Google History

[leila]

This data source allows researchers to collect participants’ Google Chrome browsing history, providing insights into web usage patterns that can be manually exported by the participant from Google Takeout and then uploaded to Avicenna via a survey’s File question.

[!note]Important Note
This data source is distinct from the Web Activity data source. While Web Activity provides automated, real-time browsing data from Firefox Nightly (Android only), Google History is a manual, retrospective collection of Chrome browsing history.

Use Cases

• Behavioral research: Understanding long-term browsing habits and exposure to online content for Google Chrome users.
• Digital footprint analysis: Correlating manually uploaded web activity with survey responses or other passively collected data.
• Media consumption studies: Analyzing engagement with various online platforms and news sources.

Data Structure

The data exported from Google Takeout is provided in a file typically named History.json inside a ZIP archive.

While the file organizes data into “Sessions” and “Tabs” (which may look complex if you open the file in a text editor), it contains specific details for every webpage visited. The most important fields available for analysis include:

• URL: The specific web address visited (labeled as virtual_url in the file).
• Title: The title of the webpage.
• Time of Visit: A timestamp indicating exactly when the visit occurred (labeled as timestamp_msec).
• Transition Type: How the user arrived at the page (e.g., LINK for clicking a link, TYPED for typing the address, or RELOAD).

Data Collection Behavior (Manual Process)

Unlike other data sources that Avicenna collects automatically in the background, Google Chrome browsing history is obtained through a manual process initiated by the participant using Google Takeout. This is crucial to understand as it sets clear expectations regarding data automation and privacy:

• Not an Avicenna App Feature: The Avicenna app does not directly collect Google Chrome browsing history in real-time.
• No Incognito Data: Google Takeout does not include browsing history from incognito or private browsing sessions.
• Participant Action Required: Participants must actively request and download their data from Google Takeout.
• Manual Upload to Avicenna: Participants (or researchers, if they handle data transfer) then need to upload the exported file (the BrowserHistory.json file, or the entire .zip archive containing it) using a designated File question in an Avicenna survey.
• Not Real-Time: This method does not provide real-time browsing activity. Data reflects the history up to the point of export from Google Takeout.

Setting Up Google History Collection in Avicenna

To collect Google Chrome browsing history from participants, you will integrate this manual process into your study workflow, typically by using a File question in a survey.

Step 1: Create a Survey with a File Question for Upload

1. Create a new survey in your study (e.g., “Google History Upload”).

2. Add a File question to this survey.

3. Configure the Answer File Format for the File question to allow .json and/or .zip files.

   

4. Add clear instructions in the question content for participants on what file to upload.

5. Publish the survey.

Step 2: Provide Instructions to Participants for Google Takeout Export

You will need to provide your participants with detailed instructions on how to export their Chrome history from Google Takeout. These instructions should be communicated clearly to participants (e.g., in a Page activity within Avicenna, or via email).

Here are the step-by-step instructions for participants:

1. Request your data from Google Takeout

1. Navigate to the Google Takeout page at takeout.google.com.

2. Sign in with your Google account if you are not already logged in.

3. On the “Create a new export” page, click Deselect all to uncheck every Google product.

   

4. Scroll down the list of products and check the box next to Chrome.

   

5. Click on “All Chrome data included” to open the customization options. Ensure only History data is selected. Then click OK.

   

2. Customize your export and create the archive

1. Choose delivery method: Select how you want to receive your data. The most common method is Send download link via email, which sends a link to your email address.

2. Choose frequency: Select Export once for a one-time download of your history.

3. Choose file type and size: For the Archive format, select .zip from the dropdown menu. This will be the format of the compressed file Google will provide, and it will contain your BrowserHistory.json file. Set the maximum archive size; if your data is larger, it will be split into multiple files.

   

4. Click Create export. Google will begin creating a copy of your Chrome history. This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days, depending on how much history you have.

   

3. Download your history

1. You will receive an email from Google when your archive is ready. Open this email and then click the Download your files button. You may need to enter your Google account password to proceed.

   

2. Download the zipped archive to your computer or device.

3. Extract the files from the zipped archive. Inside, you will find the BrowserHistory.json file, which contains your Chrome browsing history.

Step 3: Instruct Participants to Upload Data to Avicenna

Once participants have downloaded and extracted their BrowserHistory.json file (or have the .zip archive containing it) from Google Takeout, instruct them to:

1. Open the Avicenna app (or web app) and navigate to the survey containing the File question you created for this purpose.

2. Tap/click the ADD FILE button in the File question.

   

3. Select the BrowserHistory.json file (or the .zip archive if you configured the File question to accept .zip).

4. Submit their survey response.

Monitoring and Exporting Google History Data

Once participants upload their history files through the survey, the files will be accessible:

• On the Activity Responses page for the survey, where you can view responses and download the uploaded files.
• As part of a full survey response export as a ZIP file.

Troubleshooting

• “File type not supported” error: Verify the File question is configured to accept .json and/or .zip file formats.
• “File too large” error: If the exported file exceeds the 200 MB limit, advise participants to select a smaller Maximum archive size during the Google Takeout export process (Step 2.3).
• Missing or incomplete data: Confirm participants understand Google Takeout does not include incognito browsing history. Also, ensure they correctly selected ‘Chrome’ and specifically ‘History’ data during the export process as instructed in Step 2.