MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 15 (San Francisco News Online) — Google is rolling out a new Search privacy setting called Search Services History, and it changes what can be stored from some Google Search tools.
At a high level, the setting controls whether Google saves activity from Search services when someone is signed in to a Google Account. Google’s documentation, as quoted in coverage of the change, says the data can go beyond typed searches and may include Google Lens images, voice search recordings, Search Live recordings and transcripts, Translate speaking-practice audio, uploaded files, and some related activity information.
Why does that matter? Because Google says saved media may be used to develop and improve its services and technologies, including AI models and safety measures.
What is Search Services History?
Search Services History is a Search-related setting that appears to be separate from the older Web & App Activity control. Coverage of Google’s notices says the company has split some Search controls so Search Services History and Personalized Recommendations are handled separately.
That means the setting is not just about keeping a list of text queries. It can also cover media and other content people send through Google Search tools.
In the reports that quote Google’s documentation, the setting can apply across several Google products, including Search, Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate, News, AI Mode, and Ask Maps threads with file uploads.
What kind of content can be saved?
Based on Google’s documentation as reported by multiple outlets, Search Services History may include:
- Lens images
- Voice search recordings
- Search Live recordings and transcripts
- Translate speaking-practice audio
- Uploaded files
- Some other activity tied to Search services
One report says Google Photos is not included, and that the policy covers media people actively send through search and AI tools rather than personal images stored in a photo library. That distinction comes from Google’s documentation as reported by TechTimes.
What is Save Media?
Google also shows a Save Media sub-setting under Search Services History.
When Save Media is turned on, Google can save media from Search services interactions. Google’s documentation says saved media may be used to improve Google services and technologies, including AI models and safety measures.
One of Google’s messages, as quoted in coverage, says media that has already been selected for AI training is “no longer connected to your account and is kept for up to 4 years.”
Is this setting on for everyone?
The rollout appears to be gradual. Coverage of Google’s notice says some users may not see the new setting yet because it is still reaching accounts.
There is some ambiguity in the reports about how the old and new controls interact during the rollout. Some coverage says Web & App Activity may still control some Search services history until the new setting reaches an account. Other coverage says Google has permanently separated the controls. Google’s notices, as reported, suggest the company is changing how these settings are organized, but the rollout does not seem to be fully consistent across all accounts yet.
How can users turn it off?
Google’s instructions, as reported, point users to My Activity at myactivity.google.com. From there, users can turn off Search Services History or uncheck Save Media.
If the new setting has not appeared on an account yet, Google’s guidance says Web & App Activity may still control some Search services history until the rollout reaches that user.
Does turning it off delete old saved media?
No, not automatically.
Coverage of Google’s documentation says turning off Save Media does not delete media already saved. Previously saved items may still remain on the account unless they are deleted separately.
That makes the difference between “stop saving new activity” and “remove old activity” important. Turning off the control may block future collection, but it does not necessarily erase what Google already has.
Why is Google doing this?
Google has said, through the documentation quoted in coverage, that the saved media may be used to improve its AI models and safety systems. A Google spokesperson identified in one report, Davis Thompson, said the new settings are meant to help users get more relevant results and revisit their searches, and that they can be turned on or off at any time.
For users, the main takeaway is simple: Google Search is now exposing a more detailed control over what search-related media it can keep, and that data may feed into AI training unless the setting is turned off.
