Do you remember what you Googled exactly one year ago? Google has a new web tool that allows users to download a copy of their search history. The feature exports all searches to Google Drive, from which they can download the data.
The first step is to look for the wheel located in the top-right part of the screen, in Google Account history. Then the one must click "Download."
Users will then receive a warning message. This includes an advisory to set up a two-step verification.
Next, users will quickly receive an e-mail that contains a link. The link is to the search archive of their Google Drive.
The searches are then saved in a ZIP archive. Files in the archive are located in files that are grouped by year and quarter.
There are a few important notes to consider. Users' search history will only be displayed for the period the feature has been switched on. It also only includes searches made during the period the user was signed into their Google account.
Interestingly, this search history export feature has been available to users since January, according to Venture Beat. However, it was not broadly advertised.
According to an unofficial Google blog, Google began testing the search history download during last year. Google's broader objective has been to provide their users with data from their searches.
Other tech giants such as Facebook and Twitter have also been providing their users with increased access to their own content. This has been a response from activists and critics to provide easy access of such content, according to CNET.