Search Services History is a new Google account control that can include images you upload, voice searches and files you ask about. The Save Media toggle inside that setting determines whether Google keeps those media items and, Google says, may use them to improve AI models.
The feature is rolling out gradually and appears tied to prior choices such as Web & App Activity and Search Personalization. If you use Lens for product lookups, Translate’s speaking practice, or voice search on your phone, check Search Services History now to see whether Save Media is active for your account.
What changed
Google added Search Services History as a central place to manage media attached to Search interactions. Unlike a plain typed-search log, this setting can collect visual and audio snippets created when you use Search features like Google Lens (photos you snap for identification), Search Live (photo-based conversation assistants), Translate speaking practice or voice searches.
The notable new control is the Save Media switch. When enabled, Google says Save Media lets the company retain images, recorded voice snippets and uploaded files tied to Search so you can revisit past visual or spoken queries; Google also says such saved media may be used to improve its AI technologies.
How Search Services History works
Google describes Search Services History as an aggregation of media-rich activity generated by Search tools. That can include a picture you upload to Lens to identify a plant, an image file you ask Search to analyze, a voice query recorded by Search Live or Translate practice clips. The setting groups those items separately from plain typed-search history.
The rollout seems staggered. Google says availability may depend on whether you previously allowed Web & App Activity or Search Personalization. Accounts with those toggles on may see Search Services History enabled automatically; others may not see the control yet.
What Save Media does and does not do
Turning off Save Media stops Google from saving media from future Search interactions into Search Services History. Practically, that means future Lens snaps or Translate practice clips won’t be archived to this history collection if Save Media is off.
However, Save Media has limits. It does not automatically erase media you already saved; it does not necessarily prevent text transcripts or some AI-generated responses from being retained if Search Services History remains active; and it does not control activity in other Google products. For example, Gemini Apps, YouTube, NotebookLM and Google Voice use separate controls and are not governed by the Save Media toggle.
Also, turning Save Media off won’t stop Search from showing immediate responses that rely on the media you just uploaded or recorded. Google says it may still use content transiently to answer your query or keep services safe even if it isn’t saved to Search Services History.
Google’s claims on training and retention
Google says saved media may be used to improve its AI models. The company states that media chosen for model training is detached from a user’s account and can be retained for up to four years. Those are Google’s statements about how the data may be treated; they are not independent verification of outcomes.
In practice, that means deleting an item from your account may not remove any copy already selected for training. Google says media selected for training is anonymized from account ties before being kept for the stated retention window.
What to do now: check settings and delete past media
If you prefer that photos, voice clips and uploaded files not be saved to Search Services History or used for AI training, take these steps. A desktop browser or a tablet often makes the account pages easier to scan.
- Sign in to the Google Account you want to check at myaccount.google.com.
- Open Data & privacy (or Activity controls) and look for Search Services History in the activity controls list.
- Find the Save Media option and toggle it off to prevent future media from being archived to Search Services History.
- To remove previously saved items, select Manage Search Services History or Review activity inside that control.
- Choose the media entries you want removed—images, voice clips or uploaded files—and use Delete. Use the time-range filters (Last hour, Last day, All time) to remove larger batches if needed.
- Repeat these steps for any other Google Accounts you use (personal, work or older accounts that remain signed in on devices).
After you delete media, remember Google says media already selected for model training may still be retained for the company’s stated retention period. Turning off Save Media is a forward-looking measure; to remove historically-saved items you must delete them from Manage Search Services History.
Why it matters
Many people treat an image search or a quick voice query as ephemeral. Under Search Services History, those moments can become semi-permanent inputs for AI systems. That can be helpful—more personalized search results, better visual recommendations—but it broadens what Google may store and for how long.
If you use Lens to scan receipts or Translate to practice speech, be aware those clips and pictures could be archived unless you turn Save Media off and delete previous items. For privacy-minded users, the new control provides a clearer option to stop future media from being pooled into Search Services History.
What comes next
The setting is likely to evolve as Google finishes the rollout and updates product interfaces. Watch for changes that extend the control to more regions or that clarify how Search Services History interacts with other Google products. If Google expands Save Media coverage, it may also update retention or training disclosures.
Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson and other security commentators may publish walkthroughs and live sessions as the feature becomes widely available. If you want hands-on help, the CyberGuy Live class mentioned in Fox News’ reporting is one such resource.
Source and next steps
This report is based on Fox News reporting and statements attributed to Google. For the original coverage, see: Google may use your photos and voice to train AI — Fox News.
The article references guidance and quotes attributed to Google and mentions Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson; Fox News noted a free CyberGuy Live class on July 22 covering reducing spam and robocalls along with privacy tips.
FAQ
How do I turn off Save Media for Search Services History?
Sign into your Google Account, open Data & privacy or Activity controls, find Search Services History and toggle Save Media off. Then use Manage Search Services History to remove any previously saved media.
Will Google still use past photos or voice to train AI after I turn off Save Media?
Google says previously saved media may continue to be used to improve its technologies unless you delete it. Media already selected for AI training, Google says, may be kept for up to four years and is no longer connected to your account.
Does Save Media affect Gemini Apps, YouTube, or Google Voice?
No. Save Media applies only to Search Services History. Gemini Apps, YouTube, NotebookLM and Google Voice use separate controls and are not covered by this setting.
