Google Policy Allows Connected App Information to Inform Ads

Google's updated privacy policy now permits connected app information to inform personalized ads, extending Search's use of summaries and inferences while leaving inboxes and photo libraries out of direct ad targeting.

The revision took effect Oct. 16. It covers information from Drive, Gmail and Google Photos that users choose to make available to Google services that support advertising. Search and Gemini Apps are among the services that may access information from other Google services, subject to the settings and policies of the service receiving it.

In Search, connected app summaries, excerpts and inferences may help personalize ads. Google says ads are not based directly on the contents of Gmail inboxes or Google Photos libraries, and advertisers cannot access those apps. A Google spokesperson also said sensitive information will not be used to tailor ads.

A Google spokesperson confirmed that the company is testing ads in AI Mode for people who link apps through Personal Intelligence. Ad selection may take into account a user's query, the surrounding AI response and the user's interests. Google has not disclosed the test's size, duration or geographic scope.

To connect apps in Search, users must enable Personalized Recommendations and link their content apps in Search settings. They can disconnect apps or switch off the setting. Google says disconnecting an app or deleting its original content does not erase information already saved in Search Services History.

Google announced Personal Intelligence for Search on Jan. 22, initially allowing eligible U.S. Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers to connect Gmail and Google Photos. The feature later expanded to Android Auto on Oct. 20, in an expansion of Personal Intelligence to Google's in-car platform.