What you can actually remove, and what you cannot
You cannot delete information from the internet entirely. Once something is posted, copied, or indexed, it exists in too many places — search engines, archives, cached versions, other people's screenshots — for you to erase it all. What you can do is remove it from the places you control, make it harder to find, and in some cases force major platforms to stop showing it in search results.
The realistic goal is reducing how easily someone can find your information, not making it vanish. A person determined enough can still dig it up. But most casual searches will turn up less, and the effort required to find old posts, photos, or data about you goes up significantly.
What you control: your own social media accounts, websites you own, photos you posted, comments you made. What you do not control: screenshots other people took, articles written about you, public records, information sold by data brokers, or copies archived by the Internet Archive or Google's cache.
Key Takeaways
- Delete or deactivate your own social media accounts, but know that deleted posts may still exist in archives and screenshots for months or years.
- Contact websites directly to request removal of your personal information — many will comply if you prove you own the account or have a legal reason.
- Use Google's removal tool to stop your information from appearing in Google search results, though it will still exist elsewhere on the internet.
- Data brokers collect and sell your personal information; you can request removal from individual brokers, but new data is constantly added.
- Public records like court documents, property ownership, and arrest records cannot be removed but may be searchable through fewer channels if you request delisting.
Remove content from social media and websites you own
Start with the accounts and pages you control. Delete old posts, photos, and comments from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, or any other platform where you have an account. On most platforms, you can delete individual posts or delete your entire account. Deleting your account usually removes your profile and public posts within days, though the platform may keep a backup copy for a set period — often 30 to 90 days — in case you change your mind.
If you own a website or blog, delete or unpublish pages that contain personal information you no longer want public. If you have a Google Business profile, you can edit or remove it. If you have accounts on forums, dating sites, or other platforms you no longer use, delete those too. The longer an account sits inactive, the more likely it is to be hacked or used by someone else.
Understand that deletion is not when ready across the internet. Search engines take time to re-index pages and remove old results. The Internet Archive (archive.org) may still have snapshots of deleted pages. Other websites may have copied your content. But removing it from the source stops new copies from being made and prevents the original platform from serving it to new visitors.
Request removal from Google Search and other search engines
Google Search Console has a removal tool that stops your information from appearing in Google search results. Go to google.com/webmasters, sign in with your Google account, and select your website or property. Under "Removals", you can request that a URL be removed from Google's index. Google usually processes these requests within days.
This does not delete the page from the internet — it only tells Google to stop showing it in search results. The page still exists on its original website. If someone goes directly to that website or searches on Bing or another search engine, they can still find it. But most people use Google, so removing it from Google search results makes the information much harder to find by accident.
For information about you on websites you do not own — old news articles, social media posts you cannot delete, data broker listings — contact the website directly and ask for removal. Many websites will remove personal information if you explain why and prove you are who you say you are. Some have formal removal request forms. Others require an email to a support address. Start with the website's privacy policy or contact page to find the right process.
Deal with data brokers and people search sites
Data brokers are companies that collect personal information from public records, social media, purchase history, and other sources, then sell that information to other businesses. Common data brokers include Spokeo, BeenVerified, Whitepages, PeopleFinder, and Intelius. These sites often list your name, address, phone number, email, and sometimes family members or past addresses.
You can request removal from individual data brokers, but the process is slow and must be repeated. Most brokers have an "opt out" or "remove my information" link on their website, usually at the bottom of the page. Click it, enter your information, and follow their process. Some require you to verify your identity by email or phone. Expect removal to take two to four weeks, and expect your information to reappear in a few months when the broker updates its database with new public records.
Because data brokers constantly add new information, removal is not permanent. You can request removal again when your information reappears. Some people use removal services like DeleteMe or Reputation.com that handle this process for you, but these services cost money and are not necessary — you can do it yourself by visiting each broker's website.
Handle public records and news articles
Court records, property ownership, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, and arrest records are public by law. You cannot delete them. However, you can request that search engines stop indexing them, which makes them harder to find through Google but does not remove them from the courthouse or government database.
Contact Google using the removal tool mentioned above and request that specific URLs to public records be delisted from search results. Explain why if you can — for example, if the record is outdated or if you have had the charge expunged or dismissed. Google does not always grant these requests, but it considers them on a case-by-case basis.
For news articles about you, contact the news organization directly. Reputable news outlets rarely delete articles, but some will update them with new information or add context if circumstances have changed. Local news websites are more likely to consider removal requests than major national outlets. Be specific about what you want changed and why.
Protect your information going forward
Removing old information is one step. Preventing new information from being posted is another. Use privacy settings on social media to limit who can see your posts and tag you in photos. Do not post your phone number, address, or full date of birth on public profiles. Be cautious about what you share in comments or forums, because those posts are often permanent and searchable.
When you sign up for new accounts, use a separate email address if possible, and use a fake name or nickname when the site allows it. The less personal information tied to your online accounts, the less there is to remove later. If you do post something you later regret, delete it quickly — the longer it stays up, the more likely it is to be copied or archived.
Consider setting up a Google Alert for your name. This sends you an email whenever Google finds new pages mentioning you, so you can catch unwanted information early and request removal before it spreads.
What to do if your information was shared without permission
If someone posted intimate photos of you, shared your personal information to harass you, or created fake accounts in your name, the removal process is more urgent. Contact the platform when ready and report the content as harassment, impersonation, or non-consensual intimate imagery. Most platforms have policies against these things and will remove the content if you report it.
If the harassment continues or the content is not removed, contact local law enforcement. Many jurisdictions have laws against revenge porn, cyberstalking, and identity theft. Keep screenshots of the content and the date it was posted, because the original may be deleted.
For identity theft — where someone is using your name or information to open accounts or commit fraud — contact the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. They provide a recovery plan and can help you dispute fraudulent accounts and credit reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting my social media account remove all my posts from the internet?
Deleting your account removes your posts from that platform, but copies may exist elsewhere. Other people may have screenshotted your posts, shared them, or saved them. The Internet Archive may have snapshots. Deleting your account stops new copies from being made, but does not erase old ones that already exist.
How long does it take for Google to remove something from search results?
Google usually processes removal requests within a few days to a week. However, if the page is still live on the original website, Google may re-index it and show it in results again. Permanent removal requires either deleting the page itself or using the removal tool repeatedly.
Can I remove my information from the Internet Archive?
Yes. Go to archive.org, find the snapshot of the page you want removed, and click the "Remove from the Wayback Machine" link. The Internet Archive will remove that specific snapshot. You can also submit a removal request through their contact form if you cannot find the snapshot.
Do data broker removal services actually work?
They work temporarily. Services like DeleteMe remove your information from major data brokers, but your information reappears when brokers update their databases with new public records. You would need to use the service continuously or manually request removal every few months to keep your information off these sites.
What if a website refuses to remove my information?
If the information is false and damaging, you may have a legal claim for defamation. If it violates your privacy or is non-consensual intimate imagery, many jurisdictions have specific laws. Consult a lawyer in your area. For most other situations, your options are limited to requesting removal again, asking Google to delist it, or accepting that the information exists online.