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Google is now using personal images in its advertisements, but you can prevent your face from appearing with the help of Shared Endorsements.
Shared Endorsements works similarly to Google Authorship, where the author’s name and image appear next to the search results. The service uses an individual’s +1’s to display recommendations to friends and connections. For example, while browsing a music store, you may see a friend’s recommendation for a new album by your favorite artist or an advertisement featuring a 5-star review from your connection.
Starting November 11th, your face will start to appear in search results. This has raised concerns among people who do not want their image used in Google ads. But opting out is easy, and we will explain how below.
Simply go to the Shared Endorsements settings in Google, which allows you to eliminate the use of your images in advertisements online. It is essential, as unchecking the Shared Endorsements box prevents Google from sharing your recommendations with your friends and contacts, and you may also miss out on some suggestions.
Here are the steps to opt-out of Google’s Shared Endorsements:
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1. Log in to www.google.com with your email address and password.
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2. Click on the link: https://plus.google.com/settings/endorsements or click on your Profile picture, select Account to Google+ in the sidebar and Edit Shared Notes.
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3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and select the box that says, “Based Upon My Activity, Google May Show My Name and Profile Photo In Shared Endorsements That Appear In Ads.”
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4. Click Save.
After following these simple steps, your shared endorsements based on Google+ activity will no longer appear, and your face will not be used in advertisements.
Google’s integration of search and social media has been occurring for some time, and they are shown next to the natural search results for a particular period. As Alex Tait, Marketing Week, stated, Shared Endorsements are designed to enhance the Click-Through Rate of paid ads and improve the user experience. Advertisers are interested in Shared Recommendations since most people are likely to trust peer recommendations rather than the published messages of more traditional ad formats.
It is crucial to note that clicking a +1 on a page does not necessarily mean one approves of the product or news article. People may click +1 to raise their objections against a particular issue. Similarly, people may “Like” Facebook pages while having a deep dislike of the subject matter of the situation. This means attaching personal images in advertisements could be misleading and untrustworthy, undermining Google’s overall credibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not mandatory, but if you are concerned with your image being used in advertisements, it is recommended to opt-out.
No, opting out will not affect your Google account or negatively impact any Google products or services.