Forum Moderators: Robert Charlton & goodroi
Today we're helping people get better search results by extending Personalized Search to signed-out users worldwide
That's a staggering statement meaning that every computer accessing Google is now being personalized, signed in or not, so any desktop, laptop or kiosk will start tracking everything everyone does and you won't be able to access the same search results from any two machines.
The possible impact to all is staggering.
It is a freedom of choice that has been taken away from the user. I think this is also why it bothers us so much.
aakk9999 is exactly right.
It is the lack of choice which grates so much.
To my mind there should be two choices:
1) Google should post up a once-only alert which states:
"Google Search has switched to Personalised Search as default from now on. This will enable us to deliver results which are closer to the kinds of things you usually search for. Are you happy to accept Personalised Search as your default search mode?"
Yes [Recommended] ¦ No, I don't want this as a default mode on this computer. [You can change your mind later, if you choose this option]
2) For every search on a computer where Personalised Search is activated as the default, there needs to be a button, as Reno suggests, which states: "No Personalised Search this time, please"
That's it!
It never fails to amuse me how Amazon's personalised suggestions are completely off the mark whenever I log in to Amazon. They're always relevant to what I looked for before - which almost never has anything to do with what I am looking for this time! Fortunately, however, I can ignore the personalised suggestions and search directly for what I want instead. How can I do that with Google, when Google's product is search?
Google, just give people the choice. 99% of users will opt in anyway and you will avoid agitating the ones who don't want to opt in.
I could also see that my wife (on another computer in the house on same wifi network) is seraching for my Xmas present!
I could also see that my wife (on another computer in the house on same wifi network) is seraching for my Xmas present!
Are you saying that you can see in the history on your PC what your wife was searching on the other PC? Are you both signing in the same Google account on both PCs whilst searching?
Because if not, then the implications are more serious.
Do I need to be logged in to see it?
Where is this "History" link?
I've been reading this thread all weekend and I can't see a history link anywhere on any account. Is this only in the USA?
Does this history infomation only work when a user is logged-in to a Google property?
I do know many people sign-in to their G-Whatever account and surf from there, is this what is causing this discussion?
What about those of us who only ever check, say, our AdSense accounts, and immediately log-out?
What is the situation if one uses a third party application every day such as ccleaner?
Am I missing something simple?
I do comprehend the choice and privacy issues etc however precisely where and when is this going to affect the experienced user not logged-in to Google, not using Chrome and one who uses ccleaner every day?
I can't see a history link anywhere on any account.
Being logged in to your Google account do a search for blue widget on the default search page.
Now on the results page in the upper right corner (next to your user name) there should be a link to your Web History.
Now on the results page in the upper right corner (next to your user name) there should be a link to your Web History.
Aha...it appeared after I tired it and immediately disappeared when I removed all cookies.
[edited by: man_in_poland at 1:20 pm (utc) on Dec. 7, 2009]
Forget CoolWebSearch, MyWebSearch and Zango. Gorg has taken all those models and optimized them for the ultimate "user authorized" advertisement experience with the world's most awesome 100 year cookie. Now you can search from anywhere in the universe and get targeted service at any computer you utilize, even those in the offices of the federal government (and by doing so you are probably violating several US laws).
Gone are the days of "malicious" spyware serving ads to you via your browser. G provides the same exact content, free from the hassle of accepting any installation license or agreement. YourSearchBar has moved to the open masses, and since it was done over a 10 year period, you barely noticed what you gave up.
Congratulations Gorg, on your pure evil plan.
