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Google - Inside The Looking Glass

By
Real Estate Agent with Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 BRE# 01494165

We all know that Google knows a lot about us. Those sneaky little devils follow our every move on the Internet. This week, Google has given us some tools to understand what Google does and does not know/use and some tools to better control our data's use. 

You may already know about the About Me page. This is mine.  As you can see, this page contains a lot of information about me. It also allows me to edit the information or remove it entirely. 

From there you can utilize the Privacy Checkup which take you through a series of screens where you can adjust your privacy settings. You will begin with your Google + settings and from there you can customize who has access to what. 

The most important section is Personalize Your Google Experience. This is where you can choose what Google sees and shares. You can "pause" the gathering of information from the Internet to your personal account. 

Finally, there is a section which allows you to opt-out of the option of getting customized ads based on your browsing history and other online activity which is tracked by Google. 

This is not a cure-all for what ails us with online tracking, but it's a great start and gives you more control than you would imagine in one centralized location. 

 

Comments(12)

Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I think I'd seen that page before, but not positive.  There's so much to remember.

Nov 12, 2015 10:35 AM
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

Thanks for the info Karen, I'll check this out...I didn't know Google gave us any say over how much they creep on us.

Nov 12, 2015 11:00 AM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Karen - Thanks for sharing this information. Sometimes it is good to have the ability to opt-out of things.

Nov 12, 2015 11:03 AM
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Great stuff!  Thanks for sharing.  If you use a Google phone, there are also similar privacy settings there that you should look into.

Nov 12, 2015 11:27 AM
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Karen,
Thanks for the heads up. It will be interesting to see if Google and I agree on what is best for me.

Nov 12, 2015 11:33 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Karen. Guess I have some investigating to do in the near future. Enjoy your day!

Nov 12, 2015 07:24 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner Thanks for this blog post and as I read it, I went to my Google Account and tweeked the setting just a bit.

Nov 12, 2015 09:39 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

This is stuff I had no idea about.  Thank you so much for sharing.  I'm bookmarking it for homework.

Nov 13, 2015 06:56 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Featured in the group:  BARTENDER, MAKE IT A DOUBLE.

Nov 13, 2015 06:57 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Didn't know you could slow down the ads, will definately go in & do that. Came over from another post you commented on about this.

Nov 18, 2015 12:11 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Karen, when I click on the link "This is Mine", it is MINE! LOL That kinda freaked me out a little. I'll check it out to see if any of my settings should be changed. Thanks.

Nov 19, 2015 09:41 AM