In a major update, OpenAI has disabled the feature that made shared ChatGPT conversations “discoverable” on search engines like Google. If you’ve ever shared a ChatGPT chat via link, there’s a chance it may still appear in search results – raising serious privacy concerns. So, what does this mean for you? And more importantly, how can you protect your ChatGPT history? How to keep your ChatGPT conversations private? Let’s walk you through everything you need to know.
Earlier this year, OpenAI quietly introduced a “discoverable by search engines” option when users shared ChatGPT conversations using the Share button. This toggle made shared chats indexable by search engines like Google. That meant anyone could stumble upon your shared conversations via search, especially if the content included personal or sensitive information.
- Over 4,500 shared ChatGPT chats were found indexed by Google (according to Fast Company).
- Some included personal details like names, job resumes, emotional discussions, and work-related content.
- Deleting your chat from history didn’t delete the shared public link.
In response to privacy concerns, OpenAI has disabled the discoverability toggle for new shared links. It is actively working with search engines like Google to remove previously indexed shared chats. OpenAI also warned that cached content may still be visible temporarily in search results.
How to Keep ChatGPT Conversations Private
Even though the toggle is gone, your older shared chats might still be out there. Here’s how to clean up and protect your privacy:
Step 1: Visit Your Shared Links Dashboard
- Go to your ChatGPT account and navigate to: https://chat.openai.com/share. Or visit Settings -> Data Controls -> Manage.
- Here, you can see a list of all conversations you’ve shared.
Step 2: Review & Delete Public Links
- For any link you no longer want public, click the three-dot menu (⋮) next to it.
- Select “Delete link” or “Make private.”
Note: This stops new people from accessing it – but if it was already indexed by Google, it may take time to disappear completely.
Step 3: Search for Your Shared Chats on Google
Try this:
- site:chat.openai.com/share YOUR NAME
- site:chat.openai.com/share resume OR email
This can help you spot if any of your content was indexed.
Step 4: Request Google Removal (If Needed)
If you find a sensitive chat link still appearing in search:
- Go to Google’s Remove Outdated Content Tool: https://search.google.com/search-console/remove-outdated-content
- Submit the URL for removal.
Step 5: Think Before You Share
Even with protections in place, it’s best to avoid entering private or sensitive information into AI tools unless you’re 100% sure how that data will be handled.
This situation is a reminder that AI platforms are not immune to privacy risks. While sharing conversations can be helpful, it can also unintentionally expose:
- Private messages
- Work documents
- Emotional discussions
- Personally identifiable info
Always treat AI-generated content as potentially public, especially if you use shareable links.
OpenAI says it’s re-evaluating how public sharing features work in ChatGPT moving forward. In the meantime, you can protect yourself by regularly checking your shared links, deleting anything sensitive, staying updated on privacy settings, and platform updates
AI is powerful, but with that power comes responsibility. Be mindful of what you type, share, and publish, especially in tools that continue to evolve like ChatGPT.