What you can actually remove and what you cannot
You cannot delete your information from the entire internet — that is not technically possible. What you can do is remove it from the places where strangers most often find it: search engine results, data broker websites, and social media platforms you control. Removing information from these sources makes you significantly harder to locate without erasing your actual digital footprint.
Some information is public record and legally protected — court documents, property records, business licenses, and voter registration. Removing this requires going through the government body that holds it, and even then, many records stay searchable. Other information lives on websites you do not control, like old forum posts or news articles. You can request removal, but the website owner decides whether to delete it. The easiest removals are from platforms you own — your social media accounts, old email addresses, and accounts you created yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Data broker websites collect and sell your personal information; removing yourself from the major ones takes 15 minutes per site but must be repeated yearly.
- Google Search and Bing both have removal request tools that take information out of their search results within days, though the information stays on the original website.
- Social media accounts you created can be deleted or made private, which prevents search engines from indexing your posts and photos.
- Public records like property deeds and court documents require contacting the government agency that holds them, and removal is not always possible.
- Removing yourself from data brokers and search results is free and does not require paying any service to do it for you.
Remove yourself from data broker websites
Data brokers are companies that collect your name, address, phone number, email, and sometimes financial or health information, then sell it to marketers, landlords, employers, and others. The major ones include Spokeo, Whitepages, BeenVerified, PeopleFinder, and Intelius. These sites make money by letting people search for you, so they do not remove information voluntarily.
To remove yourself, visit each site's removal page — most have a link at the bottom labeled "Remove my information" or "Privacy." You will typically enter your name and address, then confirm removal through an email link. The process takes five to ten minutes per site. Write down which sites you used, because most data brokers re-add your information within six to twelve months as they collect new data. You will need to repeat the removal process yearly.
Some data brokers make removal deliberately difficult. If a site does not have a visible removal option, look for a "Contact Us" or "Privacy Policy" link and send an email requesting removal. Include your full name, address, and phone number so they can identify your record. Keep a copy of your request and the date you sent it.
Remove yourself from Google Search and Bing
When you search for your name, Google and Bing show links to pages that mention you. You cannot delete those pages, but you can ask Google and Bing to stop showing them in search results. This does not erase the information — it just hides it from search.
For Google, go to Google Search Console and sign in with your Google account. Click "Removals" in the left menu, then "New Request." Enter the full web address of the page you want removed. Google will remove it from search results within days, though it may reappear if the original website updates. You can request removal of individual pages or entire websites.
For Bing, visit the Bing Webmaster Tools removal page and sign in. Click "Remove URL" and enter the web address. Bing processes removals similarly to Google. If you do not have a webmaster account, you can still submit a removal request through Bing's general removal form, though it takes longer.
Delete or restrict your social media accounts
Social media posts, photos, and profile information are indexed by search engines unless you make them private. The fastest way to remove this information is to delete the account entirely. Most platforms let you read your data first if you want to keep copies.
On Facebook, go to Settings, then "Deactivation and Deletion," and choose "Delete Account." On Instagram, go to Settings, select "Account," then "Delete Account." On Twitter (now X), go to Settings, select "Account," then "Deactivate Your Account." On TikTok, go to Settings, select "Account," then "Delete Account." Each platform requires you to confirm deletion, usually within 30 days. During this waiting period, you can cancel the deletion if you change your mind.
If you want to keep your account but hide it from search, make your profile private instead. On Facebook, go to Settings and set "Who can see your posts?" to "Friends Only." On Instagram, go to Settings, select "Account," then toggle "Private Account" on. On Twitter, go to Settings, select "Privacy and Safety," then toggle "Protect Your Posts" on. Private accounts do not appear in search results.
Request removal from websites you do not control
If your information appears on a website you did not create — an old news article, a forum post, a directory listing — you can request that the website owner remove it. This is not may provide to work, because the owner decides whether to honor your request.
Find the website's contact information, usually in a "Contact Us" page or footer. Send an email to the site owner or webmaster explaining what information you want removed and why. Be specific: include the exact page address and describe what needs to be deleted. Many website owners will remove outdated or sensitive information if you ask politely. Some will not respond. A few will refuse.
If the website is a news outlet and the information is factually accurate, removal is unlikely — news organizations keep archives. If the information is inaccurate, you have a stronger case. If it is sensitive information like a home address or phone number posted without your permission, explain that in your request.
Handle public records through government agencies
Court documents, property deeds, marriage licenses, and voter registration are public records held by government agencies. These appear in search results because they are legally required to be public. Removing them requires contacting the agency that holds them, and removal is often not possible.
For court records, contact the courthouse in the county where the case was filed. For property records, contact the county assessor or recorder's office. For voter registration, contact your state's election office. Explain what record you want removed and ask what options exist. Some states allow you to request that certain information be sealed or redacted — for example, hiding your address on a property deed — but this requires a court order and usually only works for specific reasons like domestic violence or stalking.
Public records removal is slow and often unsuccessful. If removal is not possible, your next option is to make sure the information is accurate. If a court record, property record, or voter registration contains errors, you can file a correction with the agency.
What to do if removal does not work
Some information will not come off the internet no matter what you do. Old news articles, archived forum posts, and public records are designed to stay. If you cannot remove information, you can try to bury it by creating new, positive content that ranks higher in search results when someone searches your name.
Start a straightforward personal website or blog and write about your work, interests, or accomplishments. Create a LinkedIn profile with a professional summary. These new pages will rank in search results alongside the old information, pushing it down. This takes weeks or months to show results, but it is a realistic long-term strategy when removal fails.
Do not pay a service to remove your information for you. Many companies charge $50 to $300 to do what you can do free. They contact data brokers and search engines on your behalf, but the removal process is identical whether you do it or they do. The only exception is if you need legal help with public records or sealed documents — that may require a lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to remove information from Google Search?
Google usually removes pages from search results within one to three days of your request. However, if the original website updates or re-publishes the page, it may reappear in search results. You can submit removal requests again if that happens.
Will removing myself from data brokers stop telemarketers from calling?
Removing yourself from data brokers reduces how easily telemarketers can find your number, but it will not stop all calls. Your phone number is sold by many sources — cell phone carriers, warranty companies, and online retailers. Register with the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov to reduce telemarketing calls further.
Can I remove my information from Wikipedia?
Wikipedia has its own removal process. If you have a Wikipedia page about yourself, you can request deletion through Wikipedia's deletion process, though Wikipedia staff decide whether to honor it. If you straightforward appear in other people's Wikipedia pages, you can request that specific information be removed by editing the page or contacting Wikipedia editors.
What if a website refuses to remove my information?
If a website refuses removal and the information is inaccurate or sensitive, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC cannot force removal, but it investigates complaints about data brokers and websites that mishandle personal information. You can also consult a lawyer if the information violates your privacy or causes real harm.
Do I need to remove myself from all data brokers at once?
You do not need to do it all at once. Start with the major ones — Spokeo, Whitepages, BeenVerified, PeopleFinder, and Intelius — which are the most commonly used. You can remove yourself from smaller brokers later. Keep a list of which sites you have removed yourself from so you can repeat the process next year.