What you can actually remove, and what stays online forever
You cannot delete information from the entire internet — once something is published, copies exist on servers you do not control. What you can do is remove your information from the places where strangers find it most easily: search engine results, data broker websites, and social media platforms you posted to yourself.
Search engines like Google do not store the original information. They index pages that already exist elsewhere. So removing something from Google means either asking Google to stop showing it, or asking the website that hosts it to take it down first. Data brokers — companies that collect and sell your personal details — are different. They own the information themselves, and many have removal processes you can use directly.
The fastest results come from removing information you posted yourself: old social media accounts, outdated profiles, or pages you created. Removing information from data brokers takes longer but affects where your name appears in paid people-search results. Asking Google to remove search results works only if the original page is already gone or if the content violates Google's policies.
Key Takeaways
- Information you posted yourself — social media profiles, old dating accounts, forum posts — can be deleted directly from those websites, and Google will stop showing them within weeks.
- Data brokers like Spokeo, BeenVerified, and Whitepages collect your information and sell it; most have removal forms on their websites that work if you prove your identity.
- Google can remove search results only if the original webpage is deleted or if the content violates their policies, such as non-consensual intimate images or doxxing.
- Removal is not permanent — information can be re-added to data brokers or re-indexed by Google if it is republished, so you may need to repeat the process yearly.
- You cannot remove information from archived versions of websites (like the Wayback Machine) through normal channels, though you can request removal directly from the archive site.
Remove social media accounts and profiles you created
Start here because this is the fastest and most complete removal. If you have old Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, or dating app accounts, deleting them removes the source that Google indexes. Most social platforms have a delete or deactivate option in account settings.
The difference matters: deactivating hides your profile temporarily but keeps your data on their servers. Deleting removes it permanently after a waiting period (usually 30 days for Facebook, 90 days for Google accounts). During the waiting period, you can cancel the deletion. After it expires, the account is gone, and Google will stop showing it in search results within a few weeks.
For each account, go to settings, look for "Delete Account" or "Close Account," and follow the steps. Write down which accounts you delete and when, so you know when the waiting period ends. If you cannot find the delete option, search "[platform name] how to delete account" — the steps change occasionally.
Request removal from data broker websites
Data brokers collect information from public records, old websites, and other data brokers, then sell access to it. The major ones are Spokeo, BeenVerified, Whitepages, Intelius, and MyLife. Searching your name on these sites often shows your address, phone number, relatives, and sometimes old addresses or employment history.
Most data brokers have an "opt out" or "remove my information" link, usually at the bottom of their homepage or in their privacy policy. Click it, enter your name and email, and follow their steps. Many require you to click a link in a confirmation email. Some ask you to upload a photo ID or sign an affidavit proving you are who you say you are.
This process works but is slow. Removal can take two to four weeks, and you may need to repeat it yearly because data brokers re-add information over time. If a data broker does not have a removal option or ignores your request, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov, though this does not force removal — it documents the complaint.
Keep records of which brokers you contacted and when. Some people use a spreadsheet to track removal dates and re-check every six months to see if information has been re-added.
Ask Google to remove search results
Google's removal tool works only in specific situations. You can request removal if the search result links to a page that no longer exists, or if the content violates Google's policies. Violations include non-consensual intimate images, doxxing (publishing someone's private address or phone number to harass them), or content that impersonates you.
To request removal, go to google.com/webmasters/tools/removals. Sign in with a Google account, click "New Request," and paste the exact URL of the search result you want removed. Describe why it should be removed — for example, "This page contains my address published without consent" or "This page no longer exists."
Google reviews requests within days but does not always approve them. If the original page still exists and does not violate their policies, Google will likely deny the request. If they approve it, the result disappears from Google Search within a few days, though it may reappear if the original page is updated or if Google re-indexes it later.
If the original page still exists and you want it removed, you need to contact the website owner directly. Look for a contact form or email on the website, explain why the information should be removed, and ask them to delete it. If they refuse and the content is defamatory (provably false and damaging to your reputation), you may have legal options, but that requires consulting a lawyer.
Contact website owners directly
If your information appears on a website you do not control — an old news article, a forum post, a business listing, or a profile someone else created — you can contact the website owner and ask them to remove it.
Look for a contact page, email address, or contact form on the website. If you cannot find one, use a WHOIS lookup tool (like whois.com) to find the domain owner's contact information. Send a polite email explaining what information you want removed and why. Be specific: include the exact URL and describe which parts of the page contain your information.
Website owners are not legally required to remove information unless it is defamatory, violates copyright, or breaks their own policies. Many will remove outdated information if you ask politely. Some will not respond. If the website is a news site or public record, removal is unlikely.
Handle archived versions of old pages
Even if you delete a page or ask Google to remove it, archived versions may still exist on the Wayback Machine (archive.org) or similar services. These archives preserve old versions of websites for historical purposes.
To request removal from the Wayback Machine, go to archive.org, search for your URL, and look for an "About" or "Exclude" link. You can request that the Wayway Machine stop archiving a page going forward, or ask them to remove existing snapshots. The process is slower than Google removal and depends on the archive's policies.
Some archives honor removal requests; others do not. If the archived page contains sensitive information like your address or phone number, explain that in your request. Archive.org is more responsive to removal requests than smaller archives, but there is no may provide.
Understand what removal does and does not do
Removing your information from Google, data brokers, and social media makes you harder to find through casual searching. Someone looking for your name will not when ready find your address, phone number, or old profiles. This protects you from most unwanted contact and reduces your digital footprint in the places where strangers search.
Removal does not make you invisible. People who know you can still find you. Your information may still appear in paid background check services that do not honor removal requests. Information published by news organizations, government agencies, or court records usually cannot be removed. And if someone republishes your information, it can be re-indexed by Google and re-added to data brokers.
Removal is also not permanent. Data brokers collect information continuously, so your details may be re-added months or years later. Many people repeat the removal process every six to twelve months, especially for data brokers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for Google to stop showing my information?
If you delete the original page, Google usually stops showing it within two to four weeks. If you request removal through Google's removal tool and they approve it, the result disappears within days. If you request removal but the original page still exists, Google will likely deny the request and the result will continue to appear.
Do I have to pay to remove my information from data brokers?
No. All major data brokers offer free removal through their opt-out pages. Some offer paid services that monitor for re-listing, but removal itself is free. If a website charges you to remove your information, it is likely a scam.
What if a data broker will not remove my information?
Document your removal request with screenshots, then file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC investigates complaints about data brokers that ignore removal requests. You can also contact your state's attorney general's office, which sometimes takes action against brokers that violate state privacy laws.
Can I remove information from news websites or court records?
Usually not. News organizations and government agencies are not required to remove published information, even if it is about you. Some news sites will remove outdated information if you ask, but many will not. Court records are public by law and cannot be removed, though some states allow you to seal certain records under specific circumstances.
Will removing my information stop people from finding me?
It will stop casual searching through Google and data brokers. People who know you, have your contact information, or use paid background check services can still find you. Removal makes you harder to find but does not make you unfindable.