MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 15 (San Francisco News Online) — Google is rolling out a new privacy setting for Search called Search Services History, and it changes what Google can save from some of the ways people search.
The setting is separate from Web & App Activity, which many Google users already know. According to Google’s own documentation as reported in coverage of the change, Search Services History can cover more than typed search terms. It 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 does Search Services History do?
Search Services History controls whether Google saves activity from Search services when someone is signed in to a Google Account.
That means the setting is meant to cover interactions inside Google Search and related tools, not just a list of words typed into the search box. Google’s documentation, as reported by several outlets, says the feature can record media and other inputs that users send through Search tools.
One important detail: the change is being rolled out gradually. Google says some users may not see the new setting yet because it has not reached every account.
What is the “Save Media” option?
Under Search Services History, Google has added a second control called Save Media.
When Save Media is turned on, Google can save media from Search interactions. Google’s documentation says saved media may be used to improve Google services and technologies, including AI models and safety measures.
That is the part that has drawn the most attention. In practical terms, it means images, audio and other uploaded media sent through Google Search features may be used beyond the immediate search result, according to Google’s own explanation.
Is this the same as Google Photos?
No, based on the documentation quoted in the coverage, this is about media actively submitted through Search and AI tools, not personal photos stored in Google Photos.
TechTimes reported that Google’s documentation explicitly excludes Google Photos from this policy.
How is this different from Web & App Activity?
Google appears to have split the controls so Search Services History and Personalized Recommendations are managed separately from Web & App Activity.
That matters because some users may assume one master privacy switch still covers everything. The coverage of Google’s documentation says that is no longer the case for these Search-related services, though one report also noted that Web & App Activity may still control some Search history until the rollout reaches a user’s account.
What happens to media Google already saved?
Turning off Save Media does not automatically erase what was already saved.
Google’s documentation says previously saved media may remain in the account unless it is deleted. The company also discloses that media already selected for AI training is no longer connected to the account and may be kept for up to four years.
How can users turn it off?
Google’s instructions say users can go to My Activity at myactivity.google.com and turn off Search Services History or uncheck Save Media.
If the new setting has not appeared yet, Google says the old controls may still apply while the rollout continues.
Why Google says it added the setting
In a statement attributed to Google spokesperson Davis Thompson, the company said the new settings are meant to help users get more relevant results and revisit their searches, and that they can be turned on or off at any time.
For users who are privacy-conscious, the main takeaway is simple: Google Search now has more detailed controls for what it can keep from Lens, voice and other uploaded media, but those controls may not be visible in every account yet.
