How does google know

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turnin

509 posts

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#195557 24-Apr-2016 11:48

4 days ago I was googling real estate in twizel. I also looked up weather for twizel. Nothing else. I was on my home internet connection.

Last night I had a few beers at a friends house, I got around to talking about twizels housing prices, my friend on his own PC , own account, typed twi , then paused, I couldn't believe my eyes, the first suggestion was twizel weather. The second was twizel real estate.
I would have expected this on my own account, my phone was connected to his WiFi network but surely that wouldn't share search history.

This morning, I had a mobile phone conversation with a friend, we suggested going to a place called kerosine creek, after u hung up I went to google, typed ker and guess what the first suggestion is ....kerosine creek.

So I'm guessing here but does google listen via the mic and build context ?

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#1541083 24-Apr-2016 11:53

What phone do you have or more importantly what OS?

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

teamyoyo

58 posts

Master Geek

#1541111 24-Apr-2016 12:58

Google is location aware. There's not that many twi names in NZ so twizel is an easy choice. As for weather being the first choice that's probably the most searched term for twizel. I just tried on my computer and got the same results. We're - uh, Google isn't watching every move you make. Well not that day but that thing you did a couple of days before - you should be ashamed.

Signed

Definitely not a google bot.

GregV

928 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1541184 24-Apr-2016 15:07

I type 'twi' and get a bunch of twitter urls. Add the 'z' and get:

twizel
twizel weather
twizel accommodation
twizel nz
twizel holiday park

When I type 'ker' I get:

kerosine creek
kerikeri
kereru
kereru gardens
kerikeri weather

Jase2985

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#1541195 24-Apr-2016 15:52

i have location services off and twizel weather is still the 4 item that comes up after twitter, twitch and twilight

DarthKermit

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#1541211 24-Apr-2016 16:35

Google has secretly micro chipped most of the world's population. That's how they know.

Batman

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#1541215 24-Apr-2016 16:52

turnin: 4 days ago I was googling real estate in twizel. I also looked up weather for twizel. Nothing else. I was on my home internet connection.

Last night I had a few beers at a friends house, I got around to talking about twizels housing prices, my friend on his own PC , own account, typed twi , then paused, I couldn't believe my eyes, the first suggestion was twizel weather. The second was twizel real estate.

I would have expected this on my own account, my phone was connected to his WiFi network but surely that wouldn't share search history.

This morning, I had a mobile phone conversation with a friend, we suggested going to a place called kerosine creek, after u hung up I went to google, typed ker and guess what the first suggestion is ....kerosine creek.

So I'm guessing here but does google listen via the mic and build context ?

Now go on Google maps ... They know what address you are going to type in ... :)

turnin

509 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#1541232 24-Apr-2016 17:25

OK then, but who are the people on the neighbors roof

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DarthKermit

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#1541234 24-Apr-2016 17:30

The GCSB. They're monitoring you.

Sam91

620 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1541236 24-Apr-2016 17:32

Hmmm, considering we all looked at this thread before searching to replicate the OP's results. How can we be sure Google didn't deliver results based on the contents of this thread? ; )

blakamin

4431 posts

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#1541275 24-Apr-2016 17:46

Sam91:

Hmmm, considering we all looked at this thread before searching to replicate the OP's results. How can we be sure Google didn't deliver results based on the contents of this thread? ; )

Doesn't work in Australia ;p

timmmay

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#1541287 24-Apr-2016 18:06

It's either that everyone is out to get you plus the cameras installed in everyone's houses, or geolocation plus autocomplete.

freitasm

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#1541290 24-Apr-2016 18:11

That's why I tape my laptop's camera. And always have a TV playing in the background. And sit with my back to the wall at restaurants, facing the front door. And never walk directly into a building. Always go around the block, do a couple of 180 turns and make sure I don't see the the same person more than twice in different parts of the city.

Seriously...

Google uses your IP address for a general location, if your location services is off. It will use your previous search history. It will use autocomplete and based on everyone else's searches in the area/country it can guess what to complete there.

DarthKermit

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#1541291 24-Apr-2016 18:12

timmmay:

It's either that everyone is out to get you plus the cameras installed in everyone's houses, or geolocation plus autocomplete.

I know which one I believe.

oxnsox

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#1541307 24-Apr-2016 18:56

Of course there is a statistical probability that the weather in Twizel is linked to thermal activity at Kerosine Creek.

(And if it wasn't, then this post should allow google to make the connection )

blakamin

4431 posts

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#1541316 24-Apr-2016 19:08

freitasm:

That's why I tape my laptop's camera. And always have a TV playing in the background.

I can't do that anymore... My TV listens too :(

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