Google is one of the most widely used search engines in the world, and as such, it collects a vast amount of data on its users. This data can be used to personalize your search results, show you more relevant ads, and even improve your overall online experience. However, it can also be a source of privacy concerns. In this article, we will explore how you can access, export, and delete your Google activity to better manage your personal data.
Related article:
How to Disable Browser History in Google Chrome
Accessing Your Google Activity
To access your Google activity, you will first need to log in to your Google account. Once logged in, you will be taken to the Google dashboard. From here, you can access a variety of different tools and settings related to your account.
To view your Google activity specifically, click on the "Data & personalization" tab. This will take you to a page where you can view and manage different types of activity that Google has collected on you, including:
- Search history
- Voice and audio activity
- YouTube search history
- YouTube watch history
- Location history
- Device information
- Activity on third-party sites and apps
- Exporting Your Google Activity
Once you have accessed your Google activity, you may want to export it for backup or to use it with other services. Google allows you to export most of your data, including search history, location history, and device information.
To export your Google activity, click on the "Download" button next to the type of activity you want to export. This will start the download process, and the data will be saved in a .json file.
Deleting Your Google Activity
If you want to delete your Google activity, you can do so by selecting the specific activity you want to delete and then clicking on the "Delete" button. You can also choose to delete your activity from specific dates, or even delete all of your activity at once.
It is important to note that deleting your Google activity will not remove it from Google's servers entirely. Instead, it will be disassociated from your account and may be retained for a certain period of time to comply with legal obligations or for security reasons.
Managing your Google activity is an important step in taking control of your personal data. By being able to access, export, and delete your activity, you can better understand what data is being collected on you and make more informed decisions about your privacy.