What you can actually remove, and what you probably can't

You cannot delete everything about yourself from the internet. Search engines, data brokers, and websites you never signed up for hold copies of your information, and you do not control all of them. What you can do is remove information from places you do control — your own accounts and profiles — and request removal from some data brokers and search engines. The rest requires ongoing management rather than a one-time cleanup.

Start by understanding the difference between three types of information online. First: things you posted yourself on social media, forums, or websites. Second: information data brokers collected and sell (your address, phone number, past addresses, relatives' names). Third: information that appears in public records — court documents, property records, business filings — which data brokers often republish. Each type requires a different removal strategy.

Key Takeaways

  • You can delete posts and accounts you control, but deleting an account does not always remove cached copies that search engines or archives already saved.
  • Data brokers like Spokeo, Whitepages, and BeenVerified collect and sell your information; you can request removal from each one individually, but new brokers appear constantly.
  • Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools let you request that search engines stop showing specific pages or images about you.
  • Information in public records (court documents, property records) cannot be removed from the internet, but you can request it be removed from the original government source in some cases.
  • Removal takes weeks to months per site and requires you to verify your identity; there is no single button that removes you everywhere.

Removing information from accounts and websites you control

Start here because this is the only part you have direct power over. Go through each account where you have posted personal information: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok, LinkedIn, Reddit, Nextdoor, Yelp, Google Maps reviews, or any forum where you used your real name or location.

For each account, read your data first if the platform offers it. Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Instagram all have data read tools in their settings. This gives you a copy of what you posted before you delete it. Then delete the posts or comments that contain personal details — your address, phone number, workplace, children's names, or photos that show your home or car. You can delete individual posts without closing the account, or delete the entire account if you want to stop using the platform.

Deleting a post from Facebook does not mean it disappears from the internet. Google may have already cached it, and the Internet Archive (archive.org) may have saved a copy. After you delete your posts, you can request removal from these two places separately — see the section on search engines below.

Requesting removal from data brokers

Data brokers are companies that collect your personal information from public records, social media, and other sources, then sell it to anyone who pays. Common ones include Spokeo, Whitepages, BeenVerified, Intelius, PeopleFinder, and when ready Checkmate. You will find your information on their sites by searching your name.

Each broker has its own removal process, and there is no central place to remove yourself from all of them at once. Visit the broker's website, search for your name, and look for a link that says "Remove my information" or "Privacy request" — usually at the bottom of the page or in their privacy policy. You will need to verify your identity, usually by uploading a photo of your ID or answering security questions. The process takes one to four weeks per site.

After removal, your information may reappear months or years later when the broker updates its database. Some brokers also have opt-out tools where you can set a preference not to be listed, though this is not the same as permanent deletion. Keep a list of which brokers you have contacted and when, so you can follow up if your information returns.

Requesting removal from search engines

Google and Bing index billions of pages. You cannot delete a page from the internet by asking Google, but you can ask Google to stop showing it in search results. This is useful if a page about you still exists somewhere but you do not want it to appear when someone searches your name.

Use Google Search Console to request removal. Go to google.com/webmasters, sign in with your Google account, and add your website or the specific page you want removed. Then use the "Removals" tool to request that Google stop indexing it. Google will review your request and usually respond within a few days. The page stays on the internet, but it will not show up in Google search results for a while — though it may reappear if the page is updated or if Google recrawls it.

For pages you do not own, you can still request removal through Google's removal request form, but Google is more likely to approve if the page contains sensitive information like your home address, phone number, or financial details. Bing has a similar tool at webmaster.microsoft.com.

You can also request removal from the Internet Archive (archive.org), which saves snapshots of websites over time. Search for your name or a specific URL on archive.org, and if you find pages you want removed, use their removal request form. They usually honor requests within days.

Handling information in public records

Court documents, property records, business filings, and arrest records are public by law. Data brokers republish this information on their sites, but the original source is government databases. You cannot remove information from the internet if it is still in the public record.

In some cases, you can petition the original government agency to seal or remove the record. For example, if you were arrested but charges were dropped, you may be able to request that the arrest record be sealed or expunged. If you are a victim of domestic violence, some states let you request that your address be removed from property records. Contact the specific court, county assessor, or agency that holds the record to ask about removal options. This process is slow and often requires a lawyer.

Once a record is sealed at the source, data brokers are usually required by law to remove it from their sites. But you will need to contact each broker individually and provide proof that the record was sealed.

Managing your digital footprint going forward

After you remove information, the work is not finished. New data brokers appear, social media platforms change their policies, and you may post new information without thinking about it. Set a reminder to search your name every few months and check what appears in results.

Going forward, be selective about what you post publicly. Use privacy settings on social media to limit who can see your posts. Avoid posting your full address, phone number, or birthdate. Use different usernames on different platforms so that information posted under one name is harder to connect to you. Consider using a P.O. box instead of your home address for online shopping and signups.

If you are concerned about a specific type of information — like your address being sold to marketers — you can opt out of data sharing through the National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov) and the National Consumer information Plan (ncap.org). These do not remove your information from data brokers, but they reduce how much it is shared.

When you need help from a lawyer or service

If your information is being used to harass, stalk, or impersonate you, or if you are a victim of domestic violence or stalking, contact local law enforcement or a legal aid organization. Some states have laws that require removal of information in these cases, and a lawyer can help you enforce them.

Some companies offer to remove your information for a fee. Be cautious: they do the same work you can do yourself (contacting brokers and search engines), and they cannot remove information from public records or may provide permanent removal. If you have the time, doing it yourself costs nothing. If you do not have the time, a service may be worth the cost, but read reviews carefully and understand what they actually promise to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to remove my information from the internet?

Removal from a single data broker takes one to four weeks. Removal from Google search results takes a few days to a few weeks. If you want to remove yourself from multiple brokers, the total process takes months. Public records cannot be removed from the internet unless you can get them sealed at the source, which can take months or years.

If I delete my Facebook account, does my information disappear from Google?

No. Google may have already cached your Facebook posts or photos before you deleted them. You need to request removal from Google separately using Google Search Console or Google's removal request form. Even after removal, cached copies may exist on other sites or archives.

Can I remove my information from public records?

Not in most cases. Public records are kept by government agencies and are open by law. You can petition to seal or expunge a record in specific situations — like if charges were dropped or if you are a victim of domestic violence — but this requires contacting the original agency and often requires a lawyer.

What should I do if a data broker keeps republishing my information after I request removal?

Keep records of your removal requests and the dates you made them. Contact the broker again and reference your previous request. If they continue to republish information you have asked them to remove, you may have a legal claim under state privacy laws. Contact a lawyer or your state's attorney general office.

Do I need to pay a service to remove my information?

No. You can contact data brokers and search engines yourself for free. Services that charge a fee do the same work you can do yourself. The only time you might need to pay is if you hire a lawyer to help seal a public record or enforce your rights under state privacy law.