Google Introduces Enhanced Control Over Search History and Personalized Recommendations
Google is rolling out two new settings aimed at providing users with greater control over their search history and personalized recommendations. These updates are being introduced over the coming weeks, with users receiving notifications via email and within the app.
Introducing Search Services History
Previously, Google’s Web & App Activity managed the storage of search history, while Search Personalization handled the customization of search results. The new Search Services History setting consolidates these functions, allowing users to decide whether Google saves their activities across various services, including Search, Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate, and News.
This setting encompasses:
– Search queries
– Information from sites visited through Search services
– Responses generated by AI
Saved Media Subsetting
Within the Search Services History, there’s a new Saved Media subsetting. When enabled, Google will store media such as images, files, audio, and videos obtained through voice search, Google Lens, and Search Live. This feature allows users to revisit past visual searches or continue conversations initiated via Search Live.
Users have the flexibility to disable this subsetting independently and can delete individual media items from their history. Google emphasizes that robust privacy and security measures are applied to saved media, which also contribute to the development and improvement of Google services, including AI models and safety protocols.
Personalized Recommendations Setting
The Personalized Recommendations setting enables users to control whether their search results are customized based on their activity. This provides a straightforward way to manage the personalization of search experiences.
Transitioning to New Settings
Google will automatically apply users’ existing preferences to these new settings. If Web & App Activity and Search Personalization were previously enabled, the new settings will remain active. Conversely, if they were disabled, the new settings will also be turned off. Any previously set auto-delete intervals will be preserved.
Users will receive notifications about these changes, and the new settings will become available in their accounts over the next few days, with the rollout continuing over the coming weeks.
