Unblocking Search Results on Yandex
Yandex is one of the most powerful search engines in the world, frequently used as an alternative to Google due to its exceptional image recognition algorithms and differing approach to indexing the web. Like all major search engines, Yandex implements a family-friendly filter by default to prevent explicit content, violence, and adult websites from appearing in standard search results.
This “Family Search” filter (Yandex’s version of SafeSearch) is usually set to “Moderate” for new users, which blocks explicit images but allows text links. If you are an adult conducting research, looking for unfiltered news, or trying to find specific unedited images, you will need to manually disable this filter.
The process is straightforward, but Yandex’s settings menu is laid out differently than Google’s, and the setting can easily revert if you do not understand how Yandex stores your preferences.
How to Turn Off the Filter (Desktop & Mobile)
Whether you are using a desktop browser (like Chrome, Safari, or Yandex Browser) or a mobile browser on your phone, the steps to disable the filter are essentially identical.
- Open your web browser and go to yandex.com.
- Perform a random search (e.g., type “test” and press Enter) so you are looking at a page of search results.
- Look at the top-right corner of the screen, near your profile picture or the login button, and locate the Settings icon. (It usually looks like a small gear or three horizontal sliders).
- Click or tap the Settings icon. A menu will drop down.
- Select Search settings (or “Other settings” depending on your region).
- Scroll down the page until you find the section labelled Search results filtering.
- You will see three options:
- Family search: Completely filters out all adult content, explicit language, and violent imagery.
- Moderate filter: Filters explicit images and videos, but allows related text links (the default setting).
- No filter: Does not filter any results, showing exactly what the algorithm finds.
- Select No filter.
- Scroll to the very bottom of the settings page and click the yellow Save button. (If you do not click Save, the filter will not be disabled).
Your search results will reload, and the restrictions will be lifted.
Troubleshooting: The Filter Keeps Turning Back On
If you successfully change the setting to “No filter,” but you notice the filter has turned itself back on the next day, you are experiencing a cookie issue.
Unless you are logged into a Yandex account, the search engine remembers your filter preference by saving a small text file (a cookie) to your web browser. If your browser deletes this cookie, Yandex forgets your preference and immediately defaults back to the “Moderate” setting.
To permanently save your preference, you must create a Yandex account and log in.
- Go to yandex.com and click Log In in the top-right corner.
- Create a free account or log into your existing one.
- Perform a search and repeat the steps above to change your filtering settings to “No filter.”
Once you are logged in, your SafeSearch preference is tied to your account profile rather than your temporary browser cookies. As long as you stay logged in, your searches will remain unfiltered across all your devices.
Why Is the Option Locked or Greyed Out?
If you navigate to the Search Settings page and find that the “Family search” option is locked and you cannot select “No filter,” you are likely browsing on a managed network.
Public Wi-Fi networks (like those in schools, libraries, airports, and corporate offices) often implement DNS-level filtering. This forces all devices connected to the Wi-Fi into strict SafeSearch mode across all search engines, including Yandex. You cannot bypass this setting through the Yandex website; you must disconnect from the Wi-Fi and use your cellular data instead.
