What you can actually remove, and what you probably cannot
You cannot delete information from the internet entirely, but you can remove it from the places where strangers find it most easily. Search engines like Google will stop showing your name attached to old addresses, phone numbers, or outdated profiles if you ask them directly. Websites themselves — social media platforms, data broker sites, old blog posts — can be edited or deleted by whoever controls them, usually you or the site owner. What you cannot do is force every copy of something that was once public to vanish from every server, archive, or screenshot that exists.
The practical goal is to reduce what shows up when someone searches your name, and to reclaim control over accounts and profiles you no longer use. This takes time and involves different steps depending on where the information lives.
Key Takeaways
- Google and Bing will remove links to personal information like your address or phone number if you submit a removal request through their official tools, though this takes one to two weeks.
- You control what appears on social media accounts, email addresses, and websites you own — delete or make private what you do not want public.
- Data broker sites like Spokeo, Whitepages, and BeenVerified sell compiled information about you; most have opt-out forms on their websites, though some require repeated requests.
- The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine stores snapshots of old web pages; you can request removal of your information from their archives through their exclusion tool.
- Removal from search results does not delete the original page — it only stops search engines from linking to it.
Remove yourself from Google and Bing search results
Google and Bing both have official removal tools. These do not delete the original page from the internet; they tell the search engine to stop showing that link when someone searches. The original page stays where it is, but it becomes much harder to find.
For Google, go to Google Search Console (search.google.com/search-console). Sign in with the Google account you use for search. Click "Removals" on the left menu, then "New Request." Paste the exact URL of the page you want removed and choose your reason — "Personal information" is the option for addresses, phone numbers, or identification numbers. Google will remove it from search results within one to two weeks, though the removal expires after six months and you may need to request it again.
For Bing, use the Bing Webmaster Tools removal tool at webmaster.bing.com. The process is similar: sign in, find the removal request section, and submit the URL. Bing typically processes requests within a few days.
If you do not have access to Search Console or Webmaster Tools, you can submit a removal request directly through Google's support form at google.com/webmasters/tools/removals. You will need to verify that you own the page or have authority to request its removal.
Delete or make private your social media accounts and profiles
Social media platforms, email providers, and any site where you created an account give you direct control. You can delete the account, delete individual posts, or change privacy settings to make your profile invisible to search engines.
On Facebook, go to Settings > Your Information > Deactivation and Deletion. You can deactivate (temporarily hide) or delete (permanently remove after 30 days). Deactivation keeps your data but hides your profile; deletion removes posts, photos, and messages, though Facebook keeps some data for legal reasons. On Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn, the delete account option is usually under Settings > Account or Settings > Privacy and Safety.
Before deleting, read your data if you want to keep copies of your photos or messages. Most platforms offer a data read tool — on Facebook it is Settings > Your Information > read Your Information. On Google, go to myaccount.google.com and click "Data & Privacy" to read everything Google has stored about you.
If you want to keep the account but hide it from search engines, change your privacy settings to "Private" or "Not Searchable." This stops Google from indexing your profile, though the account still exists and your friends can still see it.
Opt out of data broker websites
Data brokers are companies that collect and sell personal information — your address, phone number, age, relatives' names, property records. They get this from public records, old websites, and other brokers. Sites like Spokeo, Whitepages, BeenVerified, and Pipl compile this information and sell it to employers, landlords, and anyone willing to pay.
Most data brokers have an opt-out form on their website, usually under "Privacy" or "Remove My Information." You will need to provide some identifying information to prove you are the person requesting removal. The process varies: some sites remove you when ready, others ask you to verify through email, and some require you to repeat the request every few months because they re-add your information when they update their databases.
Common data brokers and their opt-out pages include Spokeo (spokeo.com/optout), Whitepages (whitepages.com/suppression), BeenVerified (beenverified.com/app/optout), and Pipl (pipl.com/about/remove). If a site does not have a visible opt-out form, look for a "Contact Us" or "Privacy" link and send an email requesting removal.
Opting out is not permanent. These companies update their databases regularly, so your information may reappear months later. You may need to submit removal requests every six to twelve months.
Request removal from the Internet Archive Wayback Machine
The Internet Archive (archive.org) stores snapshots of websites as they appeared on past dates. If an old page with your information was once public, the Wayback Machine may have a copy even if the original page is now deleted.
To remove snapshots of a page you control, go to archive.org/about/exclude.php and fill out the exclusion request form. You will need to verify that you own or control the domain. The Archive will remove all snapshots of that page within days.
If the page is not on a domain you control — for example, an old article about you on a news site or a page on someone else's website — you can still request removal. Go to the Wayback Machine, find the snapshot, and click "Share" or look for a removal request option. The Archive will review your request, though removal is not may provide if the content is newsworthy or of historical importance.
Handle information on websites you do not control
If your information appears on a website you do not own — a news article, a directory, a forum, or someone else's blog — you have fewer direct options. You cannot force the site to delete it, but you can ask.
Contact the website owner or editor. Look for a "Contact Us" page or an email address for the site administrator. Explain what information you want removed and why. News sites rarely delete published articles, but they may update them to remove outdated personal details like phone numbers or addresses. Smaller sites, forums, and blogs are more likely to comply.
If the site hosts defamatory content — false statements that damage your reputation — you may have legal options. Contact a lawyer who handles defamation cases, though this is expensive and slow. Many states have laws allowing you to request removal of certain types of personal information like Social Security numbers or financial account numbers, even from third-party sites.
If the site is a social network or platform, report the content through their abuse or privacy tools. Most platforms have a process for reporting posts that contain your personal information without your consent.
Prevent new information from appearing online
Stopping future exposure is easier than cleaning up the past. Use strong privacy settings on all accounts. On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, set your profile to private so only approved followers see your posts. Turn off location sharing on your phone and in apps. Do not post your phone number, address, or full birth date publicly.
When you sign up for new accounts, use a separate email address that does not contain your full name. Consider using a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to create unique passwords for each site, so if one site is breached, attackers cannot access your other accounts.
Be cautious about what you share in online forms. Many websites ask for information they do not actually need — your phone number, your address, your birth date. If the form is optional, leave it blank. If it is required and you do not trust the site, consider whether you need an account there at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove information that someone else posted about me?
Not directly. You can ask the person to delete it or contact the website where it is posted and request removal. If it contains false information that harms your reputation, you may have legal grounds to demand removal, but this requires a lawyer and varies by location. Most platforms will remove content if you report it as harassment or privacy violation.
How long does it take for Google to remove a page from search results?
Google typically removes pages within one to two weeks of your request through Search Console. Bing is usually faster, within a few days. The removal is not permanent — it expires after six months, and you may need to request it again if the page is still online.
Will removing myself from search results delete the original page?
No. Removing a page from Google or Bing search results only stops those search engines from linking to it. The original page stays on the website where it is hosted. To actually delete the page, you must contact the website owner or delete it yourself if you control the site.
Do I have to pay to remove my information from data broker sites?
No. Legitimate data brokers offer free opt-out forms. If a site charges you to remove your information, it is likely a scam. Use only the official opt-out pages on the broker's website, not third-party removal services that claim to do it for you.
What should I do if my information keeps reappearing after I remove it?
Data brokers and search engines update regularly, so information may reappear. Set a calendar reminder to submit removal requests every six months. If a data broker repeatedly re-adds your information after you opt out, document each request and consider filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.