macOS processes › Spotlight and search
What is parsecd on Mac?
parsecd fetches suggestions from Apple for Spotlight, Safari, Look Up and Siri Suggestions, such as web results, news, and information about places or topics.
What it does
When you type in Spotlight or the Safari address bar, or use Look Up, parsecd sends the query to Apple's suggestion service and caches the results. It's mostly network work, so each request is usually quick.
Why it gets busy
- Lots of searching in Spotlight or Safari.
- A slow or unreliable connection, which makes requests retry.
- A firewall or privacy tool blocking Apple's suggestion servers.
Why is parsecd using so much CPU?
parsecd is the online suggestions service for Spotlight and Safari. If it's busy, it's often retrying on a slow or filtered connection, and turning off online suggestions removes most of its work.
Is it safe to quit?
macOS starts it again the next time you search. You may miss suggestions for a moment.
How to calm it down
- In System Settings › Spotlight, turn off the setting that allows content from Apple partners in search and Look Up, if you don't want online suggestions.
- In Safari › Settings › Search, turn off Include Safari Suggestions.
- If a firewall app blocks parsecd, allow it or turn off the features above, so it isn't retrying constantly.
In SystemWatch
In the website edition of SystemWatch you can see parsecd's network connections, which shows when it reaches out and how often.
