Remove Google Personalized Search

For those unfamiliar, Google has implemented a “personalized” search on your browser by default. As of this writing, they do not offer an opt-out option.

This may sound like something advantageous, as you think, How nice. Google knows what I’m looking for and will only return websites I need.

Not so fast, bucko. Google will track those websites you have clicked on and assume that you will want to see those same search results when you make queries in the future on the same subject. Personally, I don’t find this very useful, as I do a lot of searching in my business and I may not want to revisit websites that I clicked on, that were not what I was looking for.

Even if I found a website I visited numerous times in the past, I may want other options that are more relevant because they may have been updated with better information, or a better priced product I am seeking. Just because I did some shopping at Wal-mart last month doesn’t mean I want Wal-mart to be constantly shown at the top of my search returns every time I look for an item I want to purchase.

This is the trouble with “personalized” search results. You will be constantly directed to websites you visited in the past. Newer and possibly better websites will be farther down in the returns.

Though removal of the personalized search from Google isn’t an option, there is a plugin available for Firefox and Explorer browsers that allows you to search without personalization. It will appear in your browser bar where the default Google search box is displayed (as part of the drop down menu).

The plugin is safe and does not take up any additional space on your browser bar. It simply provides you with an option to do searches without it being tailored to what Google thinks you want to see over and over again. You simply need to click on your choice of plugin desired (there are many options for you to choose from) when you arrive to the website and it is installed without your needing to do anything more.

The plugin can be found here.