Google’s Gemini AI Can Now Access Your Search History

Google’s AI-powered chatbot, Gemini, recently introduced “Gemini with personalization” which will allow Gemini to access the user’s search history to tailor specific responses to them. Google has also announced future plans to further customize Gemini with connections to apps like Google Photos and YouTube.

The personalization feature was first uncovered by the technology news website Android Authority on March 7. Google officially confirmed it in a March 13 blog post by Gemini’s senior director of product management, Dave Citron.

Access to search history won’t be enabled by default. Users will need to manually opt in by selecting the “Personalization (experimental)” option in Gemini’s dropdown menu and granting permission to use their search history.

“This will enable Gemini to provide more personalized insights, drawing from a broader understanding of your activities and preferences to deliver responses that truly resonate with you,” Citron wrote.

Google suggests that the feature could help users with tasks like finding vacation spots, generating personalized content ideas for YouTube, or learning new hobbies and job skills.

“These updates are all designed to make Gemini feel less like a tool and more like a natural extension of you, anticipating your needs with truly personalized assistance,” Citron added.

Gemini’s personalization update is part of a larger push by Google to expand its AI offerings. In recent months, the company has rolled out AI integrations across all Workspace business plans and announced a major memory upgrade for Gemini in February. These moves are widely seen as efforts to compete with other AI platforms such as OpenAI.

However, this new personalization option has raised concerns among privacy-oriented users, who might be wary about giving Google’s AI further access to their personal search history.

Google addressed these concerns, ensuring that chats aren’t used to improve Gemini or stored outside of chat history. In the announcement, Citron also stated that Gemini will only be able to access search history with permission, and when users have the “Web & App Activity” (WAA) setting on.

Even so, privacy advocates may not be reassured. Google has faced criticism for its data privacy practices, including an ongoing class action lawsuit. Earlier this year, a judge denied a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit claiming that Google illegally accessed personal data on Android devices even with WAA explicitly turned off.