MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 15 (San Francisco News Online) — Google is rolling out a new Search setting called Search Services History, a control that lets the company save more than typed queries. According to Google’s own documentation, the setting can cover Lens images, voice searches, Search Live recordings or transcripts, Translate speaking-practice audio, uploaded files and some other activity tied to Search services.
What is Search Services History?
Search Services History is a privacy control for people signed into a Google Account. It tells Google whether it can keep activity from Search-related tools and, in some cases, the media used in those tools.
Google’s notices describe it as a separate control from Web & App Activity. In other words, the company is splitting search-related privacy choices into more than one setting instead of keeping everything under one switch.
What can Google save?
The new setting is broader than a simple list of search terms. Based on Google’s documentation, it may include:
- Google Lens images
- Voice search recordings
- Search Live recordings and transcripts
- Translate speaking-practice audio
- Uploaded files
- Some additional activity information
Google also has a Save Media sub-setting under Search Services History. When that option is on, Google can save media from Search services interactions.
Why does Google want that data?
Google 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 not only about remembering past searches. It also affects whether media submitted through Search tools can be used in Google’s product improvement work, including AI training.
Is the new setting already available to everyone?
Not necessarily. Google’s rollout is gradual, and some users may not see the new control yet.
Google says that while the change is still rolling out, some accounts may continue to have older Search activity controls in place until the new setting reaches them.
How do users turn it off?
Google says users can go to Google My Activity, open Search Services History, and switch it off. If the Save Media option is available, users can also uncheck that setting.
That matters because turning off Save Media does not automatically delete media that was already saved. According to Google’s documentation, previously saved items may remain in the account unless they are deleted separately.
What happens to media already chosen for AI training?
Google’s notice 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.
That is a key detail for anyone reviewing the setting: changing the switch affects future collection, but it does not necessarily erase everything already stored.
The practical takeaway
The main change is simple: Google Search can now store more kinds of user-submitted media under a dedicated privacy setting, and Google says some of that material may help improve its AI systems.
For users who do not want that, the important step is to check Search Services History in Google My Activity and review both the main toggle and the Save Media option.