MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 15 (San Francisco News Online) — Google is rolling out a new Search privacy control called Search Services History, and it changes what Google can keep from some search-related interactions.
According to Google’s settings and notices as described in the reports, the new control applies when a user is signed in to a Google Account. It can save activity from Search services, including Google Lens images, voice searches, Search Live recordings and transcripts, Translate speaking-practice audio, uploaded files, and some related activity information.
That is more than plain text search history. It means people using Google’s search tools may be sharing media, audio or files through Search features that Google can store if the setting is on.
What the new setting does
Search Services History is described as a separate control from Web & App Activity. Google’s documentation says the setting is meant to manage Search-related history on its own, along with another control called Save Media.
When Save Media is turned on, Google can save media from Search services interactions. Google’s documentation 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 tied not just to remembering searches, but also to how Google may use some search-submitted media to improve its products.
What kind of data can be included
Based on Google’s notices and the coverage that quoted them, Search Services History can include:
- Google Lens images
- Voice search recordings
- Search Live recordings and transcripts
- Translate speaking-practice audio
- Uploaded files
- Other Search-related activity details
One report said the change applies across several Google services, including Search, Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate, News, AI Mode and Ask Maps threads with file uploads.
Another important limit: Google Photos is said to be excluded. The documentation described in the reports focuses on media actively sent through Search and AI tools, not personal photos stored in a photo library.
Why Google says it is doing this
Google spokesperson Davis Thompson said the new settings help users get more relevant results and revisit their searches, and that they can be turned on or off at any time.
Google’s own documentation also says some saved 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.
How to turn it off
Google’s instructions, as reported, say users can go to My Activity at myactivity.google.com and review Search Services History.
From there, users can:
- turn off Search Services History entirely, or
- uncheck Save Media if they want to stop Google from saving media from Search interactions
The reports say turning off Save Media does not automatically erase media already saved. Previously saved media may still remain in the account unless it is deleted.
What if the setting has not shown up yet?
Google says the rollout is gradual, so not every account may see the new control right away. Some reports said users who do not yet see Search Services History may still have older Search-related controls in place until the rollout reaches their account.
That makes it important to check the account’s current privacy settings rather than assuming the new option is already available.
Why this matters
The change is part of a broader shift in how search tools and AI features overlap. Search is no longer just text queries. People now use Google to upload screenshots, scan documents, search by image, speak into the app and interact with AI-style tools. Google’s new setting is meant to control what happens to that material after it is used in Search.
For people concerned about privacy, the key point is simple: if Search Services History and Save Media are turned on, Google may store more than search terms, and some of that material may be used to improve Google’s AI systems.
For people who want to limit that, the first step is to check My Activity and turn the controls off if they are available on the account.
