MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 15 (San Francisco News Online) — Google is rolling out a new privacy control called Search Services History for signed-in Google Accounts. The setting determines whether Google saves activity from Search-related services, and it can cover more than plain text queries.
Here’s what the change means, what it can collect, and how to disable it.
What is Search Services History?
Search Services History is a new setting tied to Google Search. Google’s own notices say it controls whether activity from Search services is saved when a person is signed in.
That activity can include Google Lens images, voice searches, Search Live recordings and transcripts, Translate speaking-practice audio, uploaded files, and some other activity information.
Google’s documentation also describes a separate Save Media control under Search Services History. When Save Media is on, Google can save media from those Search interactions.
Why does Google say it saves this data?
Google says saved media may be used to develop and improve its services and technologies, including AI models and safety measures.
A Google spokesperson, Davis Thompson, said the new settings are meant to help users get more relevant results and revisit their searches, and can be turned on or off at any time.
Is this the same as Web & App Activity?
Not exactly, according to Google’s notices.
Google says the new controls are being split out so Search Services History and Personalized Recommendations are handled separately from Web & App Activity. But the rollout is gradual, and some users may not see the new setting yet.
Google also says that if the new control has not reached an account, Web & App Activity may still govern some Search-related history until the rollout arrives.
What can users do if they do not want this turned on?
Google says users can go to My Activity at myactivity.google.com, then find Search Services History and turn it off. If the Save Media option appears, users can also uncheck that box.
Google’s documentation says turning off Save Media does not automatically delete media that was already saved. Previously saved media may still remain on the account unless it is deleted.
What happens to media already chosen for AI training?
Google says media that has already been selected for AI training is no longer connected to the account and may be kept for up to four years.
That matters because turning off a setting now does not necessarily undo earlier data use. Google’s own guidance says saved media that was already selected can remain available for that retention period.
Does this affect Google Photos?
Google’s documentation describes this as a Search-related setting that applies to media actively sent through search and AI tools, not to a person’s separate photo library.
That means the change is about interactions in Search services, not a person’s stored Google Photos collection.
Which Google services are covered?
Google’s notices say the setting can apply across several Search-related products, including Search, Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate, News, AI Mode, and Ask Maps threads that include file uploads.
Bottom line
The new control gives Google more room to save media from Search-related tools unless a user turns it off. If privacy is the concern, the important steps are to check My Activity, review Search Services History, and make sure Save Media is disabled if that option appears.
Because the rollout is gradual, some users may not see the new menu yet. In the meantime, Google says some Search activity may still be governed by the older Web & App Activity setting until the change reaches each account.
