Access and privacy of your profile

Below you can find a list of frequently asked questions about accessing your profile and securing your privacy.

How do I access my Google profile?

You can access your profile through the My Account page as well as this direct link: http://www.google.com/profiles/me. Your profile is also visible when you create content in certain products such as Google+, Reader, and Maps.

Don't have a profile yet? Create your own profile now!

How do I make my profile show up in Google Web Search?

If you've been writing reviews on Google Maps, posting on Google+, or sharing Google Reader items, you may already have a profile. You can simply set your existing profile to show your full name, so that your profile can be found when people search for your name. You can also help your profile appear higher in Google Web Search by linking to it from another website, for example, your blog.

When you or others search for your name on Google, your Google profile may appear at the bottom of the search results alongside your profile picture.

How are my profile and Google Account related?

The name on your profile is associated with the name on your Google Account: changing one will also change the other. You can set up one public profile with your full name.

Keep in mind that deleting your public profile won't delete your Google Account.

How do I control what information people see on my profile?

You decide what information goes on your public profile. We don't share anything that you haven't explicitly added. For example, when you create your profile, we suggest links to some of the Google products you currently use, such as your blog on Blogger.com or your photos on Picasa Web Albums; however, you have to add these links for them to appear on your profile page.

How can I get messages through my profile?

You can allow anyone with a Google Account to send you a message through your profile, without ever revealing your email address. Learn more

Does changing my information in my profile affect my use of other Google products?

Changing your name in your profile changes it in your Google Account. This change will then be reflected in all products you sign in to with your account. For example, you'd see this change in Gmail, if you send emails with your default Google Account name. And, if you have linked your YouTube channel with your Google+ profile, and they use the same name, then changing the name here will change your YouTube channel name as well.

If you use Gmail, you can change your settings to send emails using a name that is different from your Google profile name. Learn more.