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

You cannot delete everything about yourself from the internet. Information that has been copied, archived, or republished by other websites is beyond your direct control. But you can remove information from the sources you own or control — your social media accounts, old email addresses, accounts you no longer use — and you can request removal from some major data brokers and search engines. The realistic goal is to reduce what's publicly searchable and to shrink the number of places where your personal details live.

Start by understanding what you're dealing with. Your personal information exists in three categories: data you posted yourself (social media, forums, old websites), data collected about you by companies (data brokers, advertisers, analytics services), and data published by others (news articles, public records, background check sites). You have the most control over the first category, some control over the second, and almost none over the third.

Key Takeaways

  • Delete or deactivate old social media accounts, email addresses, and online accounts you no longer use, because inactive accounts are often easier targets for hackers and data breaches.
  • Request removal from Google Search and Bing by using their official removal tools, which can take days to weeks to process.
  • Submit removal requests to data brokers like Spokeo, PeopleFinder, and Whitepages using their opt-out forms, though you may need to repeat this annually.
  • Search for your name on the major platforms where you have accounts and delete posts, photos, and profile information you no longer want public.
  • Information published by news outlets, government agencies, and court records cannot be removed by you, but you can request removal from sites that republish that information.

Remove accounts and content you control directly

Start with the accounts and websites you created. Search for your name in quotes on Google — this finds exact matches — and look for accounts or pages you recognize. Make a list of what you find: old social media profiles, email addresses you used for forums, blogs you abandoned, accounts on shopping sites or services you no longer use.

For each account, you have two options: delete it or deactivate it. Deletion is permanent and removes your data from the company's servers (though backups may exist for months). Deactivation hides your profile but keeps your account in the company's system. If you think you might return to a platform, deactivation is safer. If you're certain you won't, deletion is cleaner. Most major platforms — Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok, LinkedIn — have a settings page for account deletion. Look for "Settings," then "Account," then "Deactivate" or "Delete Account." The process usually requires you to confirm your identity and wait a period (often 30 days) before the account is fully removed.

For email addresses, delete old accounts you no longer check. Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo all have account deletion options in their settings. Before you delete an email account, read your data if you need to keep records — most providers offer a data read tool. Once deleted, that email address may become available for someone else to register, so if you had important accounts tied to it, change the email address on those accounts first.

Request removal from search engines

Google Search and Bing both have official tools to request removal of specific pages or images. This doesn't delete the page from the internet — it just removes it from their search results. The page still exists on the original website, but most people won't find it.

Go to Google Search Console (search.google.com/search-console) and sign in with your Google account. Search for your name and look at the results. If you see a page you want removed, click on it, then use the "Remove" button. Google will ask you to confirm that you own the page or have permission to request its removal. If you don't own the page, you can still request removal, but Google may deny it. For images, use Google Images and right-click on the image, then select "Report image" and choose "Remove from Google Images."

For Bing, go to Bing Webmaster Tools (bing.com/webmasters) and use the "Remove URL" tool. The process is similar: you submit the URL and Bing reviews your request. Both search engines typically process removal requests within days to a few weeks. The removal is not permanent — if the page is updated or the website is recrawled, it may reappear in search results.

Opt out of data brokers

Data brokers are companies that collect, buy, and sell personal information about you. They gather data from public records, online sources, and other data brokers, then sell it to marketers, employers, landlords, and others. Common data brokers include Spokeo, PeopleFinder, Whitepages, BeenVerified, and Intelius. These sites publish your name, address, phone number, email, and sometimes family members' names and ages.

Most data brokers have an opt-out form on their website. Search for "[broker name] opt out" and you'll find the form. You'll usually need to provide your name and address to prove you're the person in their database. Some brokers require you to verify your identity by email or phone. The process takes 10 to 30 minutes per broker. After you submit the request, the broker typically removes your information within days to a few weeks. However, many data brokers re-add your information over time as they collect new data, so you may need to repeat this process annually.

If you want to opt out of multiple brokers at once, services like Incogni or OneRep will do this for you, but they charge a monthly fee. For free, you can do it yourself — it takes longer but costs nothing. Focus on the brokers that appear highest in your search results, since those are the ones most people will see.

Handle information you don't control

If your information appears on a website you don't own — a news article, a background check site, a forum post by someone else — you have fewer options. You cannot force a news outlet to delete an article, and you cannot force a forum to delete someone else's post about you. But you can request removal in some cases.

For background check sites that republish public records, search for your name on sites like MyLife, Truthfinder, and when ready Checkmate. These sites often have opt-out forms similar to data brokers. For forum posts or comments about you, contact the website's moderators or use their reporting tool. They may remove posts that violate their terms of service, but they're not required to remove posts just because you ask.

For news articles, contact the publication directly. Explain why the information is inaccurate or outdated and ask if they'll update or remove it. Most major news outlets won't delete articles, but they may add a correction or update. For very old articles that are no longer relevant, some publications will remove them from their website, though the article may still exist in archives.

Reduce what's collected about you going forward

Removing information is one step. Preventing new information from being collected is another. Adjust your privacy settings on social media accounts you keep. On Facebook, go to Settings, then Privacy, and change "Who can see your posts?" to "Friends" or "Only Me." On Instagram, go to Settings, then Privacy, and toggle "Private Account" on. On Twitter/X, go to Settings, then Privacy and Safety, and toggle "Protect your posts" on.

Limit what you share publicly. Before you post anything, ask whether you'd be comfortable with a stranger, an employer, or a landlord seeing it. Once something is posted, assume it can be screenshot, shared, or archived. Use privacy-focused email providers like ProtonMail or Tutanota if you're concerned about your email being scanned for advertising. Use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password so you don't reuse passwords across websites — if one site is breached, your other accounts stay safer.

Consider using a VPN (virtual private network) when you browse, which hides your IP address from websites you visit. This doesn't hide your identity, but it makes it harder for advertisers to track your browsing across sites. Free VPNs often sell your data to pay for their service, so if you use one, choose a paid provider with a no-logging policy, like Mullvad or IVPN.

What to do if your information is used fraudulently

If you discover that someone is using your personal information to open accounts, explore for credit, or impersonate you, this is identity theft. Contact the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov and file a report. The FTC will create a recovery plan and send you a letter you can use to dispute fraudulent accounts with banks and credit card companies.

Place a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting one of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. You only need to contact one; they're required to notify the others. A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. It's free and lasts one year. If you've been a victim of identity theft before, you can place an extended fraud alert that lasts seven years.

Consider a credit freeze, which prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name without your permission. You'll need to unfreeze your credit if you want to explore for a loan or credit card yourself, but it's one of the strongest protections available. Credit freezes are free and last until you remove them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for information to be removed from Google Search?

Google typically processes removal requests within a few days to a week. However, if the page is updated or the website is recrawled, the page may reappear in search results. Removal from Google Search is not permanent — it only lasts until the page is updated or reindexed.

Can I remove information from Wikipedia?

Wikipedia has strict rules about what information can be removed. You can request removal of information that violates Wikipedia's policies — such as personal contact information, social security numbers, or information that's not relevant to a public figure. Go to the article's talk page and request removal, explaining why. Wikipedia editors will review your request, but they may deny it if the information is factual and relevant.

What if a data broker won't remove my information?

If a data broker ignores your opt-out request, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You can also contact your state's attorney general's office. Some states have laws requiring data brokers to honor opt-out requests. If the broker continues to ignore you, you may be able to take legal action, though this is expensive and most people don't pursue it.

Will removing my information hurt my credit score?

No. Removing your information from data brokers and search engines does not affect your credit score. Your credit score is based on your credit history — payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, and credit inquiries. Removing information from public websites has no connection to your credit report.

Do I need to pay for removal services?

No. You can remove your information for free by contacting data brokers and search engines directly. Services like Incogni or OneRep charge a monthly fee to do this work for you, but they're optional. If you have time, doing it yourself costs nothing.