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 how much activity from Search tools can be saved to a signed-in Google Account.
The new setting matters because Google says it can cover more than typed searches. According to Google’s documentation as shown in the settings screens, Search Services History may include Google Lens images, voice search recordings, Search Live recordings and transcripts, Translate speaking-practice audio, uploaded files and some related activity information.
What is Search Services History?
Search Services History is Google’s new control for whether activity from Search services is saved when someone is signed in. Google says the setting is separate from other account controls, including Web & App Activity and Personalized Recommendations.
That separation is important. In the rollout guidance reported from Google’s own pages, some users may not see Search Services History yet because the change is still rolling out. Until it reaches an account, Google says Web & App Activity may still control some Search services history.
What is the Save Media option?
Under Search Services History, Google has added a sub-setting called Save Media. When that option is on, Google can save media from Search interactions. That includes images, audio and files that people send through Google Search tools.
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, media you send into Search can be used beyond search history alone.
Is this the same as Google Photos?
Google’s documentation, as reported in the coverage, says Google Photos is excluded. The setting applies to media actively sent through Search and related AI tools, not the photos already stored in a personal photo library.
Can Google keep the media even after it is used for AI training?
Google says that media already selected for AI training is no longer connected to the account and may be kept for up to four years. Google also says turning off Save Media does not automatically delete media that was previously saved. To stop that earlier data from being retained, users need to delete it from the account.
How do you turn it off?
Google’s instructions point users to My Activity at myactivity.google.com. From there, a user can turn off Search Services History or uncheck Save Media.
Google spokesperson Davis Thompson said the new settings are meant to help users get more relevant results and revisit searches, and that the controls can be turned on or off at any time.
Why does this change matter?
For many people, Search is not just a text box anymore. Google now lets people search with images, voice and uploaded files across multiple products, and the new setting makes those interactions more visible in account privacy controls.
The practical change is simple: if Search Services History and Save Media are on, Google can keep more of what a user sends into Search. If they are off, Google says it will save less — but users should still check their account settings, since the rollout is gradual and not every account gets the same controls at the same time.
