You cannot delete yourself from the entire internet, but you can remove your information from the places that matter most
The internet does not have a delete button for you as a person. Search engines, social media platforms, and data brokers all hold pieces of your information, and each one requires a separate action. The realistic goal is not to vanish completely — that is not possible — but to remove your information from the sites where strangers can find it most easily, and to stop new information from being added.
Start with data brokers, since those are the sites designed specifically to sell your personal details. Then move to search engines, which index information that is already public. Finally, handle the accounts and posts you control directly. Each step takes time, but the work compounds: fewer sources means fewer places your information spreads to next.
Key Takeaways
- Data brokers are the fastest target because they exist only to collect and sell your information, and most have removal processes that take two to four weeks.
- Search engines like Google do not own your information but index it, so you can ask them to remove links to specific pages without deleting the pages themselves.
- Social media accounts you control are worth cleaning up because they often rank high in search results and you can delete posts or change privacy settings yourself.
- Information published by other people — news articles, court records, public databases — cannot be deleted by you, but you can ask the site hosting it to remove it in some cases.
- New information will keep appearing as long as you use email, make purchases, or interact online, so this is maintenance you repeat every year or two, not a one-time fix.
Remove yourself from data broker websites first
Data brokers are companies that collect your name, address, phone number, email, and sometimes financial or health information, then sell access to that data. They are the fastest category to remove yourself from because they have formal removal processes — many are required by law to honor removal requests.
The major data brokers include Spokeo, PeopleFinder, Whitepages, BeenVerified, and Intelius. Each has its own removal page, usually labeled "Remove My Information" or "Privacy Request." You will need to provide your name and sometimes an email address or phone number to confirm you are the person requesting removal. Most brokers process requests within 14 to 30 days, though some take longer.
Do not pay for removal services that claim to delete you from "hundreds of sites." You can contact brokers directly for free. Services that charge a monthly fee are selling you convenience, not access you cannot get yourself. If you want to use a service, research whether it actually contacts brokers or just guides you through the process you could do alone.
Request removal from Google Search and other search engines
Google Search does not host your information — it indexes pages that already exist elsewhere. When you ask Google to remove a search result, you are asking them to stop showing that link in their search results. The page itself stays on the internet; Google just stops pointing to it.
Go to Google's removal request tool at google.com/webmasters/tools/removals. You will need a Google account. Enter the full URL of the page you want removed — not just your name, but the exact web address. Google will review your request, usually within a few days. If approved, the link disappears from Google Search results within a week or two, though it may reappear if the page is updated or if Google re-indexes it later.
You can also ask the website that hosts the page to remove it entirely. If the page is on a data broker site you already requested removal from, contact their customer service and ask them to delete the page. If it is on a news site or public record database, you can request removal, though they may decline if the information is newsworthy or legally required to be public.
Bing, Yahoo, and other search engines have their own removal tools. Bing's is at bing.com/webmaster/tools. The process is similar: you provide the URL and request removal from their index.
Clean up your social media accounts and posts
Social media profiles often rank high in search results because platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn are trusted by search engines. If your profile is public, anyone searching your name will find it. Start by reviewing your privacy settings on each platform.
On Facebook, go to Settings > Privacy and change "Who can see your posts?" to "Friends Only" or "Only Me." On Instagram, go to Settings > Privacy and toggle "Private Account" on. On Twitter, go to Settings > Privacy and Safety and toggle "Protect Your Posts" on. LinkedIn defaults to a public profile; go to Settings > Visibility and change who can see your profile and activity.
Delete old posts that contain personal information — your address, phone number, workplace, or family details. Platforms have tools to bulk-delete or archive posts. On Facebook, you can use the "Manage Activity" tool to review and delete posts in batches. On Twitter, third-party tools like TweetDelete can remove old tweets automatically.
Consider whether you need the account at all. If you have not used it in years, deactivating or deleting it removes a source of information about you. Most platforms let you read your data before you delete the account, in case you want to keep photos or messages.
Handle information published by other people
News articles, court records, mugshots, public databases, and posts by other people are harder to remove because you do not control them. You have limited options here, and they depend on what the information is and who published it.
For news articles: Contact the publication and ask them to remove or update the article. They may decline if the information is accurate and newsworthy, but some will remove outdated or inaccurate details. Provide a reason — for example, if the article contains a factual error or if you are a crime victim whose name should not have been published.
For court records and mugshots: These are public by law in most places. You cannot delete them, but you can ask the court to seal the record if you were acquitted, if charges were dropped, or if you completed a diversion program. This process varies by state and requires filing a petition with the court. Some mugshot sites will remove your photo if you request it, though they may charge a fee.
For public databases and people-search sites: If the site is not a data broker, you may not have a removal right. However, you can contact the site and ask. Some will remove information if you provide proof that it is inaccurate or if you have a safety concern.
Stop new information from being added going forward
Removing your information today does not prevent new information from appearing tomorrow. Every time you use email, make a purchase, sign up for a service, or interact online, you create new data that brokers will eventually collect.
Use privacy-focused email providers like ProtonMail or Tutanota instead of Gmail or Yahoo if you are concerned about data collection. Use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to create unique, strong passwords for each account, so a breach at one site does not compromise others. Consider using a VPN when browsing, which masks your IP address from websites and internet service providers.
When you sign up for services, use a separate phone number or email address if possible. Some people create a "junk" email address specifically for signups and marketing, keeping their main email private. Opt out of data sharing in privacy settings whenever you have the option.
Set a calendar reminder to repeat this process every 12 to 24 months. Data brokers will re-collect your information over time, and new sites may appear. Regular maintenance is more realistic than a single cleanup.
What to do if a site refuses to remove your information
Some data brokers and websites will ignore removal requests or claim they cannot locate your information. If a site is covered by privacy law in your state or country, you have more leverage.
California residents can use the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) to demand removal. Send a formal written request stating that you are exercising your right to deletion under the CCPA. Include your name, address, and email. Most companies will respond within 45 days. Other states including Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah have similar laws.
European residents can use the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to request deletion. Send a written request to the company's data protection officer or privacy contact, stating that you are exercising your right to erasure. Companies must respond within 30 days.
If a site ignores a legal request, you can file a complaint with your state's attorney general or, in Europe, with your data protection authority. These agencies can investigate and fine companies that violate privacy law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay someone to delete me from the internet?
Services that charge monthly fees to remove your information exist, but they do not do anything you cannot do yourself for free. They contact data brokers on your behalf and monitor for new information, which saves time but costs money. If you have the time, contacting brokers directly is free. If you do not, a service may be worth the cost — just research the company first and read reviews.
Will removing myself from Google Search remove me from the internet?
No. Removing a link from Google Search only stops Google from showing that link. The page still exists on the internet, and other search engines may still index it. You would need to ask the website that hosts the page to delete it entirely, or use legal requests if the site refuses.
What if I find information about me that is false?
Contact the site hosting the false information and ask them to correct or remove it. Provide evidence that the information is inaccurate. If the site refuses, you may be able to file a complaint with your state's attorney general or use a privacy law request if you are in a state or country with strong privacy protections.
How long does it take to remove myself from the internet?
Data brokers typically take two to four weeks to process removal requests. Google Search results may disappear within a week or two. Cleaning up social media accounts takes a few hours depending on how much content you have. Overall, expect the initial cleanup to take a few weeks, with ongoing maintenance every year or two.
Will my information come back after I remove it?
Yes, data brokers will re-collect your information over time because you continue to generate data through email, purchases, and online activity. This is why removal is not a one-time fix. Plan to repeat the process every 12 to 24 months, or use privacy tools to limit how much new information is collected in the first place.