Google updated its privacy policy on October 16. Information from Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos that users allow Personal Intelligence to access may be used to make ads more relevant to their interests.
Advertisers will not see this information or users’ direct identifying information, and Google still does not use sensitive categories such as health, religion, or sexual orientation for ad targeting. Users can disconnect apps from Personal Intelligence or turn off Personalized Recommendations through Search Services Personalization settings.
Key Points Google Users Need to Know
As of October 16, 2026, Google added an exception to its privacy policy. Previously, the policy stated that information in Gmail, Drive, and Google Photos would not be used for personalized advertising.
If users connect these services to AI Mode or Search through Personal Intelligence, some information may be used to make ads more relevant to their interests. For example, searching for “mountain bikes” may result in seeing sports equipment ads on YouTube. Using AI that understands more personal context therefore comes with advertising terms that users should read carefully.
When More Relevant Answers May Come with More Targeted Ads
Imagine allowing Personal Intelligence to connect Gmail, Drive, or Google Photos with AI Mode and Search tools so that answers or recommendations can better understand you. Information from these services may be passed to Google services that support personalized advertising.
Advertisers will not see information in Gmail or Photos, and Google states that it will not use information for ads based on sensitive categories such as religion or health. But the important question is: how much convenience from AI are we willing to trade for ads based on personal content?
Where Google Is Positioning Personal Intelligence
Personal Intelligence is a feature in Google Search that connects information from Gmail, Drive, and Google Photos with AI Mode and other Search tools, allowing it to answer questions or make recommendations that are more relevant to individual users.
Gemini Apps may also access information from Google services that users have authorized. Overall, this is not a standalone product, but rather an experience-personalization layer spanning Search, AI Mode, and Gemini Apps, powered by information from Google’s personal services.
From the Previous Promise to a New Policy Exception
The key change is the new exception. If users allow another Google service to access their information, that service may use the information to make ads more relevant to their interests.
| Factor | Previous wording | New wording |
|---|---|---|
| Information from Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos | Not used for personalized advertising | May be used if the user allows another Google service to access the information |
| Condition | This exception did not appear in the previous wording | Applies to Google services that support personalized advertising |
Therefore, the issue is not that advertisers will see personal information directly, but that information users allow other services to access may affect the ads they see later.
How Your Information Works in Real-World Situations
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Connect Gmail or Google Photos to Search through Personal Intelligence: Search may use the information you authorize to tailor answers and recommendations more closely to you.
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Use AI Mode or Search tools while connecting Drive, Gmail, and Photos: The service will understand context from this information and may use accessible content in connection with personalized advertising.
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Search for “mountain bikes” in Search: The example in the terms states that you may see sports equipment ads on YouTube.
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If you do not want your information used to determine ads, you can disconnect certain apps from Personal Intelligence or turn off Personalized Recommendations.
What Google Confirms Ads Will Not See
Advertisers will not directly see information from Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos, including identifying information such as your name or email address.
Google also states that it will not use information to show ads based on sensitive categories such as race, sexual orientation, religion, or health. The system may therefore use information to identify general interests, but it does not disclose your identity or this personal information to advertisers.
Options Users Can Still Control
If you do not want information from personal services to be used for personalized advertising, Google still provides options you can adjust yourself. You can disconnect only certain apps or turn off all personalized recommendations.
| Factor | Disconnect certain apps | Turn off all Personalized Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Choose only the apps you want to disconnect | Turn off the entire Personal Intelligence feature |
| Best for | People who still want to use some recommendations | People who do not want personalized recommendations |
| Settings location | Search Services Personalization page | Search Services Personalization page |
You can manage these options on the Search Services Personalization page by choosing which apps to disconnect or turning off all Personalized Recommendations, depending on your preferred level of privacy.
Benefits and Concerns of This Policy Change
Connecting Gmail, Drive, or Google Photos to Personal Intelligence helps Search and Gemini Apps provide answers or recommendations that better understand the user, such as using authorized information to tailor content to their interests.
Pros
- +Answers and recommendations from Search or Gemini Apps become more personalized
- +You can search for information and receive recommendations that better match your interests
Cons
- −Content from Gmail, Drive, or Google Photos may become more closely connected to personalized advertising
- −Users must trade some privacy for a more personalized experience
The Price May Not Be Money, but Your Level of Privacy
Allowing Search or Gemini Apps to access Gmail, Drive, or Google Photos helps answers and recommendations better understand our context. However, the information or content we authorize for use may be connected to personalized advertising based on our interests, activities, or content from Google services.
Advertisers will not directly see information in Drive, Gmail, or Photos, including identifying information such as your name or email address. Google also states that it will not use sensitive categories such as health or religion for ad targeting. If you do not want to trade away your privacy, you can disconnect certain apps or turn off Personalized Recommendations.
Before Enabling It, Ask Yourself How Much the Convenience Is Worth
Personal Intelligence helps AI Mode and Search provide answers or recommendations that are more relevant to you because they can access information from Drive, Gmail, or Photos that you authorize. However, information from these services may also be used to help make ads more relevant to your interests.
If you do not want to trade privacy for more personalized recommendations, you can disconnect only unnecessary apps or turn off all Personalized Recommendations from the Search Services Personalization settings page. Choose the level of data sharing that best suits your own usage.
Small Changes in Wording Can Change the Meaning of Consent
Previously, Google stated that information from Drive, Gmail, or Google Photos would not be used for personalized advertising. The new wording adds an exception: if users choose to let another Google service access the information to personalize their experience.
Therefore, allowing Search or Gemini Apps to connect to this information may also be related to interest-based advertising. Users should carefully review the policy and check their data-access settings before accepting a feature that appears to make the service more convenient.