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Google now allows you to download, delete your search history

The search history deletion feature takes a big step beyond the Google Chrome feature that allows users to clear their browsing history on their browser. Users are now able to delete their search data from Google’s servers permanently.

Venture Beat reports that the new download feature was introduced in January. But users were generally unaware of it until the unofficial Google Operating Blog reported about it last week.

Being able to download your search history allows you to export your data to other services.

“You can download all your saved search history to see a list of the terms you have searched for. This gives you access to your data when and where you want,” Google says.

The feature allows users to download not only searches on Google’s search engine, but also searches from users’ email accounts and Google Maps. The archived list of search history also includes links and images users clicked from their searches.

But Google warns users about the dangers of downloading their entire search history on public and personal computers where they are at risk of unauthorized access.

Google urges users to read the warning contained in a pop-up window carefully before proceeding to download their search history to personal computers, saying “Please read this carefully, it’s not the usual yada yada…”

 Please read this carefully  it s not the usual yada yada.

“Please read this carefully, it’s not the usual yada yada.”
Google

Google recommends that users keep their downloaded data safe by enabling a two-step verification process. You may read instructions about how to enable two-step verification here.

Google also warns users about the risk of exporting their search history to other services.

“If you have decided to take your data elsewhere, please research the data export policies of your destination. Otherwise, if you ever want to leave the service, you may have to leave your data behind,” Google says.

Users who still wish to download their search history to their computers after reading Google’s warning may follow these steps:

1. How to download your entire Google search history

a. Sign into your Google account.

b. Open to your “Web & App Activity” page (https://history.google.com/history/).

 Web & App Activity  page

“Web & App Activity” page
Google

c. Click the gear icon on the top-right corner of your “Web & App Activity” page.

 Click the gear icon on the top-right corner of your  Web & App Activity” page

‘Click the gear icon on the top-right corner of your “Web & App Activity” page’
Yahoo

d. Select “download” from the drop-down menu (When you select “download” a pop-up window appears with a message warning about the dangers of downloading sensitive data to a computer).

e. Select “Create Archive.” (When you select “Create Archive” Google saves a copy of your search history to a “Takeout Folder” on Google Drive from where you may download to your computer.)

f. After selecting “Create Archive” you will receive an email from Google with a link to the “Takeout Folder.”

Google also informs users who wish to delete their entire search history to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before proceeding. Google uses your search history to deliver enhanced and personalized results with speed and accuracy. Deleting your search history compromises the quality and relevance of search results when you query the search engine.

For users who wish to continue enjoying the benefits of search results tailored to their needs, Google recommends Chrome’s privacy options instead. Chrome’s privacy options can be used to instruct Google not to save search history data.

You may learn how to choose your privacy settings under Google Chrome’s privacy options here. Users also have the option of using Google’s “Incognito Mode” on Google Chrome. “Incognito Mode” stops Chrome from recording your browsing history and blocks cookies. But keep in mind that privacy options available on Chrome do not prevent your service provider from accessing your search data.

If you still wish to delete your entire search history, follow these steps:

[Note: Deleting your search history on Chrome only clears your browser, it does not delete your search data on Google’s servers. Google now allows you to delete your search history on their servers on your “Web & App Activity” page.]

2. How to delete your Google search history

a. Sign into your Google account.

b. Open to your “Web & App Activity” page (https://history.google.com/history/).

c. Click the gear icon on the top-right corner of the page.

 Click the gear icon on the top-right corner of the page

‘Click the gear icon on the top-right corner of the page’
Yahoo

d. Click “Remove Items.”

Click  Remove Items

Click ‘Remove Items’
Google

e. Select the time period for searches you wish to delete. Selecting “beginning of time” deletes you entire search history.

f. Select “Remove.”

Select  Remove

Select ‘Remove’
Google

Google explains that clicking “Remove” does not actually remove your search history from Google servers. It only instructs Google to stop associating your search history with your Google Account; that is, Google permanently stops assigning your data to your Google Account.

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