Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

Here's how you can see what Google knows about you

And get an overview of all the google services you use on a day-to-day basis.

IT’S NO NEWS that Google uses one general account to keep everything together. Once you log into one service (Gmail, YouTube, etc.), that’s used for all Google services.

All of this information is kept together in Google Dashboard, a service which allows you to access all of the Google services you use.

Everything Google saves, (search history, Google Play, Maps, Gmail, location history, Chrome sync, contacts and Android if you use such a device) can be found here.

Any relevant sections can be expanded and while you can get a quick overview of each one, there’s a more important reason for accessing this.

For one, you have access to both settings for each section as well as your own account settings.

The latter is more important since that’s where security features such as two-step verification and device management, something you should really take the time to check. Also, it saves you time having to visit each site so you can keep things under control.

It’s a good idea to bookmark it and tick the monthly reminders box so you don’t forget about it.

Google Dashboard The top of Google Dashboard where there are 28 different entries. Google Google

And how do you see what Google knows about you? Provided you’re logged into your account, use this link and you will see what Google ads knows about you. It’s pretty accurate with demographics and interests (which are based on the sites you visit)

It’s recommended that you access both services on desktop instead of mobile (unless you really like squinting or zooming in every time you load up a page).

Read: The BBC will give every 11-year-old in the UK this coding device >

Read: Twitter has banned revenge porn and doxxing >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
16 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds