MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 15 (San Francisco News Online) — Google is rolling out a new Search setting called Search Services History that changes what it can save from your activity when you are signed into a Google Account.
The main issue is not just typed searches. Google’s own settings and notifications, as described in the coverage, say the new control can cover media and other activity from Search-related tools, including Lens images, voice searches, Search Live recordings and transcripts, Translate speaking-practice audio, uploaded files and other search activity information.
What is Search Services History?
Search Services History is a new privacy control for Google Search services. It tells Google whether it may save activity from those services when you are signed in.
Google says the setting is separate from older account controls. The company has split some search-related privacy options so Search Services History and Personalized Recommendations are managed on their own, instead of being tied together in one place.
What does it save?
According to Google’s documentation and in-product notices described in the reports, Search Services History may include:
- Google Lens images
- Voice search recordings
- Search Live recordings and transcripts
- Translate speaking-practice audio
- Uploaded files
- Some activity information tied to those searches and tools
There is also a Save Media sub-setting. When that is turned on, Google can save media from those Search interactions.
Why does Google say it does this?
Google’s documentation says saved media may be used to improve Google services and technologies, including AI models and safety measures.
In other words, the company is making clear that some content you send through Search tools may help train or improve its AI systems if you leave the setting on.
Is this already on for everyone?
The rollout is gradual. Google says some users may not see the new setting yet because it is still being pushed out.
One point in Google’s guidance is important: if the new control has not reached an account yet, Web & App Activity may still control some Search-related history until the rollout arrives for that user.
How can you turn it off?
Google’s instructions direct users to My Activity at myactivity.google.com.
From there, users can:
- Open Search Services History.
- Turn off Search Services History, or
- Uncheck Save Media if they want to keep search activity but stop media from being saved.
Because the setting is separate from other privacy controls, it is worth checking the Search-related options in your Google Account rather than assuming one switch covers everything.
What happens to media that was already saved?
Google’s documentation says turning off Save Media does not automatically delete media that was already saved.
That previously saved media may still remain in the account unless it is deleted. Google also 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.
What services does it cover?
One report based on Google’s notification says the change applies across several Google products, including Search, Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate, News, AI Mode and Ask Maps threads that include file uploads.
That makes the change broader than plain web search. It reaches other places where people may upload images, files or audio while using Google tools.
What is the practical takeaway?
For users, the key change is control. Google is making clearer that search-related uploads and voice interactions can be stored and, if the setting stays on, may help improve its AI systems.
If you want less of that data saved, check My Activity and review both Search Services History and Save Media. If you do nothing, Google’s rollout suggests the setting may be enabled for some accounts as the update continues to spread.
