Turn it off in your Google account, not your phone (unless that's what you meant).
I turned it off years ago and when I read an article that says "click on this link to see how google tracks you!" I see nothing.
Turning off location history in your account settings is also important, but turning off location services on your phone will prevent the messages from appearing (since Google will, in theory, not have your location readily available).
I'm sure they're still tracking you, they just don't show you it. ;)