Highlights

• New feature consolidates all user reviews and Search notes into searchable profiles.
• Profiles are public by default but can be made private by some users.
• Google Maps reviews are not included in these new profile pages.
• Update aims to make reviews more accessible and useful for other users.

Google has introduced a new feature that creates public profile pages for users’ reviews.

This change affects reviews for various media types, including films, television programmes, books, music albums and games.

The update, which went live on 24 June, consolidates all of a user’s reviews and Search notes into a single, searchable profile.

Users should have received a notification about this change.

By default, these profiles are set to public visibility.

This means that when a user’s name appears in a public review or Search note, others can click on it to view all their reviews in one place.

The concept of user reviews on Google isn’t new.

It began in India in 2017 with film reviews and has since expanded globally to include various types of media.

For those who prefer privacy, there is an option to make the profile private.

However, this control is currently available to only some users.

How To Adjust Google Privacy Settings

To adjust privacy settings, users can visit profile.google.com, click the three-dot menu next to their profile name, select ‘Profile options’, and toggle on the ‘Profile privacy’ setting.

It’s important to note that even with a private profile, individual reviews will still be visible under specific titles.

However, they won’t be linked to a page showing all of the user’s reviews.

At present, Google Maps reviews are not included in these new profile pages.

This update aims to make reviews more accessible and useful for other users.

However, it also raises questions about user categorisation and identification based on personal preferences and opinions.

The change represents a shift in how Google handles user-generated content, centralising it in a more organised and publicly accessible manner.

FAQs

What is the new feature introduced by Google?

Google has launched public profile pages that consolidate all user reviews and Search notes into a single, searchable profile, affecting reviews for various media types including films, TV programmes, books, music albums, and games.

How can I adjust the privacy settings for my Google review profile?

To make your profile private, visit profile.google.com, click the three-dot menu next to your profile name, select ‘Profile options’, and toggle on the ‘Profile privacy’ setting.

Are all user reviews included in the public profiles?

While reviews for various media types are included, Google Maps reviews are currently not part of these new public profile pages.

Will my individual reviews still be visible if I set my profile to private?

Yes, individual reviews will still be visible under specific titles, but they won’t be linked to a page showing all of your reviews if your profile is set to private.

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