7 Lesser-Known Google Account Settings You Should Change
Overview
Most people set up a Google account once and never revisit the controls buried in myaccount.google.com. Over time, defaults around account recovery, ad personalization, and public profile sharing can drift out of sync with how you actually use the account today. A short review — ideally once or twice a year — closes gaps that accumulate as you add devices, change phone numbers, or connect third-party apps you later forget about. Visit robosino.com
Why Default Settings Aren't Always Right for You
Google's defaults are built for the average user, which means they favor convenience and broader data sharing over tighter privacy. That trade-off makes sense for a first-time setup, but it rarely matches the needs of someone who has used the account for years, added a work email as a recovery contact, or granted access to apps that are no longer installed. Reviewing settings periodically lets you tighten what no longer applies.
Account Recovery Options
Recovery phone numbers and backup emails are easy to forget once they're set. If you've changed carriers, lost access to an old email, or switched to a new primary number, an outdated recovery method can lock you out during an actual emergency instead of helping you back in. It's worth confirming both fields still point to something you currently control.
Ad Personalization and Data Sharing
Google uses signals like search history, YouTube activity, and app usage to personalize the ads you see. This can be scaled back without breaking core functionality — turning off ad personalization doesn't reduce the number of ads shown, only how targeted they are. Users who prefer less tracking-based targeting can adjust this without affecting search or Gmail performance.
Public Profile Visibility
Fields like your name, photo, and organization can be visible to anyone who looks you up via Gmail, Google Maps reviews, or shared Docs, depending on your visibility settings. It's a common surprise for people who assumed their profile was private by default. Checking what's public helps avoid oversharing details tied to a work or personal identity you'd rather keep separate.
Third-Party App Access
Every app or service you've signed into with "Continue with Google" gets listed under connected apps, along with the scope of data it can access. Many of these permissions outlive the apps themselves — a service you tried once and abandoned may still have standing access to your contacts or calendar. Revoking unused connections shrinks your exposure without affecting the tools you still rely on.
Two-Step Verification and Security Checkup
Google's built-in Security Checkup flags weak points like missing two-step verification, old app passwords, or devices you no longer use that remain signed in. Running through it takes a few minutes and surfaces issues that are easy to overlook, such as a second phone that still has full account access after being sold or replaced.
Activity Controls and Timeline
Web & App Activity and Location History (now Timeline) determine how much of your search, browsing, and movement data Google retains and uses to improve recommendations. These can be set to auto-delete after a fixed period, such as three or eighteen months, rather than being kept indefinitely — a middle ground between full tracking and turning the feature off entirely.
How Often to Review These Settings
There's no fixed schedule Google enforces, but treating this like a light annual audit — alongside changing passwords or checking connected devices — keeps the account aligned with how you actually use it. The Security Checkup and Privacy Checkup tools inside your Google Account are the fastest way to run through all seven areas in one pass.
Source
Originally published at www.wired.com.