Customization based on search activity vs personalization

[indyank]

Google seems to have introduced this "Customization based on search activity" which you can notice through the web history link.This is not the same as Personalization results.Personalization is displayed only we log into our google account while "Customization based on search activity" is done even if we don't log in. But we can disable this as well, in web history, without logging in.

Search via google displays different results, if "Customization based on search activity" is enabled and when it is disabled for keywords that you usually search.

i wasn't aware of this earlier.Just thought of posting it here.

[tedster]

Google sometimes seems to use the words Personalization and Customization in different ways, but they're not 100% consistent so I tend to think different writers are just being casual. Here's what I currently understand about two kinds of "customization" or "personalization". It comes down to two types - search history or location:

Search History
Signed in with Web History enabled - based on your Web History
Signed in with Web History disabled - no historical customizations
Signed out - customization based on a browser cookie

Location
Signed in - can be based on a preference you registered in Google Maps
Signed out - based on the location of your IP address

Google References
Search customization details [google.com]
Turning off personalization [google.com]

[indyank]

thanks Tedster....