They made this page available which allows you to easily view everything they collect on you.



http://myactivity.google.com



I've had everything enabled for convenience (like my Home and other visited locations when doing Maps searches so they come up faster). Same with Youtube and recommendations. Is this a bad thing and should I just disable everything possible? What have you done with your settings?



Web & App Activity

Location History

Device Information

Voice & Audio Activity

Youtube Search History

Youtube Watch History

 

Whether it's bad is up to your opinion. If you like personalized results, google is helping you. If not, don't let them track you and disable java, cookies, etc. It makes using the internet less convenient for not very much practical benefit IMO...but I don't like being monitored so I make the effort.