Imagine being arrested for an innocent online search. Sometimes, I wonder if that’s what will happen to me. I often find myself searching for some really oddball stuff. It makes me the target of advertising for products I will never buy. It also makes me want to constantly delete my browser search history in case I go missing and my friends and family look there for clues, only to begin questioning my life choices. Yes, this is the life of a writer and editor.
I found this question, “What was the last thing you searched for online?” as one of the daily writing prompts, and I was compelled to answer it. Here’s why.
- A coworker was searching for eye protection, such as safety glasses, when her keywords (eye protection? eye glasses? something to do with eyes?) landed her on a porn site and her computer was stuck there until the tech people reset her computer.
- I was editing a book about atrocities committed during a political regime when I became curious about the correct terminology to use and began to Google search different types of guns and bullets. Then I wondered what my search history implied when seen out of context.
- I have scanned through webpages for products to do research for clients. Then I realized how interconnected my world was when I started to see ads for these products on my social media. All my social media.
- I’ve noticed I do frequent searches for popular boy names and girl names. It probably looks like I’m thinking of naming a baby I’ll have one of these days. I guess you could say I have a lot of “children.” They are all names chosen for story characters and characters for client scenarios.
My conclusion: My search history is for many unrelated and unusual topics, such as how to fix issues for products I don’t own or how to dye blond hair I don’t have. Indeed, being an editor and writer has made me curious about a multitude of unusual things.
What’s the last thing you searched for online?
Vanya Wryter Consulting Services 
I may be seen as so odd if my search history was checked. How embarrassing for your friend. LOL
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Yes, this is why we delete search history when we can!
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Amen to that!
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I search random stuff too and I’m sure Google thinks I’m crazy but I usually search so many of these things for my writing. I would not want anyone to see my search history ever lol.
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I delete mine on a regular basis. Don’t want Google thinking that client searches = my personal searches.
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Lol yeah, I delete my history too but sometimes I forget for like a week haha.
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Scary isn’t it? I know for a fact that our computers “listen”. I’ve had ads for certain things pop up on my desktop, laptop and phone after just discussing them with my husband in our house. The last thing I searched online was… Well, if I tell you, then I’ll start getting weird ads, so I’ll just leave it at that. Have a great day!
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Yes, that has happened to me as well. So I experimented and started doing online searches in other languages. Interestingly, that did not trigger any ads.
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Sadly, I don’t speak any other languages, but what a great trick!
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Must be the tech is targeted at English!
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I often have to look up how to spell a word.
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Yes. That is also how I check spelling. 🙂
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👋💯
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Thanks.
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