Google account history, saved media and audio

The settings are changing gradually

Google's current help describes a gradual rollout of Search Services History and Personalized Recommendations. Accounts that do not yet show the new settings still use Web & App Activity for those Search services. The rollout is not described as complete for every account. Google: settings rollout and scope

History can include more than a search term

Google lists queries, AI responses, viewed Maps places, clicked ads and related information among possible Search Services History items. Depending on settings, interactions can also include media such as Lens images and voice recordings. These are the company's descriptions of its collection. Google: Search Services History

The overview identifies Search, Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate and News as Search services. It separately identifies Chrome, Gemini Apps, Google Assistant and YouTube as services with other history settings. Google: settings rollout and scope

Saving media and allowing media review are separate choices

Google says Save Media controls images, files, audio and video stored with Search Services History. Turning it off does not stop text history or transcripts, and does not delete earlier saved media. Google: saved media and review controls

Its help describes a separate setting for human review during model improvement. Turning that review setting off can still leave automated training and limited reviews for feedback, debugging or safety. Read the actual scope of each control. Google: saved media and review controls

Assistant audio has its own documented scope

Google's Assistant audio help describes an optional Include voice and audio activity setting within Web & App Activity. Turning it off stops that account-saving route but does not delete old recordings or stop audio processing needed to respond. Other services and on-device audio settings remain separate. Google: Assistant audio setting

Deleting an original has limits

Google says data already selected for AI training is disconnected from the account and can be retained for up to four years. Deleting the original activity does not withdraw that already selected data. Google: Search Services History · Google: saved media and review controls

Its broader retention policy describes a deletion process that generally takes about two months, backups that can retain data for up to six months, and specified reasons for longer retention. These are company policy timeframes, with stated exceptions. Google: retention and deletion process