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How did Microsoft know what I searched for with Google when nothing was connected to Microsoft?

Anonymous
2024-04-22T01:11:14+00:00

At my grandson's house, I ordered a specific keyboard stand for him. I used my cell phone which only uses Google. I never added Bing to my cell phone.

After I got home a few hours later, I was using Edge on my laptop to search for something else when an ad for the exact keyboard I purchased was shown in Microsoft Start.

Since I didn't use Microsoft in any way on my cell phone, how did Microsoft know exactly which keyboard I had searched for and purchased after using Google search? What is the relationship? I didn't know that they were sharing information. I was under the impression that they are competitors. Or is there some other way that they obtained this information?

I will post this question of Reddit and Quora in Microsoft forums too. Someone should be able to help me to figure out how this is possible.

Microsoft Edge | Website issues | Windows 10

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-10-19T05:46:57+00:00

    This might be the reason why - recently I discovered I had allowed Microsoft access to my Google account (I don't know how), but my inbox was open one day and at the bottom of the screen a pop-up message said something like - 2 IP addresses are logged into your google account. I clicked on 'details' and it showed that Microsoft in South Korea was logged in.

    I looked into it further and found that Microsoft basically has full access to my google acc as a third party. I deleted all connections, but then it said any data already collected would have to be separately deleted from Microsoft. This I haven't worked out how to do.

    I couldn't upload my screenshots showing this information, but here is a summary of what Microsoft had access to in my google account before I deleted all connections in the security section of my google account:

    Microsoft apps & services has some access to your Google Account

    To use some Microsoft apps & services features, you gave Microsoft apps & services some access to your Google Account.

    This access might include sensitive info.

    -See your profile info

    -Read, compose, send and permanently delete all your email from Gmail

    -See, edit, share and permanently delete all the calendars that you can access using Google Calendar

    -See, edit, create and delete all of your Google Drive files

    -See, edit, download and permanently delete your contacts

    • See and download your exact date of birth
    • See and download all of your Google Account email addresses

    8 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2024-04-22T08:53:15+00:00

    Hello, DiNyh13601.

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    I have some ideas.

    This might be normal; the advertisement is likely from Google.

    Although Microsoft and Google are two different companies, they may have some partnerships, such as in advertising or others.

    Here is the Microsoft advertising documentation I found.

    Microsoft account | Privacy

    For the situation you've encountered, I think it's quite normal.

    For example: If I search for headphones in an online store, then another different online store will also recommend headphones to me.

    Do you have any other questions?

    If there are any updates, please feel free to reply.

    Best regards.

    Malygos - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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