What you can actually remove, and what you cannot

You cannot delete information from the internet entirely. Once something is posted, copied, or indexed by search engines, it exists in multiple places — some you control, some you do not. What you can do is remove it from the places you own, ask search engines to stop showing it, and request that websites take down content about you under specific laws.

The difference matters because a deleted Facebook post is gone from Facebook, but Google may still show it in search results for weeks or months. A photo you posted years ago might be hosted on your own website, but also saved on someone else's server, archived by the Internet Archive, and shared across social media. You have direct control over only the first one.

The realistic goal is to reduce how easily someone can find your information through a search engine, remove it from the platforms you use, and know which legal tools exist when someone else posted something about you.

Key Takeaways

  • Information you posted yourself can be deleted from your own accounts and websites, but search engines may continue showing cached or archived copies for weeks.
  • Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools let you request removal of specific pages from search results, though this does not delete the page itself.
  • The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine allows you to request that archived snapshots of your website be removed from their public database.
  • Content posted by someone else about you may be removable under laws like the EU's right to be forgotten, but US law offers fewer protections and removal depends on the website's policies.
  • Removing old social media accounts, untagging yourself from photos, and adjusting privacy settings reduces what appears in search results without requiring you to contact anyone.

Remove content from platforms you control

Start with accounts and websites you own. Delete old social media accounts, remove blog posts, take down personal websites, and delete photos you uploaded. This is the only removal you have complete control over.

On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn, you can delete individual posts, photos, or comments by finding them in your profile and selecting delete or remove. Deleting a post removes it from the platform when ready, though the platform keeps a copy in its servers for a period. If you want to remove your entire account, each platform has a deactivation or deletion option — usually found in settings under account or privacy. Deactivation hides your profile but keeps your data; deletion removes it after 30 days (Facebook and Instagram) or when ready (Twitter). The process takes weeks to complete on the platform's servers.

For a personal website or blog you host yourself, log into your hosting account or content management system (WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, etc.), find the post or page, and delete it. The page disappears from your website when ready, but search engines may still show it in results until they re-crawl your site and update their index — usually within days to weeks.

Request removal from search engines

Google and Bing index billions of pages. When you delete something from your website, the search engine does not automatically know it is gone. You can tell them directly using their removal tools.

Google Search Console is Google's tool for website owners. If you own the website where the content was posted, you can use the Removal Tool to request that Google stop showing a specific URL in search results. Go to Google Search Console, select your website, click Tools on the left, then Removals, then New Request. Enter the full URL of the page you want removed. Google will stop showing it in search results within days, though the page itself still exists on your website — you must delete it there separately. The removal is temporary; if you do not delete the page, Google will re-index it after about six months.

If you do not own the website but want Google to remove a page about you, use the removal request form at google.com/webmasters/tools/removals. This is slower and works only in specific cases: if the content violates Google's policies (like revenge porn or doxxing), if it contains your personal information posted without consent, or if it is outdated information like old phone numbers or addresses. Google reviews these requests manually and may take weeks to respond.

Bing Webmaster Tools works similarly. Log in, select your site, go to Tools, then URL Removal, then Add URL. Enter the page you want removed. Bing will remove it from search results within days.

Handle archived versions of your pages

The Internet Archive (archive.org) crawls and saves snapshots of websites automatically. Even if you delete a page from your website and remove it from Google, the Internet Archive may still have a copy from years ago.

Go to archive.org and search for your website or the specific page. If you see snapshots you want removed, click the calendar icon to see all snapshots, then click the "Remove this URL from the Wayback Machine" link at the bottom. You will be asked to verify that you own the website by uploading a file to your server or adding a meta tag to your site's code. Once verified, the Internet Archive will remove all snapshots of that page. This process takes a few days.

If you do not own the website, you can still request removal by filling out the Internet Archive's removal request form, though they review these manually and may deny the request if they believe the content is historically important.

Remove content posted by someone else

If someone else posted information about you, your options depend on what the information is, where it was posted, and where you live.

On social media: Report the post to the platform. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn all have reporting tools. Click the three dots or menu icon on the post, select Report, and choose a reason — usually "It is abusive or harmful" or "It is about me and I do not consent to it being shared." The platform reviews the report and may remove the post if it violates their terms. This is not may provide; platforms make their own decisions about what stays.

On other websites: Look for a contact form or email address on the website. Send a message explaining that the content is about you, you did not consent to it being posted, and you would like it removed. Many websites will remove content if you ask politely. If they refuse, your next step depends on the type of content and your location.

In the EU: You may have a "right to be forgotten" under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This means you can request that search engines stop showing pages with your personal information, even if the page itself is not deleted. Contact Google or Bing through their removal request forms and explain that you are in the EU and the content contains your personal data. They will review the request and may remove it from search results in the EU, though the page stays online.

In the US: There is no federal right to be forgotten. Your options are limited to the website's own policies, contacting the website owner directly, or in specific cases (like revenge porn or doxxing), reporting to law enforcement. Some states have laws about removing certain types of content — California, for example, allows minors to request removal of content they posted themselves.

Reduce what appears in search results without deletion

You do not have to delete content to make it harder to find. Adjusting privacy settings and removing tags reduces what search engines can index.

On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, change your profile to private. This prevents search engines from indexing your posts and profile information. Go to Settings, then Privacy or Account, and change who can see your posts from Public to Friends Only or Private. Existing search results may take weeks to disappear, but new posts will not be indexed.

Untag yourself from photos and posts on social media. When someone tags you in a photo, it appears on your profile and in search results. Click the photo, find the tag, and select "Remove tag" or "Untag myself." This removes the tag from your profile but does not delete the photo from the other person's account.

On Google, you can also use the "About You" feature in Google Search to manage what information appears in your knowledge panel — the box that shows up on the right side of search results when someone searches your name. Go to google.com/search and search your name, then click "About this result" and follow the prompts to suggest changes.

What to do about old information that keeps appearing

Sometimes outdated information — old phone numbers, addresses, or employer names — appears in search results even after you have deleted it. This usually comes from data broker websites that collect and sell personal information.

Search for your name on major data brokers like Spokeo, Whitepages, BeenVerified, and PeopleFinder. Most of these sites have an opt-out or removal link, usually at the bottom of your profile page or in their privacy policy. Click it and follow the steps to request removal. Some require you to verify your identity by email or phone. Removal usually takes days to weeks.

You can also use services like DeleteMe or Opting Out that remove your information from data brokers on your behalf, though these charge a fee. If you prefer to do it yourself, it is free but takes more time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Deleting your Facebook account removes your profile from Facebook, but Google may still show cached or archived versions of your public posts in search results for weeks. Use Google Search Console to request removal of specific pages, or wait for Google to re-crawl your profile and notice it is gone. This usually takes two to four weeks.

Can I remove my information from Google completely?

Not completely. Google will remove specific pages you request, but your name will still appear in search results if other websites mention you. You can reduce what shows up by making your own social media accounts private, removing old websites, and requesting removal from data brokers, but you cannot prevent all mentions of your name from appearing.

How long does it take for deleted content to stop appearing in search results?

It varies. If you use Google Search Console to request removal, Google usually stops showing the page within days. If you just delete the page from your website without requesting removal, it may take weeks for Google to re-crawl your site and notice it is gone. The Internet Archive may keep copies for months or years unless you request removal.

What if a website refuses to remove content about me?

In the EU, you can file a complaint under GDPR. In the US, your options are limited unless the content is illegal (like revenge porn, threats, or doxxing), in which case you can report it to law enforcement. Otherwise, you can try contacting the website owner again, asking a lawyer to send a cease-and-desist letter, or using Google's removal request form if the content contains your personal information.

Does removing my information from search results delete it from the internet?

No. Removing something from Google search results only hides it from Google. The page still exists on the website that hosts it. To actually delete content, you must either delete it from your own website or ask the website owner to delete it. Removal from search results just makes it harder to find.