This could be embarrasing.
Posted on 04/20/2005 7:09:32 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
By MICHAEL LIEDTKE, AP Business Writer
Google Inc. is experimenting with a new feature that enables the users of its online search engine to see all of their past search requests and results, creating a computer peephole that could prove as embarrassing as it is helpful.
Activating Google's "My Search History" service, unveiled Wednesday afternoon at http://labs.google.com, requires users to create a personal login with a password. Users of Google's e-mail, discussion groups and answer services can simply use their existing log-ins.
The service allows users to decide if they want Google to automatically recognize them without having to log in each time they use the same computer. Those who prefer to log in on each visit can use a link that will appear in the right-hand corner of Google's home page.
Whenever a user is logged in, Google will provide a detailed look at all their past search activity. The service also includes a "pause" feature that prevents it from being displayed in the index.
Users will be able to pinpoint a search conducted on a particular day, using a calendar that's displayed on the history page. The service sometimes will point out a past search result related to a new search request.
Google is hoping the service becomes so valuable that people will use its search engine even more frequently than they already do, giving the company more opportunities to display text-based ads that boost its profits.
"We think there is some value in providing people with visibility into their past activity on Google," said Marissa Mayer, the company's director of consumer Web products.
But privacy rights expert Pam Dixon is worried the service will make it easier for mischief makers, snoops and perhaps even the government to get their hands on a user's entire search history.
"It's really a bad idea," said Dixon, executive director of the World Privacy Forum. "If you need to keep track of your past searches, I recommend using a notebook. It would be a lot more private and a lot less risky."
Mountain View-based Google believes the service has adequately addressed privacy concerns, although Mayer conceded people who share a computer might not want to use the service. "This isn't for someone who is particularly sloppy about signing in and signing off," she said. "You have to have very good computer hygiene to use this."
Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO - news), Ask Jeeves Inc. and A9.com, a search engine owned by Amazon.com Inc., offer a feature that provides users with a limited look at past search activity. Google's software for searching computer hard drives, introduced last fall, also provides a snapshot of past Web searches.
But Google promises its latest feature will dig deeper than its rivals or even its own desktop search product.
The online service is designed to store years of each individual's search activity, although users can remove selected links from their personal archive at any time.
Because the history feature requires an individual login, it could help Google better understand each user so it can customize its results to reflect a person's specific interests, said industry analyst Charlene Li of Forrester Research.
But Li doubts Google's latest feature will have mass appeal. "I don't think this is going to be very important to the average person," Li said. "Most people are kind of paranoid, so they are going to be wondering, 'Why should I give all my information to Google?'"
Uh oh.
I can't figure out why anyone would need this...
"Gee, I need some info but but I don't recall what it is I'm looking for, maybe I looked for something similar in the past ..."
This could be embarrasing.
Eaker !!
Uh-oh...
You have to (presumably) decide on your own to sign up for this.
Google uses a cookie that expires sometime around 2039 or so. Of course, if you get rid of that cookie each day and you don't have a static IP address then google doesn't know who you are from day to day (unless you signup for their service).
IOW, "fears are overblown", at least for semi-savvy searchers.
Google's AdWords lets you bid on specific search terms, so they and all other search engine companies keep a very close tab on what's being searched for and what those terms are worth to advertisers. They probably also know how well those convert. I.e., if someone clicks on a widget ad, how likely are they to then buy widgets off the site the ad takes them to.
I should clear my cache,
Right?
A pic of a statue of Peter Pan? I'm seeing a pic of "hot linking at pixyland is not permitted" graphic.
I missed the story about the wrestlers who delivered the wolphin in the back of the Pontiac Solstice while Lance Armstrong and Britney Spears looked on.
Block ALL Google cookies.
Do NOT install the "Google toolbar".
Do NOT use "G mail."
Enjoy this site;
http://www.google-watch.org/
This isn't news. Google's had a GUID in their cookies since they launched, and anyone who doesn't know about that doesn't read terms of service very closely.
If you go to imilly.com, there's a Javascript code you can run from your browser to anonymize your ID, making Google privacy-safe.
LOL.......This will be an ugly thread.......:o)
He had "the look" down pat until he put on the Chukka boots....:))
Dixon's got it right.
I try to avoid using google and use AlltheWeb.com a lot. It gives me excellent results, and needs one less keystroke than google if looking up photos, etc.
Do a search on Google for "Pixyland Pixy pr0n".
:)
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