How you can make Messages work better for you
With optional features like automatic link previews and real-time spam reports, Messages makes chatting easier and safer. These features work with your message data while keeping your messages private. And they're optional — so you're in control.
What it means to turn on automatic previews
You'll see preview cards from Google related to certain content in your messages and when you search in the app. Cards appear for links, places, and other types of content that the Messages app is able to recognize over time.
How we protect your data
Automatic previews only use select info (like addresses and links) without linking it to identifiers like your name or phone number.
We use only the info needed for a preview
The Messages app uses on-device intelligence to automatically spot specific things, like links or street addresses, in your chat history. We use those links and addresses to create preview cards.
We use data without personally identifying you
Those specific things, like links and addresses, are the only parts of your message content that we use in this feature. They're sent to Google for a quick, secure lookup without saving them to your Google Account or Location History, and without linking them to identifiers like your name or phone number.
You’re in control
You can turn automatic previews on or off at any time in Settings:
- Open the Messages app
.
- Tap More
Settings.
- Tap Automatic previews.
- Turn on/off Show all previews.
.
Settings.Automatic previews include web link previews, but you can choose to only show web link previews. Learn even more.
How Messages helps detect and prevent spam
To keep you safer, Messages detects suspected spam and lets you block and report spammers. If you see a suspected spam warning in Messages, you can let Google know if it’s actually spam by tapping “Report spam” or “Report not spam.” Spam reports include a copy of the spammer's messages (up to 10) and go to Google so Messages can better detect future spam for you. Mobile carriers that support spam reporting can get a copy of the spammer’s last message.
How we protect your data
If you submit a spam report, we include the spammer’s messages to you but none of your responses (if any). The spammer won't see or know about your report.
You’re in control
It’s optional to send spam reports to Google. You can also just block a phone number without reporting spam. Learn even more about reporting spam or blocking a number.