What you can actually remove from the internet

You cannot erase everything about yourself from the internet, but you can remove your personal information from the places where it matters most: search results, data broker websites, and social media. Search engines like Google will stop showing your address, phone number, or email if you request removal through their tools. Data brokers — companies that collect and sell your information — must remove your details if you contact them directly. Social media sites let you delete your own posts and accounts. What you cannot control is information already published by news outlets, government records, or other people's websites, though you can sometimes request removal from those too.

The key difference is between removing content from a search engine and removing it from the original website. When you ask Google to stop showing something, the page still exists wherever it was published — you are just hiding it from search results. To truly remove information, you need to delete it from the source or convince the website owner to delete it.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools let you request removal of specific pages or personal information from search results within days.
  • Data brokers like Whitepages, Spokeo, and BeenVerified have removal pages where you submit your information to be deleted from their databases.
  • You can delete your own social media accounts and posts, but removing content posted by others requires contacting the site or the person who posted it.
  • Removal requests work best when you target the specific site holding your information rather than trying to erase yourself everywhere at once.
  • Some information — like property records, court documents, and news articles — lives on government or publisher websites and cannot be removed through consumer tools.

Removing yourself from Google Search and Bing

Google Search Console is the fastest way to stop your personal information from appearing in Google search results. Go to Google Search Console, sign in with your Google account, and add the website or page that contains your information. Under the "Removals" section, you can request that Google stop showing a specific URL or remove sensitive information like your phone number, email, or home address from search snippets. Google typically processes these requests within a few days.

For Bing, use Bing Webmaster Tools the same way. You do not need to own the website — you can request removal of any page containing your personal details. If the information is on a site you do not control (like a data broker or old social media post), you will need to contact that site's owner to remove the content itself. Google and Bing will then stop showing it once the page is gone or updated.

Keep in mind that removing something from search results does not delete it from the internet. The page still exists on its original website. You are only asking the search engine to stop displaying it. If someone goes directly to that website, they can still see the information. This is why targeting the source — the data broker or website holding your information — is more effective than just hiding it from search engines.

Contacting data brokers to remove your information

Data brokers buy and sell personal information — your address, phone number, email, age, family members, property details — and publish it on searchable websites. The major ones include Whitepages, Spokeo, BeenVerified, TruthFinder, and Intelius. Each has a removal or privacy page where you can request deletion. The process usually involves entering your name and the information you want removed, then confirming your request through an email link.

Go directly to each broker's website and look for "Remove my information," "Privacy," or "Opt out." Do not use a third-party removal service — you can do this yourself for free. Some brokers process requests in hours; others take weeks. You may need to repeat the process if the same information reappears later, since brokers continuously update their databases from public records and other sources.

If a data broker does not have a removal page or ignores your request, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Document your removal request and the date you sent it. Keep copies of any confirmation emails the broker sends you, as these prove you made the request.

Deleting your social media accounts and posts

You have full control over content you posted yourself. On Facebook, you can delete individual posts by clicking the three dots on the post and selecting "Delete," or delete your entire account through Settings > Deactivation and Deletion. Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn all have similar options in their settings. Deleting an account usually takes 30 days to fully process, during which the account is hidden but not yet gone.

For content posted by other people that includes your information or photo, you can report it to the platform. Most social media sites have options to report posts that violate privacy or contain personal information. You can also contact the person directly and ask them to remove it. If the post contains harassment, impersonation, or explicit images, the platform may remove it without waiting for the other person's permission.

Removing information from websites you control

If your personal information appears on a website you own or manage — an old blog, a business site, or a profile page — delete or edit the content directly. Once you have removed it, request removal from Google Search Console so the old version stops appearing in search results. You can also add a robots.txt file to your website to tell search engines not to index certain pages.

If you have a personal website or blog that you no longer use, consider deleting it entirely. Abandoned sites are common sources of outdated personal information. If you want to keep the site but remove specific pages, delete those pages and then submit a removal request to Google and Bing. This two-step process — deleting the content first, then asking search engines to stop showing it — is more effective than removal requests alone.

Information you cannot remove

Government records — property deeds, court documents, marriage licenses, arrest records — are public by law and cannot be removed from government websites. News articles published by legitimate news outlets are also protected and generally cannot be removed, even if they contain information about you. Some states allow you to petition a court to seal certain records, but this requires a legal process and specific grounds like identity theft or domestic violence.

If false information about you appears in a news article, you can contact the publication and request a correction or retraction. Many news sites have a corrections policy. If the information is defamatory (false and damaging to your reputation), you may have legal grounds to pursue a claim, though this requires consulting a lawyer. For government records, your only realistic option is to work with an attorney if you believe the record should be sealed under state law.

Protecting your information going forward

Once you have removed your information, take steps to prevent it from being collected again. Use privacy settings on social media to limit who can see your posts and profile. Be cautious about where you enter your phone number and email — avoid signing up for services that do not clearly explain how they use your data. Consider using a separate email address for online shopping and services, keeping your primary email more private.

If you are concerned about data brokers collecting your information in the future, some brokers offer opt-out services where you can prevent them from listing you. These are not free, but they may be worth it if you are frequently targeted by unwanted contact. Alternatively, you can set a calendar reminder to check the major data broker sites once a year and request removal again if your information has reappeared.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to remove information from Google?

Google typically processes removal requests through Search Console within a few days to a week. Data brokers and other websites may take longer — anywhere from hours to several weeks. The speed depends on how quickly the site processes your request and whether they actually remove the content.

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

No. You can contact data brokers, search engines, and social media sites yourself for free. Third-party removal services charge money to do what you can do yourself. The only exception is if you need legal help with sealed records or defamation claims.

What if my information keeps reappearing after I remove it?

Data brokers update their databases regularly from public records and other sources, so your information may reappear months later. You can request removal again. Some brokers offer paid opt-out services that prevent your information from being listed in the future, though these are not may provide to work permanently.

Can I remove my information from news articles?

News outlets are not required to remove published articles. You can contact the publication and request a correction if the information is false, or ask them to remove your personal details if they are not essential to the story. Some publications will do this; others will not. You cannot force removal of truthful reporting.

Will removing my information affect my credit or background checks?

No. Removing your information from data brokers and search results does not affect credit reports or official background checks. Those come from different sources — credit bureaus and official records — and are separate from the public data broker sites.