Let’s be real: Google is pretty much unavoidable. Whether you’re searching for a recipe, checking out a new restaurant, or watching cat videos on YouTube, you’re probably using Google. It’s fast, convenient, and seems to have all the answers. But here’s the catch — while you’re using Google, Google is also using you. So, ¡let’s see how to protect your privacy when using Google!

Every search you make, every map route you check, and every video you stream contributes to a detailed profile about you. Google uses this data to serve you ads, personalize your experience, and, in some cases, share information with third parties. Creepy? Yep. Unavoidable? Not necessarily.

If you’re tired of feeling like you’re under constant surveillance, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explore practical tips and tools to help you protect your privacy when using Google. We’ll break it down step by step, so you can take control without giving up the convenience of Google completely.

Why should you care about privacy on Google?

First, before we dive into the tips, let’s talk about why you should even care. After all, you might think, “I have nothing to hide.” But privacy isn’t about hiding things — it’s about having control over your personal information.

Here’s why protecting your privacy matters:

• Personalized ads overload: Ever searched for something once and then seen ads for it everywhere? That’s Google’s data collection at work.
• Data breaches: The more data Google has, the more vulnerable you are if a breach occurs.
• Surveillance concerns: Governments or third parties can request access to your data.
• Loss of control: The more data you give away, the less control you have over how it’s used.

Even if you’re not a secret agent or a tech guru, you have the right to privacy. So let’s explore how you can protect your privacy when using Google.

1. Review and adjust your Google Privacy Settings

Google offers a bunch of privacy settings, but they’re not always easy to find or understand. Let’s demystify them.

Go to your Google Account Settings

First, head to myaccount.google.com. This is your hub for managing privacy, security, and personal info.

Manage your activity controls

Google tracks your activity across its services. You can decide how much of this tracking you want to allow.

1. Go to Data & Privacy.
2. Click on “Activity Controls.”
3. You’ll see options like:
   • Web & App Activity: Tracks searches, websites, and apps you use.
   • Location History: Records where you go with your devices.
   • YouTube History: Tracks your watch and search history on YouTube.

Tip: Toggle these off if you want to limit tracking. You can also click “Auto-delete” to set your data to be erased after 3, 18, or 36 months.

Personalized ads settings

Ads are one of the biggest reasons Google collects data. To reduce this:

1. Go to adssettings.google.com.
2. Turn off “Personalized Ads.”

This won’t stop ads completely, but it’ll prevent Google from showing you ads based on your search history.

By regularly reviewing these settings, you can take back control and protect your privacy when using Google.

2. Use incognito mode the right way

Incognito mode isn’t the magic cloak of invisibility some people think it is. But it does offer some protection.

What incognito mode does:

• Doesn’t save your browsing history on your device.
• Deletes cookies and temporary data when you close the window.

What incognito mode doesn’t do:

• Doesn’t hide your activity from Google itself.
• Doesn’t prevent websites from tracking you.
• Doesn’t hide your IP address.

When should you use Incognito Mode? Try it when you:

• Share a computer and don’t want others to see your history.
• Log into multiple accounts simultaneously.
• Look up something sensitive that you don’t want saved in your history.

For better privacy, combine Incognito mode with other tools, like a VPN (more on that soon).

Check the next article for learn more: Understanding the incognito mode in Google Chrome

3. Switch to private search engines

Google Search is great, but it’s not your only option. If you want to limit tracking, consider using a privacy-focused search engine.

Top private search engines

1. DuckDuckGo:
   • Doesn’t track your searches or personal data.
   • Offers a clean, Google-like experience.
   • Install the DuckDuckGo browser extension for easy access.
2. Try it: duckduckgo.com
3. Startpage:
   • Uses Google’s search results but strips out tracking.
   • Ideal if you love Google’s results but hate the privacy invasion.
4. Try it: startpage.com
5. Brave Search:
   • Developed by the makers of the Brave browser.
   • Prioritizes privacy and doesn’t track your searches.
6. Try it: search.brave.com

Switching to these search engines is one of the simplest ways to protect your privacy when using Google alternatives.

4. Tame Google’s location tracking

Google loves to know where you are. Location data is valuable for serving location-based ads, recommendations, and more. If that freaks you out, here’s how to manage it.

Turn off location history

1. Go to myactivity.google.com.
2. Click on “Location History.”
3. Toggle it off.

Delete past location data

1. Open Google Maps.
2. Go to “Your Timeline.”
3. Click on the gear icon and select “Delete all Location History.”

Disable location on your device

• On Android:
  • Settings > Location > Turn Off.
• On iPhone:
  • Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Turn Off.

5. Use a VPN to hide your IP address

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address, making it harder for Google to track your location.

Top VPNs for privacy

1. ExpressVPN: Fast, reliable, and easy to use.
2. NordVPN: Offers strong encryption and privacy features.
3. Surfshark: Affordable and allows unlimited devices.

How to use a VPN

1. Download the VPN app on your device.
2. Connect to a server in the location of your choice.
3. Browse with more privacy and peace of mind.

A VPN won’t make you completely invisible, but it adds a strong layer of protection.

6. Ditch Google tools for privacy-friendly alternatives

Google’s suite of tools is extensive — Gmail, Google Drive, Google Chrome — but there are privacy-focused alternatives for almost everything.

Alternative tools to consider

• Email:
  • ProtonMail: Encrypted and privacy-focused.
  • Tutanota: Secure and user-friendly.
• Browser:
  • Brave: Blocks ads and trackers by default.
  • Firefox: Highly customizable with privacy features.
• Cloud Storage:
  • Sync.com: Offers strong encryption.
  • Tresorit: Focuses on security and privacy.

Switching some of these tools will help you maintain your privacy beyond just search.

7. Keep your devices and accounts secure

Privacy and security go hand-in-hand. Here are some quick tips:

• Use strong passwords:
  • Consider a password manager like LastPass or 1Password.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
  • Add an extra layer of protection to your Google account.

• Update regularly:
  • Keep your apps and devices up-to-date to patch security vulnerabilities.

Balance privacy and convenience

As we saw, you don’t have to abandon Google entirely to protect your privacy. Small changes can make a big difference. By tweaking your settings, using private search engines, and exploring privacy-friendly tools, you can protect your privacy when using Google without sacrificing convenience.

Take back control of your digital life. Your privacy is worth it!