gui/settings.py
+++ b/booru_viewer/gui/settings.py
@@ -192,6 +192,11 @@ class SettingsDialog(QDialog):
         self._unbookmark_on_save.setChecked(self._db.get_setting_bool("unbookmark_on_save"))
         form.addRow("", self._unbookmark_on_save)
 
+        # Search history
+        self._search_history = QCheckBox("Record recent searches")
+        self._search_history.setChecked(self._db.get_setting_bool("search_history_enabled"))
+        form.addRow("", self._search_history)
+
         # Slideshow monitor
         from PySide6.QtWidgets import QApplication
         self._monitor_combo = QComboBox()
@@ -785,6 +790,7 @@ class SettingsDialog(QDialog):
         self._db.set_setting("prefetch_mode", self._prefetch_combo.currentText())
         self._db.set_setting("infinite_scroll", "1" if self._infinite_scroll.isChecked() else "0")
         self._db.set_setting("unbookmark_on_save", "1" if self._unbookmark_on_save.isChecked() else "0")
+        self._db.set_setting("search_history_enabled", "1" if self._search_history.isChecked() else "0")
         self._db.set_setting("slideshow_monitor", self._monitor_combo.currentText())
         self._db.set_setting("library_dir", self._library_dir.text().strip())
         self._db.set_setting("library_filename_template", self._library_filename_template.text().strip())