Google gives users more control over location

(Google)

Location-aware search provides many great features for consumers looking for nearby places to eat, shop and explore, but up until now it has been difficult to access location-based searches for locations other than those you are currently in.

Google is taking steps to give users more control over their location details by making it more visible and easier to change.

"Today we're moving your location setting to the left-hand panel of the results page to make it easier for you to see and control your preferences. With this new display you're still getting the same locally relevant results as before, but now it's much easier for you to see your location setting and make changes to it," announced the internet giant in an October 18 post on the Official Google Blog.

Users' locations are automatically detected, said Google, but sometimes the results are not as accurate as they should be and users may want to adjust their settings for more accuracy.

In other instances, for example when you are planning a trip overseas or heading out for a night on the town in an adjacent city, you may want to change your location to a future destination.

This makes searching for landmarks, activities, businesses and restaurants in the area you are headed to a much more seamless experience.

"As time has gone by, more and more locally relevant information has come online, whether it's local business listings or a blog from your hometown. Meanwhile, Google has become much better at presenting this locally relevant content - so it felt like the right time to make this setting easier to find," explained Google.

The new interface will not change existing privacy policies on location-based information, said the company.

The changes have already started rolling out to users around the globe. The changes will eventually be available to users in more than 40 languages.

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/more-transparency-and-control-over.html