Uncovering an Odd Google Result: Searching with Name & "Harley Davidson

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Searching for forum threads using a combination of a user's name and specific keywords often yields better results than using the thread title alone. In a recent experience, a user attempted to locate a previous thread by googling their name alongside "Harley Davidson." The search returned the correct thread, but the URL included a highlight for "Harley Davidson," raising questions about how Google processes search queries. This led to speculation about whether Google retains search history or if the highlighting was influenced by previous searches made on the same device, despite regular clearing of cookies and files. The situation illustrates the complexities of search algorithms and user data retention.
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Sometimes I find it easiest to search for a thread by Googling my name + something that I remember posting. For some reason this seems to work better than using the thread title sometimes.

Quite some time ago...at least months, and I am quite certain that this was on my old computer, I googled my name and "Harley Davidson" to find the "What was it?" thread in the General Discussion forum. Just now I wanted the thread again, but I googled "What was it" and my name. The hit that resulted was correct, but when I looked at the address, it had the thread address + highlight "Harley Davidson"!

What the hell...? Google knew who I was and linked to the previous search? Is this possible? Or must it be that I have made this search [using Harley] on this computer? But even if so, I clear cookies and files regularly.
 
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Was it strictly the name "Ivan Seeking" that made the link? But if so, why was only Harley Davidson highlighted?
 
it doesn't know its you, i get the "showthread.php?t=18777&highlight=Harley+Davidson"
too.

and i haven't ever searched Harley Davidson.
 

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