On October 11, Google made an announcement that it will be updating its Terms of Service (ToS) on November 11, 2013, and along with this update is the addition of a new setting that will give “you more control over where your Page’s name, photo and actions appear on Google and across the web.”

Image source: support.google.com

Basically, it’s pretty much the same ToS except for the new setting that involves a simple toggle switch (i.e. a check box) that tells Google if you wouldn’t mind having Google displaying a link to your Page and your photo on a particular ad of a certain product or business establishment’s page that you just happened to +1’d or rated. Or as stated in the ToS update:

“For example, your friends might see that you rated an album 4 stars on the band’s Google Play page. And the +1 you gave your favorite local bakery could be included in an ad that the bakery runs through Google.”

Google calls this Shared Endorsements (you can read more about it in Google’s ToS update). It’s pretty much exactly like what Facebook has been doing for the past few weeks (or months?). If you still haven’t noticed yet on your wall, you are actually now able to see what products your friends have recently ‘Liked’ and what movies they have recently rated, so what Google’s is about to implement on November 11th is nothing new. Only difference is that Google let you know firsthand before actually doing it.

The announcement about the new update was sent by Google via email but somehow it seems that not everyone have received it (or read it). But anyway, for the past few days, some have been asking how to prevent Google from activating the Shared Endorsement setting and displaying their information.

If you don’t want the aforementioned information displayed, all you have to do is uncheck the checkbox in the Shared Endorsement settings page. Hit ‘Save’ and you’re done! No more worries.

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