Google has announced a new system that allows users more control over how their search-related activity is stored and utilized for recommendations. The company is gradually implementing two new settings, Search Services History and Personalised Recommendations, which will impact various services such as search, maps, shopping, flights, hotels, translate, and news.
This update marks a departure from Google’s previous strategy, with the new settings enabling users to manage the storage of search-related activity separately from the recommendations derived from it. The rollout is expected to occur over the next few months, with some users retaining the existing controls until the transition is complete.
Search Services History provides users the option to determine if interactions across Google’s search services are saved to their accounts. This stored information includes searches, visited websites, AI responses, location details, and media like images, files, and audio/video recordings. Google utilizes this data to enhance user experiences and refine its products, including the training of AI models.
Users who disable Search Services History will prevent their activity from being used to train Google’s AI models, unless they opt to provide direct feedback. Educational account data is excluded from AI training purposes.
In addition to the history setting, Google is introducing Personalised Recommendations, which allows search services to customize results and suggestions based on a user’s account information. This can impact search results, news feeds, AI responses, and location-based suggestions, tailoring content based on a user’s preferences and activity.
Enabling or disabling Search Services History and Personalised Recommendations can be done through the settings provided by Google.
