Google rolling out new settings for Search Services History & Personalized Recommendations

Source: 9to5Google

Overview

Google Search is adding two new settings that give users more control over saved history and personalized recommendations. The changes are rolling out over the coming weeks, with email and in‑app notifications already being sent to some users.

Search Services History

The Search Services History setting lets you decide whether Google saves your queries and other activity across Search, Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate, and News. This includes:

• Your search terms
• Information from sites you visit via Google services
• Generative AI responses

Saved Media (sub‑setting)

Within Search Services History, a new sub‑setting called Saved Media can be toggled independently. When enabled, Google will store images, files, audio, and video captured during:

• Voice search
• Google Lens
• Search Live

You can also delete individual media items from your history.

“For example, this lets you revisit your past visual searches with Lens or continue a Search Live conversation about a song you heard.”

“To support these types of interactive product experiences, Google will now save your media to your Search Services History, applying robust privacy and security protections. Like your Search Services History, your saved media is also used to develop and improve Google services and technologies, including AI models and safety measures.”

Personalized Recommendations

The Personalized Recommendations setting controls whether search results are customized to you. It works alongside Search Services History, using your existing preferences to determine if personalization is on or off.

Migration of Existing Settings

Google will preserve your current configurations:

• If you previously had Web & App Activity and Search Personalization enabled, the new settings will be enabled by default.
• If they were disabled, the new settings will remain off.
• Your existing auto‑delete schedule will also be retained.

Rollout Timeline

After receiving the notification email, the new settings become available:

• Search Services History:
• Personalized Recommendations:

They will go live over the next few days, with the full rollout completing in the coming weeks.