Happy Birthday “Not Provided” – One Year Since Google Began Withholding Search Terms

A year ago (and a day), Google began encrypting searches for signed-in users, so that the terms they searched for were no longer passed to publishers, except for advertisers. The “single digit” withholding predicted by Google at launch has turned into more than 50% of terms being withheld, in some cases.

I explore how things have unfolded over the past year in the search marketing column on our MarTech sister-site today. It’s written for both those new to the concept of how terms began being withheld as well for search marketing vets who are regular Search Engine Land readers. Be sure to check it out:

• Dark Google: One Year Since Search Terms Went “Not Provided”

Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land. Staff authors are listed here.

About The Author

Danny Sullivan

Danny Sullivan was a journalist and analyst who covered the digital and search marketing space from 1996 through 2017. He was also a cofounder of Third Door Media, which publishes Search Engine Land and MarTech, and produces the SMX: Search Marketing Expo and MarTech events. He retired from journalism and Third Door Media in June 2017. You can learn more about him on his personal site & blog He can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.