Where your personal information appears online
Your personal information is scattered across the internet in places you may not have put it there yourself. Data brokers collect and sell your name, address, phone number, and sometimes financial details. Search engines cache old pages. Social media platforms store posts you deleted years ago. Websites you signed up for keep your email address. Public records — court documents, property deeds, voter registration — are digitized and searchable. Removing everything is not possible, but you can remove it from the places where it causes the most exposure.
The fastest results come from targeting data brokers first, since they are the main source of information that gets sold to marketers, scammers, and people looking to contact you. After that, you can work through search engines, social media, and old accounts. Each step takes time, but each one reduces how easily someone can find your details.
Key Takeaways
- Data brokers are the primary source of personal information online, and most have removal processes on their websites — usually a form or a phone number.
- Search engines like Google will remove old pages from their results if you ask, but the original page must be deleted first or the search engine will not remove it.
- Social media platforms let you delete posts and deactivate accounts, but archived versions may still exist elsewhere.
- Removing your information from one source does not remove it from others — you need to contact each data broker, search engine, and website separately.
- Some information, like public records, cannot be removed but can be made harder to find by removing it from data broker sites that republish it.
Removing your information from data broker websites
Data brokers buy information from public records and other sources, then sell access to it. The major ones include Spokeo, BeenVerified, Whitepages, Intelius, and PeopleFinder. Each has its own removal process, usually found on their website under "Privacy" or "Remove My Information." Some let you submit a form online. Others require you to call or send a notarized letter.
Start by searching your name on each site to see if your information appears there. If it does, look for a removal link — it is often at the bottom of the page or in a help section. Fill out the form with your name and the information you want removed. Some sites remove information within days. Others take weeks. Keep records of when you submitted each request, because you may need to follow up if nothing happens after 30 days.
If a site does not have an online removal form, call their customer service number or send a written request. Include your full name, the information you want removed, and a request to delete your profile. Some brokers require proof of identity, so be ready to provide a copy of your driver's license or a utility bill.
Removing yourself from Google search results
Google does not host your personal information — it indexes pages that other websites host. To remove something from Google's search results, the page itself must be deleted first, or you must ask Google to remove it.
If you own the website or page, delete the content and then use Google Search Console to request removal. Go to google.com/webmasters, sign in with your Google account, and select your website. Under "Removals," request that Google remove the URL. Google usually processes this within a few days.
If you do not own the page — for example, it is an old article about you on a news site or a cached version of a page you deleted — you can still ask Google to remove it. Go to google.com/webmasters/tools/removals and enter the URL. Explain why you want it removed. Google reviews these requests and may remove the page from search results, though the page itself will still exist on the original website.
For sensitive information like your home address or phone number, Google has a faster removal process. Go to google.com/webmasters/tools/removals and select "Remove information about me." You can request removal of your address, phone number, or email address from search results without waiting for the original page to be deleted.
Deleting old social media accounts and posts
Social media platforms store your posts, photos, and profile information. Deleting a post removes it from your profile, but archived versions may still exist on the Internet Archive or other backup sites. Deactivating your account hides it from view but does not always delete the data. Permanently deleting your account removes it more thoroughly, though some information may remain in backups.
On Facebook, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Scroll to "Deactivation and Deletion" and choose "Delete Account." Facebook will delete your profile, photos, and posts, though it may take up to 90 days. On Twitter, go to Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Deactivation. On Instagram, go to Settings, then Account, then Delete Account. Each platform has its own timeline for permanent deletion.
Before you delete an account, read your data if you want to keep copies of your photos or posts. Most platforms offer a read option in their settings. This way you have your own copies without the information being publicly searchable.
Removing information from old websites and accounts
You may have signed up for websites years ago and forgotten about them. Your email address, phone number, and sometimes your address are still stored there. Start by searching your email for old account confirmation messages. Look for sites you signed up for but no longer use.
Go to each website and look for an account settings or privacy page. Most sites let you delete your account or request that your information be removed. Some require you to log in first. If you cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" option to reset it, then delete your account.
If a website does not have a delete option, look for a contact form or email address and send a request to remove your information. Include your full name, the email address associated with your account, and a request to delete all your data. Keep a record of your request in case you need to follow up.
For sites that do not respond, you can try contacting them through their parent company or looking for a privacy officer's email address. Some sites are defunct or abandoned, in which case your information may eventually be removed when the site is taken down, but you cannot speed this up.
Handling public records that appear online
Public records — property deeds, court documents, voter registration, business filings — are legally required to be available to the public. You cannot remove them from government databases. However, you can remove them from data broker sites that republish them.
Search your name on data broker sites to see if they have republished your public records. If they have, use the removal process described earlier to ask them to take it down. This does not remove the information from the government source, but it makes it much harder for someone to find it through a casual search.
In some cases, you can petition a court to seal records — for example, if you were arrested but charges were dropped, or if you were a victim of a crime. This is a legal process that varies by state and requires filing paperwork with the court. Contact your local courthouse or a legal aid organization to learn whether you can seal your records.
Staying ahead of new data collection
Removing your information now does not stop it from being collected again. Data brokers and websites continuously gather new information. To reduce how much of your information ends up online, be selective about where you share it.
When you sign up for a website, use a separate email address if possible, rather than your primary one. This makes it harder for data brokers to connect all your accounts. Adjust your privacy settings on social media so that only friends can see your posts and profile information. Opt out of data collection when websites offer the option.
Check your name on data broker sites every few months. If your information reappears, submit another removal request. Some brokers reindex information periodically, so you may need to remove yourself more than once.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to remove information from data brokers?
Most data brokers remove information within 7 to 30 days of your request. Some are faster — Whitepages often removes information within a few days. Others are slower. If nothing happens after 30 days, send a follow-up request or call their customer service line. Keep records of your requests so you can prove you asked.
Will removing my information from Google search results remove it from the internet?
No. Removing it from Google search results only hides it from Google searches. The page still exists on the original website. To truly remove information, you need to delete it from the source — the website that hosts it — or contact the website owner and ask them to delete it.
Can I remove my information from public records?
You cannot remove public records from government databases, because they are legally required to be public. However, you can remove them from data broker sites that republish them. You can also petition a court to seal certain records, like arrests that were dismissed, but this requires a legal process that varies by state.
What if a website will not delete my information?
If a website ignores your removal request, try contacting them through their parent company or looking for a privacy officer's contact information. If the site is abandoned or defunct, your information may eventually be removed when the site is taken down. You can also report the site to your state's attorney general if it violates privacy laws.
Do I need to pay to remove my information?
No. Data brokers are required to remove your information for free. If a site charges you to remove your information, it is likely a scam. Use only the official removal processes on the data broker's website or call their official customer service number.