xjkj8

How to change where Google thinks you are

A frequently asked question is: "I'm using a VPN. How come Google still knows where I am?"

Google publicly tells you how it knows. It has a whole page on the subject. The explanation begins: "When you use Google, like with Maps, Search or Google Assistant, your current location is used to give you more helpful results." It goes on to give precise information about how Google knows your location. Before we go any further, here's the Google support page:

https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/179386

What follows are some tips on how to wipe your old location in Google and establish your new location. But first, it will be useful if you investigate a couple of things.

1. Preliminary investigations

Before you begin, gather information about a couple of things.

  1. Turn on your VPN.
  2. Check for IPv6 leaks.
  3. Check for DNS leaks.

With this information in hand, go on to wipe your old location and establish your new location.

2. Wipe old location

Try the light-weight solution first. If that doesn't work, try the medium-weight solution. Only if you're really desperate should you try the heavy-weight solution, as it will obliterate your PC.

2.1. Light-weight solution

The light-weight solution involves very little effort on your part:

  1. Log out of all Google services, including YouTube, Maps, etc.
  2. Clear cookies in your browser.
  3. Uninstall Google Chrome.
  4. Disable WiFi and bluetooth on your PC.
  5. Disable IPv6 on your PC.
  6. Use only a wired (Ethernet) connection to the Internet.
  7. Use a non-local DNS server (e.g. 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1).

Now move on to step 3, establishing your new location.

2.2. Medium-weight solution

In this solution, you'll create a brand new virtual PC which Google has never seen before:

  1. Download VirtualBox or VMware Workstation Pro.
  2. Install VirtualBox or VMware Workstation Pro.
  3. Download Ubuntu ISO or Windows 10 ISO.
  4. Disable WiFi and bluetooth on your host PC.
  5. Disable IPv6 on your host PC.
  6. Use only a wired (Ethernet) connection on your host PC.
  7. Use a non-local DNS server (e.g. 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1)
  8. Turn on the VPN on the host PC.
  9. Now create a brand new virtual machine from your Ubuntu ISO or Windows 10 ISO.

Now move on to step 3, establishing your new location.

2.3. Heavy-weight solution

Bring out the big guns. Completely wipe your PC and start again. Create a generic PC that Google and YouTube have never seen before:

  1. Download Ubuntu ISO or Windows 10 ISO.
  2. Create a bootable USB stick from your Ubuntu ISO or Windows 10 ISO.
  3. Backup your programs and data, because you're about to erase them.
  4. Reinstall the operating system. Warning! This will overwrite everything!
  5. Enable wired networking only.
  6. Disable WiFi.
  7. Disable IPv6 (to prevent leaks).
  8. Install your VPN.
  9. Connect your VPN.
  10. Now you can restore all your other programs and data from the backup you took before you wiped your PC.

Now move on to step 3, establish your new location.

3. Establish new location

  1. Do these steps with your VPN on.
  2. Determine your VPN server location (we'll use Buffalo, NY as our example).
  3. Download and install Chrome.
  4. Create a brand new identity in Chrome with new personal details.
  5. Signed in to Chrome, do a Google search for Buffalo, NY.
  6. Do a Google Maps search for Buffalo, NY.
  7. Add Buffalo, NY to your Maps saved places.
  8. Add Buffalo, NY to your Maps favorite places.
  9. Do a YouTube search for Buffalo, NY.
  10. Watch the start of a few videos about Buffalo, NY.
  11. Do a Google search for weather.
  12. Hopefully it will now show you the weather for Buffalo, NY, without being told which place you want!