Shake Off Google: A 5-Week Privacy Plan (Free Checklist)

Punching Up Press
Jun 21
5 min read

Updated: Jun 21

You’ve realized Big Tech is sniffing around your digital life. Now what?

If you're tired of being tracked, targeted, and treated like a product, it might be time to slip Google’s leash. The free Google-Free in 5 Weeks checklist is your route to freedom.

Below, I break down the plan, highlight the tools, and share why this guide is worth your time.

(Look below for images of the checklist. See the end of the post for an accessible, text-only version of the PDF.)

Why Go Google-Free? And Why Now?

Google may look friendly, but it’s no loyal companion. Beneath the “free” tools and helpful features is a powerful tracking empire—logging your emails, searches, files, photos, location, and more.

But here’s the good news: You don’t have to bite off more than you can chew. With a smart plan, a steady pace, and the right tools, you can take back control of your digital territory.

How the 5-Week Checklist Works

This Google purge doesn't require a tech degree. It’s a doable plan for regular people. Each week, the checklist helps you tackle one or more parts of the Google ecosystem—like email, browsers, maps, or cloud storage—without overwhelm.

WEEK 1: Gmail and Google Calendar

We'll start with your inbox, one of Google’s most powerful tracking tools. You’ll:

Set up new email addresses with Proton, Tuta, or Mailfence.
Forward your Gmail and notify key contacts.
Add an auto-reply in Gmail.
Create masked emails for low-trust accounts.
Move emails and calendar data to your privacy-first alternative.

QUICK TIP: Separate your trusted and untrusted accounts. Which accounts/businesses do you trust with your real data? Which ones are not as trustworthy and/or not as important? For example, you may want to give your bank your real email address, and your supermarket loyalty account a masked one.

WEEK 2: Chrome Browser and Google Search

Chrome is a data hound. You'll replace it with Firefox, Librewolf, or Orion, and fetch yourself some privacy extensions like uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger. Then you'll change your search engine to DuckDuckGo, Kagi, or Simple Search to enjoy better browsing.

WEEK 3: Google Photos, Files, and Maps

This week's tasks are to:

Move your photos to Proton Drive or Ente.
Download Google Docs and convert them to "real" files, then transfer them to a friendlier cloud drive.
Try privacy-respecting maps like Organic Maps or OsmAnd.

You'll throw a paper map in your glovebox, too, because even the best privacy-forward GPS can lose the scent.

WEEK 4: YouTube and Google News

YouTube tracks your every move. Week 4 helps you:

Clear your YouTube history and uninstall the app.
Switch to Nebula or PeerTube for video.
Read the news via Ground.News, not Google News.

QUICK TIP: Want to keep watching YouTube? Invidious will help you stay off the Google grid.

WEEK 5: Clean-Up and Cloud Storage

It’s time to clean up the final bits. You'll:

Delete unused accounts.
Turn off ad tracking and location snooping.
Switch to cloud options like Proton Drive or NextCloud.
Back up your data and plan for your next device (spoiler: not a Chromebook).

Even if you still use some Google tools, reducing your exposure means more peace of mind.

Tools That Treat You Right

Every alternative in the checklist was chosen for privacy, ease of use, and community trust. These aren’t shady apps trying to sneak treats—they’re built to respect your choices and leave your data alone.

Here’s just a sampling:

Proton Mail: Encrypted email and calendar
NextCloud: Open-source cloud storage
Kagi & DuckDuckGo: Private search engines
Organic Maps: GPS that minds its own business
Invidious: Watch YouTube without being tracked

Download the Checklist and Start Today

Here's that PDF download link again. You can print the checklist and check off the tiny pawprints as you go, and use the links in the PDF version to make your transition out of Google easier. Please share the checklist, too!

For even more privacy tools plus instructions on how to quit Amazon, Apple, and other surveillance capitalist companies, check out the FREE book DISENGAGE: Escape the Leash of Big Tech, Scams & Surveillance—Everyday Resistance for the Digital Underdog.

(Here's what it looks like! Scroll past these for the accessible version of this checklist.)

Page 1 of the Google-Free in 5 Weeks Checklist

Page 2 of the Google-Free in 5 Weeks Checklist

Page 3 of the Google-Free in 5 Weeks Checklist

Page 4 of the Google-Free in 5 Weeks Checklist

Page 5 of the Google-Free in 5 Weeks Checklist

Here's an accessible, text-only version of the Google-Free in 5 Weeks checklist for web readers. It starts with a week-by-week plan, and ends with links to the products and tools.

Google-Free in 5 Weeks: A Week-by-Week Guide for Digital Underdogs

WEEK 1: Migrate Your Email

Set up a Proton Mail, Tuta, or Mailfence account
Forward Gmail to your new account
Migrate old Gmail emails to your new account
Create two new email addresses (personal + trusted services)
Set up a Gmail auto-responder with your new contact info
Email contacts with your new address
Change email address on key accounts
Switch downloadable files and other public info that includes your email address to a masked address