You cannot remove everything, but you can remove a lot

Complete removal of your information from the internet is not possible. Once something is published, copied, or archived, you lose control over every copy. But you can remove your information from the places where it matters most — the sites people actually visit when they search for you, the data brokers selling your details, and the accounts you no longer use.

The realistic goal is to shrink your digital footprint enough that a casual search does not expose sensitive information, and to stop new information from being collected going forward. This takes time and repeated effort, but it is doable.

Key Takeaways

  • Search engines like Google will remove pages you own or control if you request it through their removal tools, but they cannot remove pages hosted on other people's sites.
  • Data brokers collect and sell your personal information — removing yourself from their databases requires contacting each broker individually or using a removal service.
  • Deactivating old social media accounts, email addresses, and online services stops new information from being indexed and makes old posts harder to find.
  • Your state may have a privacy law that gives you the right to request deletion from certain companies, though enforcement varies.
  • Removal is not permanent — information can reappear if someone republishes it or if you create new accounts with the same details.

Remove yourself from Google Search results

Google does not host most of the web. It only indexes pages that already exist on other people's servers. If you own a website or blog, you can ask Google to remove your pages from search results. If someone else published information about you on their site, Google cannot remove it — only the site owner can.

To remove pages you control, go to Google Search Console (search.google.com/search-console), sign in with the Google account associated with your site, and use the "Removals" tool. You can request removal of a single URL or an entire directory. Google will remove it from search results within days, though the page itself stays live on your server.

For pages you do not own — old social media posts, news articles, forum discussions — you have two options. You can contact the site owner directly and ask them to delete the page. Or you can use Google's removal request form to ask Google to stop showing it in search results, though this only works if the content violates Google's policies (like revenge porn or doxxing) or if you have a legal right to have it removed.

Remove yourself from data broker websites

Data brokers are companies that collect personal information from public records, online transactions, and other sources, then sell it to marketers, employers, and others. Common data brokers include Spokeo, BeenVerified, Whitepages, and Intelius. A search for your name on these sites often returns your address, phone number, and sometimes family members' names.

Each broker has its own removal process. Most have an "opt out" or "remove my information" link on their site, usually at the bottom of the page. You will need to verify your identity — usually by confirming your email address or answering security questions. Some brokers make you repeat this process every few years.

If you want to remove yourself from many brokers at once, services like Incogni and DeleteMe handle the requests for you, though they charge a monthly or annual fee. The free alternative is to visit each broker's site individually, which takes an hour or two but costs nothing.

Removal from data brokers is not permanent. New information gets added constantly, so you may need to repeat the process every year or two.

Delete or deactivate old accounts

Every account you create — email, social media, shopping sites, forums — is a place where your information lives and can be indexed by search engines. Deleting old accounts removes that information from the internet and stops new data from being collected.

Before you delete an account, read your data if the service offers it. Most major platforms (Facebook, Google, Twitter, Instagram) have a data read tool in settings. This gives you a copy of your photos, messages, and posts before they disappear.

Then delete the account. The process varies by service. Facebook and Instagram let you deactivate (temporary, reversible) or delete (permanent, takes 30 days). Gmail lets you delete your entire Google account. Twitter lets you deactivate your account, which hides your tweets for 30 days before permanent deletion. For smaller sites, look for a "delete account" or "close account" option in settings, or contact support if you cannot find it.

After deletion, the account pages may stay in Google's cache for weeks or months. You can speed this up by using Google Search Console to request removal of the account URL.

Control what new information gets published about you

Stopping new information from appearing is easier than removing old information. Set your social media accounts to private so only people you approve can see your posts. Turn off location sharing on your phone and in apps. Do not post your phone number, address, or full birth date on public profiles.

When you sign up for services, use different email addresses for different purposes. Use a throwaway email for shopping sites and newsletters, a separate one for banking and important accounts, and another for social media. This way, if one email gets sold to data brokers or hacked, the others stay clean.

Opt out of data collection where you can. Many websites have a "Do Not Sell My Personal Information" link (required by California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Virginia privacy laws). Some services let you turn off personalized ads in settings. These do not stop all collection, but they reduce it.

Understand your state privacy rights

Several states have passed privacy laws that give you the right to request deletion of your information from certain companies. California's CCPA, Colorado's CPA, Connecticut's CTDPA, and Virginia's VCDPA all include deletion rights. Other states are passing similar laws.

These laws typically let you request that a company delete personal information it has collected about you, with some exceptions (like information needed for legal compliance or fraud prevention). The company usually has 30 to 45 days to respond.

To use these rights, visit the company's privacy policy and look for a "Do Not Sell" or "Delete My Information" link. Some companies have a dedicated privacy portal. You will need to verify your identity, usually by email or by answering security questions.

These laws only explore to companies that meet certain thresholds (usually annual revenue over $25 million or collection of data on thousands of people). Small websites and forums are not covered.

Use privacy tools to limit future tracking

While you are removing old information, you can also limit how much new information gets collected. Use a privacy-focused search engine like DuckDuckGo instead of Google — it does not track your searches or build a profile of you. Use a VPN (virtual private network) when browsing public WiFi so your internet provider and the WiFi owner cannot see which sites you visit.

In your web browser, enable "Do Not Track" in settings. This sends a signal to websites asking them not to track you, though not all sites honor it. Use browser extensions like uBlock Origin (blocks ads and trackers) or Privacy Badger (blocks invisible trackers). These do not remove information already published, but they stop new tracking from happening.

On your phone, turn off ad tracking in settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Tracking and turn off "Allow Apps to Request to Track". On Android, go to Settings > Google > Manage Your Google Account > Data & Privacy and turn off "Web & App Activity".

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to remove information from Google?

If you own the page, Google usually removes it from search results within a few days of your request. If you are asking Google to remove a page you do not own, it depends on whether the content violates Google's policies. If it does, removal can take days to weeks. If it does not, Google will not remove it.

Can I remove my information from the Internet Archive (Wayback Machine)?

Yes. Go to archive.org, search for your site, and click "About" on the page you want removed. Then click "Remove from the Wayback Machine" and fill out the form. The Internet Archive usually honors removal requests within days.

What if a data broker will not remove my information?

If you have made a removal request and the broker ignored it, you may have legal recourse under your state's privacy law. Some states let you sue for violations. You can also file a complaint with your state's attorney general or the Federal Trade Commission.

Do I need to pay for information removal services?

No. You can remove yourself from data brokers and search results for free by doing it yourself. Paid services like DeleteMe and Incogni save you time by handling multiple brokers at once, but they are optional.

Will my information stay removed?

No. Data brokers collect new information constantly, so you may need to repeat removal every year or two. If you create new accounts with the same name and email, that information will be indexed again. The goal is to keep your footprint small, not to achieve permanent removal.