Google has introduced a new account setting that allows it to save images, files, audio, and video submitted through its Search-related services and use that content to improve its artificial intelligence models.
The change applies to media submitted through services including Google Search, Lens, Maps, Translate, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, and News.
TechCrunch first highlighted the wider implications of the updated policy, while Engadget reported that the feature covers most forms of media uploaded during a Search interaction.
What Google Can Save
Google’s new Search Services History setting can store images uploaded to Google Lens, files submitted through Search, voice-search recordings, and audio from Translate speaking practice.
It can also save recordings from Search Live, which allows users to communicate with Search through voice and their phone’s camera.
According to Google’s support documentation, saved media may be used to develop and improve its AI models and the services powered by them, including AI Mode, Lens, Translate, Search Live, and voice search.
The policy does not cover personal media stored in Google Photos. It applies specifically to interactions with Google’s Search services. Media managed by products such as Gemini, NotebookLM, Google Voice, and YouTube is controlled through separate settings.
Setting May Be Enabled Automatically
Google is moving Search-related data away from its broader Web & App Activity controls and placing it under two separate options called Search Services History and Personalized Recommendations.
The new settings inherit users’ previous choices. People who had Web & App Activity enabled will generally have Search Services History enabled as well. Those who had already disabled the earlier activity setting should find the new Search Services History option turned off.
This means the feature is not automatically active for every account, although it will be enabled for many users whose previous history settings were already switched on. Google is rolling out the new controls gradually.
How Google Uses The Media
Google says saved media can be used to improve services, produce more personalised results and train generative AI models.
Before media is used for AI training, Google says it disconnects the information from the user’s account. The company also uses automated filters intended to remove identifying details and sensitive personal information.
Google says it will request permission before sharing a user’s media with external service providers for human review. However, other Search Services History information may still be examined by trained reviewers as part of efforts to assess and improve AI responses.
Media selected for model training can be retained for up to four years after it has been separated from the user’s account. Deleting the original activity later may not remove a copy that has already been selected for AI training.
How To Opt Out
Users who do not want their uploaded Search media saved can open Google’s My Activity page and select Search Services History.
They can then uncheck the Save Media box without disabling their entire Search history. Users can also turn off Search Services History completely and choose whether to delete previously stored activity.
Turning off Save Media stops Google from saving media from future Search interactions and prevents it from using that future media to train generative AI models, unless the user submits it as feedback.
Previously saved images, files, and recordings are not automatically deleted when the option is disabled. Users must separately open their Search Services History and remove the existing media.
The Personalized Recommendations page provides separate controls for whether Google uses account information to customise Search suggestions, AI responses, and advertisements.
AI Overviews Remain Separate
Changing Search Services History does not disable AI Overviews in Google Search. It only controls how Google saves and uses activity and uploaded media.
Some users add “-AI” to a search query in an attempt to prevent an AI Overview from appearing, but this is not an official or reliable off switch.
Google’s supported option is to select the Web filter in Search results, which displays text-based links without features such as AI Overviews.
The new media setting gives users some control over future data collection, but people whose Search activity was already enabled will need to review their account settings manually if they do not want their uploads used for AI development.
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