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Google Enhances “Results About You” Tool Amid Antitrust Concerns

Following its significant antitrust loss in 2024, Google has intensified efforts to solidify its position as the go-to search engine on the Internet. The company meticulously gathers information across the web, including data pertaining to individual users. For those concerned about their personal details appearing in Google search results, the revamped “Results About You” tool offers a more user-friendly solution. Initially launched in 2022, this tool has undergone a redesign that enhances its usability and integrates its features more effectively with search outcomes.

To begin using the “Results About You” tool—which remains fundamentally unchanged in terms of function—users must navigate to the new Results About You hub and input their personal details. While Google likely possesses information such as your phone number, email, and physical address, providing this data helps the tool identify specific information you wish to remove from the search results. Importantly, even if you don’t request a removal, Google retains this data if it is publicly available.

The features of the “Results About You” tool have been broadened with recent updates, allowing for more seamless interaction with search results. Previously, the key functionalities were confined to the tool itself, but now, the most essential options are better integrated into the ordinary search experience. Users will find them via a three-dot menu adjacent to results, though they are not overtly highlighted. After the initial AI-generated overview and various advertisements, this menu offers a straightforward option for removing specific results.

When users request removal of information that involves personal details, Google will prompt for additional context. This process is streamlined and typically takes only a few seconds. The same interface accommodates requests for removing content that is not personal in nature, such as stuff that may be illegal. However, it’s crucial to note that only requests pertaining to your own data are eligible for this type of removal. All submitted requests are documented within the “Results About You” tool, allowing for easy tracking. Nevertheless, it’s vital to remember that Google cannot directly eliminate content from the original webpages, placing the onus on users to handle such matters independently.

Source
arstechnica.com