As you may have seen in the media – or on the bright blue bar at the top of your Google account login screen – Google has revised its Terms of Service to include a new “Shared Endorsements” setting. Similar to what Facebook does, it uses your data (photo, name and/or comments) to include in product reviews and ads that are displayed to those you are connected with. And no, you aren’t getting a share of the ad money. What’s particularly irritating about it is that you have to actively opt-out of this new default.
From the Google Shared Endorsements page:
“So your friends, family and others may see your Profile name and photo, and content like the reviews you share or the ads you +1’d. This only happens when you take an action (things like +1’ing, commenting or following) – and the only people who see it are the people you’ve chosen to share that content with.”
Bottom line: if you “+1”, follow or even comment on another Google profile (or have in the past!), your photo and name can potentially appear in advertising or reviews for that product to other users that you are connected with.
Is this such a horrible thing? No. However, it’s so easy to overlook and you have to go out of your way stop it from happening. Unless you are a tech-news junkie, its highly unlikely you would ever be aware that your cousin, boss, spouse, etc., could be seeing your picture on a Google ad or review. Something you posted in haste a year ago can come back to haunt you. Fortunately, the opt-out process is simple and easy.
So how do you opt-out of Google Shared Endorsements?
1. While logged in to your Google account, visit the Shared Endorsements page. An explanation of the policy appears – it’s an easy read.
2. Toward the bottom, you will see a checkbox (which is probably already checked for you). Uncheck it and click the Save button.
More info: