What you can actually remove from the internet
You cannot delete your name from the entire internet — search engines index billions of pages daily, and you do not control most of them. What you can do is remove your personal information from data broker websites, request that search engines stop showing certain pages about you, and ask websites you control to take down content.
The fastest results come from targeting data brokers directly, since they aggregate and sell your information. Search engine removal takes longer but prevents your details from appearing in Google and Bing results. Removing content from individual websites — news sites, social media, old profiles — requires contacting those sites one by one.
This guide focuses on the data broker removal process, since that is where most people see the quickest change. If you arrived here from the data broker section, you already know which sites to contact. If not, start there first to identify which brokers are listing your information.
Key Takeaways
- Data brokers like Spokeo, BeenVerified, and Whitepages let you remove your information directly through their websites, usually without paying.
- Most data brokers require you to verify your identity by email or phone before processing a removal request.
- Removal from a data broker typically takes one to four weeks, and you may need to request it again if your information reappears.
- Removing yourself from data brokers does not remove your name from Google search results, news articles, or social media — those require separate requests.
- Some data brokers make removal difficult on purpose; if a site blocks your request, you can file a complaint with your state attorney general.
Finding the removal page on each data broker site
Data brokers are required by law to offer a way to remove your information, but they bury the link intentionally. Look for a footer link labeled "Remove my information," "Privacy," "Opt out," or "Do not sell my personal information." On some sites it is under a "Contact Us" or "Help" section.
If you cannot find the link after checking the footer and main menu, try adding /remove or /optout to the end of the site's web address. For example, if the site is spokeo.com, try spokeo.com/remove. This works on many data brokers.
Once you find the removal page, the site will ask you to enter your name and sometimes your state or city. It will then show you the listing it has on file and ask you to confirm that you want it removed. Do not skip this step — you need to verify you are removing the correct person, since many people share the same name.
Verifying your identity to complete removal
After you confirm the listing, the data broker will ask you to verify that you are actually the person in the listing. This usually happens through email or phone. Some sites send a verification code to an email address; others call or text a phone number on file.
Check your email inbox and spam folder for a message from the data broker. If you do not see it within a few minutes, request that they send it again. Click the link or enter the code they provide, and the removal request will be submitted.
If the data broker has an old phone number or email address on file and you cannot receive the verification, look for an option to verify using a different method. Some sites let you upload a photo of your driver's license instead. This takes longer but works when the contact information is outdated.
What happens after you submit a removal request
Most data brokers process removal requests within one to four weeks. Some send you a confirmation email when the removal is complete; others do not. After two weeks, return to the data broker's website and search for your name again to see if the listing has disappeared.
If the listing is still there after four weeks, submit another removal request. Data brokers sometimes fail to process requests the first time, and resubmitting usually works. Keep a record of when you submitted each request in case you need to file a complaint later.
Your information may reappear on the data broker's site months or years later, especially if the broker sources data from public records or other websites. When this happens, you will need to submit a removal request again. There is no permanent solution short of changing your name or moving to a location with stronger privacy laws.
Removing yourself from Google and Bing search results
Removing your information from data brokers does not remove it from Google search results. To do that, you need to submit a separate request directly to Google and Bing.
Go to Google's removal request page (google.com/webmasters/tools/removals) and sign in with a Google account. Click "New Request" and enter the exact web address of the page you want removed — for example, the Spokeo page that shows your information. Google will remove it from search results within a few days, though the page itself will still exist on Spokeo's website.
Repeat this process with Bing at bing.com/webmaster/tools. Both search engines also have forms for requesting removal of sensitive information like financial accounts or identity documents.
Removing content from social media and other websites you control
If your personal information appears on a website or social media account that you created or control, you can delete it directly. Log into your account, find the post or profile, and use the site's delete or deactivate option.
For old social media accounts you no longer use, deactivation is usually faster than deletion. Most platforms let you deactivate an account in settings without waiting for a deletion process. The account will not appear in search results when ready, but it will be hidden from public view.
If you posted information on a forum, classifieds site, or other platform years ago and no longer have access to the account, contact the site's support team and explain that you want the post removed. Include the exact web address of the post. Response times vary widely — some sites respond within days, others take weeks or do not respond at all.
What to do if a data broker refuses to remove your information
Some data brokers make removal deliberately difficult by requiring notarized letters, refusing to accept email verification, or claiming they cannot locate your information even though it appears in their search results. If this happens, you have options.
First, try a different removal method if the site offers one. If email verification fails, request phone verification. If the site has a mailing address, send a certified letter requesting removal and keep the receipt.
If the data broker continues to refuse, file a complaint with your state attorney general's office. Most states have a consumer protection division that investigates complaints about data brokers. Include screenshots of the listing, dates you submitted removal requests, and any responses from the broker. The attorney general's office can pressure the broker to comply or pursue legal action.
You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC does not resolve individual complaints, but it tracks patterns of violations and uses them to pursue enforcement actions against repeat offenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to remove my name from data brokers?
Most data brokers process removal requests within one to four weeks. Some are faster — a few remove information within days. If your information is still visible after four weeks, submit another request, as the first one may not have been processed.
Will removing my information from data brokers remove it from Google?
No. Data brokers and search engines are separate. You must submit removal requests to Google and Bing separately using their webmaster tools. Even after removal from search results, the information will still exist on the data broker's website unless you also request removal there.
What if a data broker says they cannot find my information?
Search the data broker's site yourself using your name and confirm the listing exists before submitting a removal request. Take a screenshot showing your information. If the broker claims they cannot find it after you have shown them proof, file a complaint with your state attorney general or the Federal Trade Commission.
Can I remove my information from news websites or public records?
News websites and public records databases have different rules. You can request removal from news sites by contacting the publication directly, though they often refuse if the information is newsworthy. Public records are harder to remove — you would need to petition the government agency that maintains them, and success is rare unless the information is inaccurate.
Do I have to pay to remove my information?
No. Data brokers are required to offer free removal. If a site charges you to remove your information or claims removal is only available through a paid service, that is a violation of state law. Report it to your state attorney general.