Are you tired of seeing files you rarely use cluttering up Spotlight’s search results on Mac? Or do you want to keep certain files private on your Mac? In either case, you should exclude some files from Spotlight. Here’s how to do that.
Excluding Files From Spotlight on Mac
It’s possible to prevent specific files from showing up in Spotlight searches on a Mac by adding the folders they’re in to an exclusions list. However, you can’t insert individual files to the list. So if you have other files in the same folder you don’t want to be cut out from the search results, move them somewhere else or create a new folder dedicated to all the files you do want to exclude.
Once you’re ready, follow these steps to exclude a folder from Spotlight searches:
- Open the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
- Select the category labeled Spotlight.
- Switch to the Privacy tab.
- Use the Add icon and select the folder containing any files you want to exclude.
- Select Choose to insert it into the exclusions list. If you want to delete an item from the exclusions list, just highlight it and select the Remove button.
Excluding Entire Categories From Spotlight on Mac
Files aside, you can also exclude specific categories from showing up in Spotlight. That’s a quick way to declutter your search results without needing to create dedicated exclusion folders. Just follow these steps:
- Open the System Preferences app.
- Select Spotlight.
- Under the Search Results tab, uncheck categories you don’t want Spotlight to index, such as Applications, Contacts, or Documents.
Streamline Your Spotlight Results
Spotlight is the best way to find files, applications, and more on your Mac, and excluding unwanted items helps streamline those searches while improving your privacy. However, it’s not the only game in town. Check out some Spotlight alternatives for even better and faster results.
