How to opt out of Shared Endorsements

Google's advertising over-share

How do you feel about having your mom find out that you gave “Kinky Drinking Games: Spring break edition” a four star review? Or about sharing your positive experience of hemorrhoid ointment with that client you’re trying to impress? What if your strongly pro-life supervisor at work sees your face in an ad for “Everything You Need to Know to Prepare for an Abortion?”

Not keen?

Google recently updated their Terms of Service to include something called Shared Endorsements, which will go live on November 11. If you have a Google Plus account, Shared Endorsements allow Google to use your name, image, and activity on Google sites to advertise to your family and friends.

Google Plus users under eighteen years of age are automatically excluded from Shared Endorsements, but adults need to change their account settings if they don’t want their information used in ads.

If you would like to opt out, here’s how:

1)      Sign in to your Google Plus account

2)      From the “Home” drop-down menu in the top left corner, choose “Settings.”

3)      Check to see if Shared Endorsements are on or off. If they are on, click “Edit.”

Google Plus settings page with Shared Endorsements enabled

Google Plus settings page with Shared Endorsements enabled

 

4)      The Shared Endorsements page is long and the actual opt-out is below the fold. Scroll down. You’re looking for this:

 

Checkbox for Shared Endorsements

Checkbox for Shared Endorsements

 

5)      Make sure the tick box is un-checked, then hit “Save.”

6)      A warning message will pop up; hit “Continue.”

 

Confirmation of opting out of Shared Endorsements

Please don’t go! It’ll hurt your friends.

 

You’ve opted out.  Go plus-one  “Rabid Zombie Ferret Fanciers” in (relative) privacy.

About Katherine Gorham

Katherine Gorham is a writer, editor, junior sysadmin and actor. She holds a bachelor's degree and a diploma in fine arts. Katherine blends her knowledge of technology with her creative talents to provide unique insights into problem solving that others often miss.

View All Posts