# One week Left to delete Google History, 3 Easy Steps **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 23, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767 "2012-02-23T20:33:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/21 "2012-02-24T01:00:43Z")
I also had the option to turn the web history on, then pause it. I wish I hadn’t done that. I had no history, and now I’m paused. However, I found this in help: "Pause your Web History If you’re visiting a webpage or performing a search that you don’t want stored in your web history: 1. Go to [google.com/history.new](http://google.com/history.new) window 2. Click Pause to prevent your future web activity from being saved in Web History and from being used to personalize your search results. To start keeping track of your web activity again, click Resume. If you’d like to sign out of Web History altogether, click your name or email address at the top of the page, then select Sign out from the drop-down menu. Note that you’ll need to sign back in to your Google Account in order for Web History to begin storing your web activity again." I assume that means that any time I sign back in, Google will automatically being storing my web activity, although it was paused when I signed out. So I will have to manually pause it any time I log out and log back in. Feh. ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/22 "2012-02-24T01:11:21Z")
I have a friend who works at Google and I’ve emailed him to ask about the assumption I made in my previous post. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/23 "2012-02-24T01:21:34Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Same. I really don’t care that much. If it brings targeted advertising, I prefer that to random shit I’ll never need. If they start abusing my good will towards them for this, then they can go, but until then I expect it to be invisible and seamless. The problem is, once they’ve abused it, you can’t get your information back. Once, say, they start selling information to employers who then use the information to decide to put you on some blacklist in your field, there’s nothing you can do about it. I mean, it’s somewhat reasonable to say not to put anything you don’t want everyone to possibly know on Facebook. It’s another to say that you can never search for anything you wouldn’t want everyone in the world to know about. It would be nice if people were all rational adults and realized that, for example, looking for furry porn doesn’t affect how well you’d do as an IT person, but that’s not the world we live in. As the OP’s Franklin quote shows, the idea is not that what Google is currently planning to do with the information is onerous, but that it’s easier to stop it now before it becomes onerous. Oh, and don’t forget that Google constantly tries to get you to add your cell number to your account. Yes, I’m sure they’re really concerned with the possibility I’ll lose my password–that’s why the alternate email address I’ve provided isn’t enough. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/24 "2012-02-24T01:35:15Z")
I’m puzzled by the web settings too. I know Google remembers my searches because if I type in certain words then Googles first suggestion are phrases I recently used. I run CClean daily and its not getting that info from my Cookies. ---
**Author:** ![Ubiquity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a5b964/32.png) [@Ubiquity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ubiquity)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/25 "2012-02-24T02:10:35Z")
Aww jeez,not this shit again. If you’re worried about your browsing history,you’re way beyond the curve. This has been public knowledge for years. The only problem is Google’s algorithms. I have a predilection for martians with four toes. Could I be a terrorist? I’ll have “Big Sis” knocking down my door within the week. --or not. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/26 "2012-02-24T02:49:00Z")
> [@Ubiquity](#): > > Aww jeez,not this shit again. If you’re worried about your browsing history,you’re way beyond the curve. This has been public knowledge for years. The only problem is Google’s algorithms. I have a predilection for martians with four toes. Could I be a terrorist? > I’ll have “Big Sis” knocking down my door within the week. --or not. Um, what? 😕 :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/27 "2012-02-24T03:06:50Z")
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my 17 years on the internet, it’s that privacy is an illusion. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/28 "2012-02-24T03:20:45Z")
when will Homeland Security throw people out of America for something they googled? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/29 "2012-02-24T03:51:26Z")
Hilarious. First searches recorded (presumably after I first got my Gmail account): June 25, 2006: **chimpanzee tail** **chimpanzee no tail** June 26, 2006 **attacked by goose while fishing** **jumping spider nine eyes** What was I doing!?! I swear I’m not an animal perv. There are also thumbnails of some… rather attractive ladies. And me trying to find an ex girlfriend. Think I’ll delete it. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/30 "2012-02-24T08:33:21Z")
Followed it, thanks for the advice, but now how do I get rid of that slightly scummy feeling for having done something recommended by the DailyFail? Do I now need to start frothing at the mouth and spouting insanities like “[ARE SINGLE MOTHERS TURNING THE COUNTRYSIDE GAY?](http://www.qwghlm.co.uk/toys/dailymail/)” ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/31 "2012-02-24T23:46:30Z")
Just pretend you read it on [Gizmodo.com](http://Gizmodo.com)… ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/32 "2012-02-26T00:04:07Z")
None of my three accounts, nor my husband’s account had anything listed, and no options to “Remove All Web History” or even to view it. Joining the bandwagon of others who are guessing that means we set our privacy restrictions well enough beforehand? ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/33 "2012-02-27T16:52:27Z")
Mine was turned off, but I’m really not understanding this “ZOMG Google knows what you’ve been searching for” hysteria. I mean, really, who gives a shit? ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/34 "2012-02-27T16:58:55Z")
Homeland Security? i mean if they can take joke tweets seriously, why wouldn’t they do the same for google? don’t ever search for any of their trigger words. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/35 "2012-02-27T17:14:04Z")
> [@shijinn](#): > > Homeland Security? i mean if they can take joke tweets seriously, why wouldn’t they do the same for google? don’t ever search for any of their trigger words. Oh oh. Your post contains “Homeland Security,” “search,” and “trigger.” You’re in trouble now. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767/36 "2012-02-27T17:24:22Z")
seriously man, i did not mean to \_\_\_\_\_ for \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_ and pull the \_\_\_\_\_. that is just ridic [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-left-to-delete-google-history-3-easy-steps/613767.md?page=1)