MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 15 (San Francisco News Online) — Google is rolling out a new Search setting called Search Services History, and it changes what the company can keep from some signed-in searches.
What is Search Services History?
Google says the setting controls whether Search activity is saved when a user is signed into a Google Account. That activity can include more than typed searches. Google’s own documentation says it may cover Google Lens images, voice searches, Search Live recordings and transcripts, Translate speaking-practice audio, uploaded files, and some related activity information.
Why does Google say it matters?
Google says a related Save Media control lets it store media from Search services interactions. In its documentation, Google says saved media may be “used to develop and improve Google services and technologies, including AI models and safety measures.”
That means the setting is not just about keeping a search history. It can also affect whether photos, audio and files sent through Google Search tools are available for later use by Google’s systems.
Is this the same as Web & App Activity?
Google says the new Search Services History control is separate from Web & App Activity. The company has also split out Personalized Recommendations as another control.
Google’s rollout is gradual, though, so not every account will see the new setting at the same time. Google says that if the new control has not reached an account yet, Web & App Activity may still govern some Search services history for now.
How do users turn it off?
Google says users can go to Google My Activity, open Search Services History, and turn the setting off. If Save Media is available, users can also uncheck that option.
Google says the setting can be turned on or off at any time.
What happens to media already saved?
Turning off Save Media does not automatically delete media that was already saved. Google’s documentation says media that has already been selected to train AI models is no longer connected to the account and can be kept for up to four years.
Google says users who want that material removed need to delete it from the account rather than just switch off the setting.
What is not covered?
Google’s documentation says the policy applies to media pushed through Search and AI tools, not personal photos stored in Google Photos.
Google spokesperson Davis Thompson said the new settings help users get more relevant results and revisit their searches, and can be turned on or off at any time.
For people who use Google Search often, the main takeaway is simple: the company is giving itself a broader way to save Search-related media unless users turn the new controls off.
