You cannot delete yourself from the internet entirely, but you can remove most of the information about you that appears in search results and data broker sites

The internet does not have a delete button that works everywhere at once. Your information lives in many places — search engine indexes, social media archives, data broker databases, old news articles, public records — and each one requires a separate action. Some you control directly (your own social media accounts). Others you do not (a news site that published your name, a data broker selling your phone number). You can reduce what is publicly findable about you, but complete removal takes time and repeated effort.

The realistic goal is to make yourself harder to find and to remove the information that matters most to you: your address, phone number, financial details, and the things you posted years ago that you no longer want associated with your name.

Key Takeaways

  • Start by searching your own name on Google and Bing to see what actually appears in results — much of what you think is public is not.
  • Delete or make private your social media accounts, or at minimum remove old posts and limit who can see your profile.
  • Contact data brokers directly to request removal; sites like Spokeo, Whitepages, and BeenVerified have removal forms on their websites.
  • Ask Google and Bing to remove specific URLs from their search results using their removal tools, though this does not delete the page itself.
  • For sensitive information like your address or phone number, contact the original source (your utility company, your bank, a public records office) to request they stop publishing it.

Search for yourself first to understand what is actually out there

Open Google and Bing in separate browser windows and search your full name in quotes — for example, "Jane Smith". Do this from a private or incognito window so your search history does not affect the results. Write down what you find: news articles, social media profiles, directory listings, old blog posts, anything with your name and personal details.

Most people are surprised by how little actually shows up. If you have a common name, you may see results for other people entirely. If you have an unusual name, you may see old posts you forgot about or directory listings you never knowingly created. This list is your starting point — these are the things you can actually do something about.

Also search your email address and phone number in quotes. Data brokers often index these, and you may find your information listed on sites you have never heard of.

Remove or restrict your social media accounts

Social media platforms are often the largest source of personal information about you that appears in search results. Your options depend on how much you want to keep: you can delete the account entirely, deactivate it temporarily, or keep it but make it private and remove old posts.

Complete deletion takes time. Facebook and Instagram require 30 days after you request deletion before they fully remove your account and all your posts. Twitter (now X) deletes when ready. TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube each have their own timelines. During the waiting period, your profile is hidden but not yet gone. After deletion completes, cached versions may still exist on archive sites like the Wayback Machine, but they will eventually disappear.

Deactivation hides your profile from search results and other users when ready, but keeps your account and data on the platform's servers. You can reactivate later. This is useful if you want to keep the option open.

Making your account private means only people you approve can see your posts, and search engines cannot index your profile. You can then delete old posts one by one or in batches. This takes longer but lets you keep the account if you want to stay in touch with specific people.

Request removal from data broker sites

Data brokers are companies that collect and sell personal information. They buy data from public records, purchase history, and other sources, then resell it to marketers, employers, and others. Common data brokers include Spokeo, Whitepages, BeenVerified, PeopleFinder, and Intelius. These sites often rank high in search results when someone searches your name.

Most data brokers have a removal or privacy request form on their website. Search the site for "remove my information" or "privacy request" — it is usually in the footer. You will need to verify your identity, often by uploading a photo of your ID or answering security questions. The process takes a few days to a few weeks. Some brokers remove information for free; others charge a fee (usually $10 to $30 for permanent removal).

You may need to repeat this process every few years, because data brokers re-collect information over time. Some states, including California and Virginia, have laws requiring data brokers to honor removal requests, but enforcement varies. If a broker ignores your request, you can file a complaint with your state's attorney general.

Use Google and Bing removal tools to hide specific pages from search results

Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools let you request removal of specific URLs from search results. This does not delete the page itself — it just tells the search engine not to show it when someone searches. The page still exists on the original website, and other search engines may still index it.

To use Google's tool, go to google.com/webmasters/tools/removals and sign in with a Google account. Enter the URL you want removed and select how long you want it hidden (temporary or permanent). Google will review your request and usually respond within a few days. Permanent removal lasts six months; after that, the URL may reappear in results if the page is still online.

Bing has a similar tool at bing.com/webmaster/tools. The process is the same: enter the URL and request removal. Bing typically processes requests within 24 to 48 hours.

This approach works best for old blog posts, outdated news articles, or pages you control. It does not work for pages you do not own — you cannot remove a news article about you from Google's index unless you own the news site.

Contact the original source to request removal or non-publication

If your information appears on a website you do not control — a news site, a public records database, a directory, your employer's website — you can contact the site owner directly and ask them to remove it or stop publishing it.

For news articles, contact the publication's editor or use their contact form. Explain why you want the article removed or updated. Most news organizations will not delete published articles, but they may update them to remove sensitive details like your address or phone number. Some publications have a policy of removing articles after a certain time period if you request it.

For public records (property records, court documents, voter registration), contact the government agency that published them. Many states allow you to request that your address be suppressed from public view, especially if you have safety concerns. Some states require you to file a formal request; others let you call. The process and rules vary significantly by state and by record type.

For directory sites that you did not sign up for (like your employer's staff directory or a neighborhood directory), contact the organization that runs it. Ask them to remove your listing or at minimum to remove your phone number and address.

Limit what new information gets published about you going forward

Removing old information is one part of the work. Preventing new information from being published is the other.

When you sign up for services online, read the privacy settings carefully. Many sites default to making your profile public or searchable. Change these settings before you create content. On most platforms, you can find privacy settings in account or profile settings — look for options like "make my profile private," "do not show my profile in search results," or "limit who can see my posts."

When you interact with businesses, ask them not to publish your information. If you are quoted in a news article, ask the reporter to use only your first name or a pseudonym. If you are listed in a directory, ask to be removed or to have your contact details hidden. Many organizations will honor these requests if you ask.

Be cautious about what you post yourself. Anything you put online can be screenshot, archived, or shared. The Wayback Machine (archive.org) automatically saves copies of public web pages, so even if you delete a post, an archived version may still exist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Google to remove my name from news articles about me?

No. Google can remove a URL from search results, but only the website owner can delete the article itself. However, you can ask Google to remove your address or phone number from the snippet that appears in search results, even if the full article stays online. Use Google's removal tool and explain why the information is sensitive.

What if a data broker ignores my removal request?

Document your request (save screenshots or emails) and file a complaint with your state's attorney general. Some states have laws requiring data brokers to honor removal requests within a specific timeframe. If you live in California, Virginia, or Colorado, your state's privacy law may give you additional options.

Will removing myself from Google also remove me from Bing and other search engines?

No. Each search engine has its own index and removal process. You need to submit removal requests to each one separately. Bing, DuckDuckGo, and other smaller search engines all have their own tools. Removing from Google does not affect them.

How long does it take for information to disappear after I request removal?

It depends on the source. Search engines usually process removal requests within a few days to a week. Data brokers typically take one to four weeks. Social media account deletion takes 30 days on most platforms. Information that is archived on the Wayback Machine may take months or years to disappear, and some archived pages never do.

Do I need to pay for removal services that promise to delete me from the internet?

No. Everything described in this guide is free. Services that charge money to remove your information are doing the same work you can do yourself — contacting data brokers, submitting removal requests to search engines, and deleting social media accounts. You can do all of this without paying anyone.