How Does Google Know About My Activity history?

Google is a part of everyone’s daily life. With billions of searches per day, people use it to streamline their lives in different ways. During all such actions, Google quietly collects data in the background. This set of information forms what we call a Google activity history. Many users are aware that Google collects their data, but only a few understand how it works.

In this blog, we will decode how Google records your activity history and how you can control it.

What Counts as Activity History on Google?

Google activity history is also tracked at the device level. Your app activities are also tracked in the background, helping Google to build your habit pattern. This can be used to recommend to you future services and apps based on your preferences.

In brief, here are the factors that make up your Google history:

• Browsing Data
• Google Searches
• App Usage
• Location Movement
• Voice Commands

How Google Collects Your Activity Data

• Account-based tracking: When you sign in to Google, your activities get stored in your account. Users search online daily, watch videos, and use their linked apps that store their account activity. This makes a clear log of your online activity that stays linked to your account or profile.
• Device signals: Your devices have unique IP addresses, a mobile number, and network connections. Android devices further allow sharing permission settings and background app activities. All these details combine to make your digital footprint.
• Location tracking: Google collects your location through GPS, connected networks, or IP address. This helps Google update your account’s security status and location pinpoints. It helps Google to show you search results according to your device location for better search quality.
• Partner websites and apps: Many websites use Google tools to manage their services. When you visit these platforms, Google can track your activities and interactions. It can be used to provide you with personalized suggestions for making your search experience better.
• Google Assistant activity: Voice commands on Google Assistant are also recorded to improve result accuracy over time. All the interactions are recorded unless you command the device to stop.

Does Google Track You Even When You’re Logged Out?

Some Google activities are still collected even if you are logged out. If your cookies are active, your website activities can be recorded. Your IP address and device browsing are sometimes recorded separately unless you restrict them. It does not link your name to the data collected, but it can collect the data under an anonymous profile for recording the device’s browsing behavior.

Can Google See Your Incognito Mode Activity?

Incognito mode can only prevent your Google history from getting saved on your personal device. It still stores your data as anonymous on your internet network. The device activities are recorded under your IP address to ensure a digital footprint for the online activities.

If your device and website cookies are active, your Google activities can still be tracked by your internet service provider.

Google can also see your activities on its own platform, such as YouTube.

How to View Your Google Activity History

You can check all your data on the Google My Activity dashboard. Here are simple steps you can use to find your activity history on Google.

1. Go to myactivity.google.com.
2. Sign in to your Google account.
3. Browse through different categories like Search, YouTube, Assistant, Ads, and Location.

You’ll see a full timeline of everything Google has stored. 

How to Control Google from Tracking You

Google activity history can be controlled or limited using several methods. These controls help you decide what Google can access on your account and devices.

Pause Activity Controls

You can pause Web & App Activity, Location History, search history, and tracking options from “History Settings” on your Google account. This stops Google from recording your new information.

Delete Your Activity Data

You can easily erase history manually or set auto-delete options. It will help you to clear your browsing data and app activities regularly. You can delete history by going to the “My Activity” page and manually deleting the saved history.

Manage Permissions

You can manage your app permissions and stop Google from accessing your activities. You can limit ad personalization, block location access, and reduce how much Google can collect from your device.

Turn Off Chrome Sync

If you disable sync on your device, Chrome can no longer send browsing data to your account. However, your bookmarks, history, and passwords can be saved on your device.

Conclusion

FAQs

• What is Google activity history?

Google Activity history is a collection of your activities on the Google search engine and its connected applications.

• Is my location always tracked?

Location can only be tracked if your device location setting is turned on.

• Does Google save my voice commands?

Yes, the commands are saved unless you turn off voice activity in your settings.

• Can Google see my YouTube watch history?

Yes, your YouTube watch history can be tracked if your device account is signed in.

• Does Google collect data when I use Chrome?

Yes, Google collects your data when you use Chrome through device sync.