MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 15 (San Francisco News Online) — Google is rolling out a new Search Services History setting that changes what search-related activity can be stored on a Google Account. According to Google’s own settings and notifications, the control applies when a user is signed in and can cover more than typed searches: Google Lens images, voice search recordings, Search Live recordings and transcripts, Translate speaking-practice audio, uploaded files and some activity information.
What is Search Services History?
Think of it as a separate record for activity that happens inside Google’s search tools. Google’s documentation says the setting controls whether it saves that activity for an account. The company also says the controls for Search Services History and Personalized Recommendations are being handled separately from Web & App Activity.
That matters because many people have long used Web & App Activity as the main place to manage Google’s search-related data. Google now says some search data is moving into a new bucket, so the old setting may not tell the full story for every account while the rollout continues.
What can it save?
The new setting can include several kinds of content, not just text queries. Based on Google’s documentation as reported by multiple outlets, that can include:
- Google Lens images
- Voice search recordings
- Search Live recordings and transcripts
- Translate speaking-practice audio
- Uploaded files
- Some other activity information tied to Search services
Google also offers a Save Media sub-setting inside Search Services History. When that toggle is on, Google says it can save media from Search interactions.
Why does Google say it wants this data?
Google’s documentation says saved media may be used to develop and improve Google services and technologies, including AI models and safety measures. In other words, the company says the material can help improve its products, including artificial intelligence systems.
A Google spokesperson, Davis Thompson, said the new settings help users get more relevant results and revisit searches, and that they can be turned on or off at any time.
How can a user turn it off?
Google says users can manage the setting through My Activity at myactivity.google.com. From there, users can turn off Search Services History or uncheck Save Media.
Google also says the change is rolling out gradually, so some users may not see the new control yet. In those cases, Google says the older Web & App Activity setting may still control some search history until the new rollout reaches the account.
What happens to data already saved?
Turning off Save Media does not automatically delete media that was already saved. Google’s documentation says previously saved items may still remain on the account unless they are deleted separately.
Google also says that media already selected for AI training is no longer connected to the account and may be kept for up to four years.
The practical takeaway
For users who want tighter control over what Google stores from Search, the key change is that search activity is no longer handled through one simple switch. Google is splitting search-related history into separate controls, and the new Search Services History setting can reach images, voice, uploads and other media used inside Search tools.
That makes it more important to check the account’s privacy settings directly, especially while the rollout is still in progress.
