Google indexes DeepSeek chats: How to delete shared conversations

Google indexes DeepSeek conversations that users share through public links

Google is indexing DeepSeek conversations that users share through public links, which means thousands of chats can be discovered with a simple search query.

An information security expert discovered that Google displays chat sharing pages from DeepSeek. Anyone can locate these pages by entering specified instructions in the search bar. Google initially limited visible results and prompted similar pages to be omitted. However, when you expand these results, you see a significant increase in the number of conversations indexed.

The survey identified approximately 2000 publicly accessible pages. These conversations were created in 2026, with April being the most concentrated month. About 31 percent of the analyzed chats were in Russian, about 20 percent in English, and the remainder in multiple other languages, indicating that this privacy issue affects users in multiple geographies.

Why DeepSeek's shared chats appear on Google

DeepSeek's "Share" feature allows users to select some conversations and generate a public link that can be sent to colleagues, friends or other contacts. The platform warns users that "anyone with a link" can view conversations. However, the warning did not make it clear that search engines might also discover and index the page.

This distinction is crucial. Users may understand that the recipient can open the link, but still think it will be difficult for others to find the conversation. Once a page appears in Google search, the audience is no longer limited to those who received the original link. Anyone who uses the right keywords or search instructions is likely to find it.

Some of the indexed conversations reportedly included snippets of business code, work arrangements, personal communications, and discussions involving financial matters. Although users chose to create public links, many people may not have expected their conversations to become searchable. As a result, Google's index could turn otherwise relatively hidden shared pages into more conspicuous digital records.

Public links may leave a lasting digital footprint

Removing a shared link does not necessarily mean it will immediately disappear from search results. Search engines regularly revisit indexed pages, which means an inaccessible or deleted link may remain visible until Google updates its records. Previously stored fragments or cached information may also continue to appear for a period of time. This poses additional risks to users who only realize the exposure after the conversation has been indexed.

How DeepSeek users delete shared conversations

Users can view and delete their own public DeepSeek links through platform settings. Available steps include opening the Settings section, going to the Data tab, selecting "Share Links", clicking "Manage", and then deleting any links that should no longer remain public. Users should also review previously shared conversations and prioritize removing links that contain sensitive professional, personal or financial information.

Similar indexing events have previously affected ChatGPT and other AI services that allow users to post conversations over shareable links. Search engine crawlers often treat accessible public URLs as ordinary web pages. Unless the platform applies appropriate access controls or uses instructions designed to prevent indexing, the page may end up in search results.

Relevant findings were announced on July 20, 2026 and were further verified on July 22. According to the report, DeepSeek has not publicly responded during the investigation. The incident highlights the broader privacy issues facing AI platforms. Users often provide chatbots with detailed information about professional projects, personal situations, internal company processes, and financial decisions. Many users may understand that shared links are technically public, but still expect access to only those who receive the link directly.

DeepSeek's case shows that this assumption can be risky. An open AI conversation does not remain hidden just because the link is difficult to guess. Platforms can reduce this risk by preventing shared chats from being indexed by default and requiring users to proactively enable search engine visibility. Until stronger protections become the standard, users should view every shared AI conversation as information that may eventually become publicly searchable.