How to Delete Everything That Google Knows About You

Fact checked

Are you worried about your privacy?  Does the fact that Google collects information about you give you the creeps.  While many members of the global community are angry about how much information the major online and computer companies collect on you, what if there was a way to combat and stop it.  Even if it was a small part of it?

Well, Yahoo! News has the step by step instructions for “How to Download and Delete What Google Search Knows About You”:

Have you ever wondered what Google Search really knows about you? Well, now you can check, as Google has added a new feature that lets you view and download your entire search history.

Yep. Everything.

The feature, which was spotted by the unofficial Google Operating System Blog — though VentureBeat points out that the function was made available in January — gives you access to everything from what you searched for to the links you clicked on from those searches. It also shows you the addresses you’ve searched for.

I was even able to see the list of images I clicked on while searching for pictures of cats eating spaghetti. Now imagine what you’ve looked for. Oh, and clearing your browser history won’t delete this data.

But there’s no reason to panic, because in addition to being able to download your search history, you can clear it.

First, here’s how to download your history:

1. Navigate to Google’s Web and App Activity page.

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2. Next, click the gear icon in the top-right corner of the screen.

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3. Then select Download from the drop-down menu.

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You’ll then receive a pop-up window warning you not to download your search history to a public computer, as it contains a large amount of sensitive information.

4. If you want to continue, click Create Archive.

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Once your history is downloaded, you’ll receive a link in a few seconds that lets you view your data.

If you don’t want to download your data, and would rather get rid of it, you can do that as well. Of course, there are some reasons to let Google keep your search data. For one thing, it guarantees faster search results. It also ensures that Google Now has all of the latest relevant information about you. If you delete your data, your searches won’t be as tailored to your habits.

Still want to get rid of your search history? Here’s how:

Before we get started, it’s worth pointing out that if you want to keep your information hidden, you can use your browser’s privacy option, which keeps Google from saving your data — though it can still be seen by your service provider or employer.

Simply deleting you browser history won’t clear the data saved by Google, as you’re only deleting the information stored by your browser and not what’s on Google’s servers. To do that, you’ll have to:

1. Navigate to the Web and App Activity Page and click the gear icon in the top-right corner.

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2. Select Remove Items and choose the beginning of time from the drop-down menu.

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3.Click Remove and kiss your data goodbye.

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That’s it. All of your search history will be deleted, and you’ll never have to worry about Google knowing about the time you looked for tickets to a Justin Bieber concert.

Royce Christyn

Royce Christyn

Journalist at News Punch
Documentarian, Writer, Producer, Director, Author.
Royce Christyn

47 Comments

    • Why would it be. Giving you that much information would not be in Google’s interest. Facebook’s “download information” is exactly the same, they give you just enough information so that it is useless to both you and anyone else.

      If one could download all the information, then other marketing companies could buy it of you to save their own time.

      One
      has to remember that Facebook and Google are making their money buy
      selling “your life” to companies which advertizing on their sites.

    • Why would it be. Giving you that much information would not be in Google’s interest. Facebook’s “download information” is exactly the same, they give you just enough information so that it is useless to both you and anyone else.

      If one could download all the information, then other marketing companies could buy it of you to save their own time.

      One
      has to remember that Facebook and Google are making their money buy
      selling “your life” to companies which advertizing on their sites.

  1. The reality is that a greater number of users willingly give this information without thinking of any negative effect or long-term impact. Should we seek further education on the subject. We are happy when we receive the information but not it is being given about us. So?

    http://vbcwizard.com/dlrglobalventures06

  2. Good information for privacy seeking people. But the information is not enough because instead of Google their are lot more media info system that also have information about your day to day activities.

  3. Good information for privacy seeking people. But the information is not enough because instead of Google their are lot more media info system that also have information about your day to day activities.

  4. Will it delete this story from our brain’s. This is a blatant miss use of the, not infinite storage and therefore an assault on our person !.

  5. Will it delete this story from our brain’s. This is a blatant miss use of the, not infinite storage and therefore an assault on our person !.

  6. Anybody else notice it says “Download a COPY of your data”?? Your not erasing anything except a downloaded copy of what Google has. They still keep all your data on their servers. This is a waist of time.

  7. Anybody else notice it says “Download a COPY of your data”?? Your not erasing anything except a downloaded copy of what Google has. They still keep all your data on their servers. This is a waist of time.

  8. Sure you can delete all the history and sure it will be gone for “you”. But Google keeps that data on it’s servers even if it looks like it’s gone. Same with emails: emptying your trash in Gmail will delete your emails and you won’t be able to see them anymore but Google still keeps a copy.
    In the States it’s even required by law that providers keep a record for, I believe, 10 years. You data is still around but only Google Admins have access.
    Never forget one thing and that doesn’t apply to Google only but the entire Internet before you go drunk posting stuff: “Once on the Net, always on the Net.”

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