What you can actually remove from the internet

You cannot delete everything about yourself from the internet, but you can remove your personal details from the places where they're easiest to find and buy. Search engines like Google will delist pages that contain your address, phone number, or financial information if you ask them to. Data broker websites — companies that collect and sell your personal details — must remove your information if you request it, though the process takes weeks and you may need to repeat it annually.

The fastest wins come from removing yourself from data broker sites and asking Google to delist specific pages with your contact information. These steps take a few hours of work spread over several weeks, not months. Removing your information from social media, old accounts, and websites you created yourself requires different steps and takes longer, but gives you more control over what stays visible.

Key Takeaways

  • Google and Bing will remove pages containing your address, phone number, or financial details from search results if you submit a removal request through their webmaster tools.
  • Data broker sites like Spokeo, BeenVerified, and Whitepages must honor removal requests, but you typically need to submit them individually to each site.
  • Removing yourself from social media, old email accounts, and websites you created requires logging in and deleting content directly, which is permanent but takes the most time.
  • Your information reappears on data broker sites over time as they re-collect it, so you may need to request removal again every 6 to 12 months.

Removing your information from Google search results

Go to Google Search Console (google.com/webmasters) and sign in with the Google account you use for search. Click the property that matches the website where your information appears — or add a new property if the site isn't listed yet. You'll need to verify you own or manage the site, which usually means adding a small piece of code to the website's files or confirming ownership through your domain registrar.

Once verified, go to the Removals section and select "New Request." Choose "Remove this URL from Google Search" and paste the exact web address of the page containing your personal details. Google will remove it from search results within a few days, though the page itself stays on the website. If you don't own the website, you can still request removal through Google's removal tool at google.com/webmasters/tools/removals, but Google will ask the website owner to confirm the request.

For Bing, visit Bing Webmaster Tools (bing.com/webmasters) and follow the same verification process. The removal request works the same way — you submit the URL and Bing removes it from search results within days. Do both Google and Bing, since they don't share removal requests.

Removing yourself from data broker websites

Data brokers collect your name, address, phone number, and sometimes financial or property information, then sell it to marketers, landlords, and employers. The major sites are Spokeo, BeenVerified, Whitepages, Intelius, and PeopleFinder. Each site has its own removal process, and you must contact each one separately — there is no single form that removes you from all of them.

Start by searching your name on each site to see if your information appears. If it does, look for a "Remove my information" or "Privacy" link, usually at the bottom of the page. Most sites require you to enter your email address and confirm the removal request through a link they send you. Some ask you to upload a photo ID to verify you're the person requesting removal. Save the confirmation emails — you may need them later if your information reappears.

Keep a spreadsheet with the site name, the date you submitted the removal request, and the confirmation number or email. This makes it easier to track which sites you've contacted and when. Plan to repeat this process every 6 to 12 months, since data brokers re-collect information from public records and other sources.

Deleting old social media accounts and email addresses

Search for your name on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and any other platforms you've used. If you find old accounts you no longer use, log in and delete them. Each platform has different steps: Facebook and Instagram let you read your data first, then deactivate or permanently delete the account. Twitter requires you to log in and delete the account from settings. LinkedIn has a similar process under account settings.

Deleting an account is permanent and removes your posts, photos, and profile from the platform. However, people may have already saved or shared your content elsewhere, and search engines may have cached copies. Deactivating an account (available on Facebook and Instagram) hides it temporarily but keeps your data on the platform's servers — use this if you might want to return later.

For old email addresses you no longer use, log in and delete the account through the provider's settings. Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo all have account deletion options. Before you delete, read any emails or files you want to keep, since deletion is permanent. If you can't remember the password, use the account recovery process — you'll need access to a backup email or phone number you set up when you created the account.

Removing information from websites you created

If you have a personal website, blog, or online portfolio, log in to the site and delete the pages containing your personal information. If the site uses WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or another platform, go to the page editor, select the page, and delete it. The page disappears from your site when ready, but search engines may still show it in results for a few weeks until they re-crawl your site.

Speed up removal from search results by submitting a removal request to Google and Bing (as described above) with the exact URL of the deleted page. You can also update your site's robots.txt file to tell search engines not to index certain pages, though this is more technical and works better for preventing future indexing than removing existing results.

If you have old forum posts, comments, or listings on sites you don't own, contact the site's support team and ask them to delete the content. Most sites will remove posts if you can verify you created them. This takes longer than deleting your own site — expect a response within one to two weeks.

Protecting yourself from future data collection

After you remove your information, take steps to prevent it from being collected again. Opt out of data broker sites before they collect your information by visiting their opt-out pages. Many brokers have a form where you can request not to be listed in the future, though this is separate from removing information you've already submitted.

Limit what you post on social media — the less information you share publicly, the less data brokers have to collect. Use privacy settings on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to restrict who can see your profile and posts. Consider using a P.O. box or mailbox service instead of your home address when signing up for online services, and use a separate phone number or email for less-trusted websites.

Be cautious about what information you enter into online forms. Many sites ask for your phone number or address but don't actually need it to provide their service — you can often leave these fields blank or use a fake number. The fewer places your real information appears, the less data brokers have to collect and resell.

What to do if removal doesn't work

If your information reappears on a data broker site after you've requested removal, submit another removal request. Keep records of each request with dates and confirmation numbers. If a site repeatedly ignores removal requests, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC investigates data brokers that violate privacy laws, though this process takes months.

Some states have laws requiring data brokers to honor removal requests. California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah all have consumer privacy laws with removal requirements. If you live in one of these states and a data broker ignores your request, you may be able to file a complaint with your state's attorney general's office.

For information that appears on news websites or archived pages, contact the website directly and ask them to remove or update the content. News sites are less likely to delete old articles, but they may update them to remove sensitive details like your address or phone number. Be specific about what information you want removed and why.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to remove information from Google?

Google typically removes pages from search results within a few days of your request, though it can take up to two weeks. The page itself stays on the website — only the search result disappears. If the page is updated or re-indexed, it may reappear in search results.

Do I have to pay to remove my information from data broker sites?

No. Data brokers must remove your information for free if you request it. If a site charges a fee for removal, it's likely a scam. Legitimate sites like Spokeo and BeenVerified have free removal options, though they may also offer paid services like identity monitoring.

Will removing my information from Google remove it from the internet?

No. Removing it from Google search results only hides it from Google searches. The information still exists on the original website and may appear in other search engines like Bing or DuckDuckGo. You need to remove it from the source website or request removal from each search engine separately.

Can I remove information that someone else posted about me?

You can ask the person or website to remove it, but you cannot force them to unless the information is false, defamatory, or violates the website's terms of service. Contact the website's support team with a removal request. If the site ignores you, you can file a complaint with the FTC or your state's attorney general.

How often should I check if my information is back online?

Search your name on Google and check major data broker sites every 6 to 12 months. Data brokers re-collect information from public records, so your details may reappear even after removal. Setting a calendar reminder makes it easier to stay on top of this.