Using “Sign Up with Google” might seem like the easiest way to breeze through creating new accounts online. With a single click, you’re done—no need to think of a new password, no lengthy forms to fill out. But after a few years of relying on it, I’ve decided to stop. There’s more to it than convenience, and as I thought more about the implications, I realized that maybe it’s not such a great idea after all.
1 I No Longer Want to Give Sites Access to My Google Account Information
When you sign up using Google, you’re not just creating a login. In most cases, you also grant that website access to a certain amount of your personal information. This can range from something simple like your name and email address to more sensitive data like contacts or your Google profile details. It felt like giving away too much of myself without fully knowing who was on the other end.
Even for trustworthy sites, it’s hard to predict how they’ll handle that information down the line. Data breaches, policy changes, or even just shady practices could expose more of my data than I bargained for. The fewer places that have access to my Google account, the better.
2 One Compromise Could Put All My Accounts at Risk
This was a big one for me. If my Google account gets compromised, suddenly, all the websites I signed in to using “Sign Up With Google” are at risk, too. It’s like a domino effect. Sure, I’ve got two-factor authentication and all the security measures, but nothing’s foolproof. And that one breach could give someone access to a frightening number of accounts.
Also, what if I lose access to my Google account? Maybe my phone breaks and I can’t access my email, or I accidentally get locked out for some reason. In that case, I wouldn’t just lose access to my Google services but potentially to dozens of other websites where I used Google to log in. That feels like too much risk, all tied to one single point of failure.
3 I Prefer Managing My Accounts Separately
While it might sound like a hassle, I prefer managing my accounts independently. Yes, it means a few more passwords to keep track of, but that’s what password managers are for. Creating separate logins for different sites gives me the flexibility to reset passwords individually, manage security settings site by site, and keep everything compartmentalized.
Plus, it helps me remember what I’ve signed up for. With “Sign Up with Google,” it’s easy to lose track of where I’ve linked my account, which could lead to a mess if I ever want to disconnect from certain services.
4 I Don’t Want to Give Google More Data to Track Me With
Google already knows a lot about me—from my search history to the locations I visit. By using “Sign Up with Google,” I feel like I’m handing them even more data to add to their profile of me. Every time I connect my Google account to a new service, Google learns a little bit more about my habits, interests, and the places I interact with online.
It’s unsettling to think how much they can piece together. Whenever I ditch the Sign up with Google option and use my email address instead, I feel like I’m keeping a small part of my online activity more private from the giant that already knows so much.
Switching away from “Sign Up With Google” wasn’t an overnight decision, but the more I considered the security risks, privacy concerns, and data control issues, the more it made sense. Signing up for accounts the old-fashioned way might take a little extra time, but the peace of mind is worth it. Plus, it feels good to know that I’m taking a bit more control over my online presence—one login at a time.
