On March 1st is the day when Google’s new all-in-one private policy will enter in effect. This also says that, for example, your Google Web History will be shared with all other Google services you may use.
If you don’t have a Google account and you use search, you are fine, but if you do have, for example, a Gmail account and you didn’t opt-out to remove and pause Web History, then Google is tracking all the searches and the web pages you’ve visited. The tracked data has been always set apart from other services that the search giant offer, but next month, March 1st 2012, your history will be combined among all the Google services you may use.
If you have sensitive information that you don’t want Google mixing with other services (e.g. YouTube, Google+, and others), you can remove and disable Google Web History.
Instructions
1. Sign in to your Google account, then visit https://www.google.com/history in the address bar of the web browser. Another way to get to the Web History is by clicking in the profile button (top-right corner from a Google service such as Google+ or Gmail), then selecting Account Settings and at the bottom of the page, under Services, click the Go to Web History link.
2. Once in the Web History page, if you see a list of search terms and web pages you’ve visited, your Web History is enabled. Click the Remove all Web History button, then confirm by clicking the OK button to finishing clearing all of your Web History.
What is going to happen from this day forward is that your searches and web pages you visit will not longer be tracked by Google. In the remote case that you want to enable tracking again, just click the Resume button.
Let us know in the comments below if you are planing to stop Google Web History or if you’ve already done it.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech (est. 2010). With over 21 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
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