Understand & manage your location when you search on Google

When you use Google, like with Maps, Search or Google Assistant, your current location is used to give you more helpful results. For example, if you search for coffee shops, you’re likely searching for coffee shops near you. Your location helps to show you nearby results, even if you didn't include a location in your search.

Your location comes from a variety of sources, which are used together to estimate where you are. You can update your location settings as you use Google services to get the search results you want and control your privacy in a way that's right for you.

If you want to learn more about how location works before changing your settings, below you’ll find info on how Google determines location when you search.

Update your location to get better local results

If you’re searching for something nearby and not finding local search results, try these fixes:

  • Add your current location to your search, like coffee shops in Chelsea.
  • Check that your device sends location to Google when you search. Follow the steps below to manage your device location settings.

You can help Google give you better results from your home or work when you set:

Manage your device location settings

Phones and tablets can send location information to apps and websites if your device location setting is turned on, and your app and browser permissions allow it. You can control whether location is sent from your device to any app or website, including google.com, by changing your location permissions.

Important: Before you manage your app or browser permissions, check that your device location is turned on for your phone or tablet. Learn how to manage your Android device’s location settings.

Manage location permissions

How Google determines your location when you search

When you use Google, like with Maps, Search or Google Assistant, your current location is estimated from several sources, depending on their availability.

Important: Most of these sources of location can be controlled using either your device's permissions, your account preferences, or other settings. Learn more below about how your choices affect your privacy and location.

Sources for determining location when you search

When you use Google, you can find out how your location was estimated at the bottom of the results page.

Location controls & your privacy

When you search on Google, Google will always estimate the general area that you’re searching from. Estimating the general area that you’re in means that Google can give you relevant results, and keep your account safe by detecting unusual activity, such as signing in from a new city.

A general area is larger than 1 sq mi, and has at least 1000 users so that the general area of your search does not identify you, helping to protect your privacy. This means that a general area is typically much larger than 1 sq mi outside of cities. The estimated general area comes from the location sources described in this article.

If you grant location permissions to google.com or Google apps on your device, then when you search, your precise location will be used by Google to show you the best search results. Precise location means exactly where you are, such as a particular address.

If you set your home or work addresses, and Google estimates that you’re at home or work, then the exact address will be used for your search.

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