You cannot delete a search result that Google has already indexed, but you can remove it from appearing under your own name
Google does not let you delete a search result from its index just because you want it gone. If a webpage exists and Google has found it, the search result stays in Google's system. What you can do is ask Google to stop showing that result when someone searches for your name, or you can remove the webpage itself from the internet — which then causes Google to drop it from search results over time.
The path you take depends on what you are trying to remove. If the page is yours — a blog post, social media account, or old website — you delete the page itself. If the page belongs to someone else but shows up when people search your name, you can request that Google hide it from results tied to your identity. If the page contains false information about you, you have additional options through Google's removal tools.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a webpage from its original location causes Google to remove it from search results within days or weeks, but you must have access to that website or account.
- Google's "Remove outdated content" tool speeds up deletion when you own the page, but it does not work for pages you do not control.
- You can request that Google hide search results from appearing under your name through the "About you" removal tool, even if you do not own the page.
- False information about you — like incorrect contact details or false accusations — can be reported to Google for review and potential removal.
- Removal requests take time; Google may take days or weeks to process them, and some requests are denied.
Deleting a page you own removes it from Google search results
If the search result points to a page you created — a blog post, a photo on your personal website, an old social media account — the fastest way to remove it from Google is to delete the page itself. Once the page no longer exists, Google's automated systems will notice and drop it from search results. This usually happens within a few days to a few weeks, depending on how often Google checks that website.
To delete a page you own, log into the website or service where it lives. On a personal blog or website, find the post or page in your admin panel and delete it. On social media, find the post and use the delete or remove option. On a photo site like Flickr or Imgur, delete the image. Once the page is gone from the live internet, Google will eventually find that it no longer exists and remove the search result.
If you want Google to notice faster, use Google Search Console (a free tool at search.google.com/search-console). Sign in with the Google account associated with your website, find the URL you want removed, and click "Remove." Google will hide that result from search for about six months while the page is deleted. After you have deleted the page itself, Google will keep it out of results permanently.
Use Google's removal tool for outdated content you no longer control
Sometimes a page you created still exists online but you no longer have access to it — an old blog on a platform you abandoned, a social media post on an account you cannot log into, or a page on a website you no longer own. In these cases, you cannot delete the page directly, but you can ask Google to remove the search result.
Go to Google's "Remove outdated content" tool at google.com/webmasters/tools/remove-outdated-content. Paste the full URL of the page you want removed. Google will ask you to verify that you are the owner or creator — usually by signing in with a Google account or by proving you control the domain. If Google confirms you have a legitimate reason to remove it, the search result will be hidden from Google Search within a few days.
This tool works best for pages that are truly gone or inaccessible. If the page still exists and is live on the internet, Google may deny the request, because the page is still publicly available. In that case, your only option is to contact the website owner or the platform and ask them to delete it.
Request removal of search results tied to your name
If a search result appears when someone searches your name, but you do not own or control the page, you can ask Google to stop showing it in results for your name specifically. This is different from removing the page from Google entirely — the page stays in Google's index and appears in other searches, but it will not show up when people search for you.
Go to Google's "About you" removal tool at google.com/webmasters/tools/removals. Select "Remove information about you" and describe what you want removed. You can request removal of results that show your personal contact information (phone number, address, email), your financial information, or your ID numbers. Google will review the request and may hide the result from searches for your name.
This tool also covers results that contain false information about you — like a page claiming you committed a crime you did not commit, or listing an old address as your current one. Google reviews these requests and may remove them if the information is demonstrably false and causes harm. The process takes time, and Google does not always approve requests.
Report false or defamatory information for Google review
If a search result contains information that is false and damages your reputation, you can report it to Google for manual review. This is not an automatic removal — a person at Google will look at your request and decide whether the content violates their policies.
Go to google.com/webmasters/tools/removals and select "Remove information about you." Describe the false information and explain why it is inaccurate. Provide evidence if possible — a court document, a correction from the original source, or documentation that the claim is false. Google will review your request, but approval is not may provide. Google is more likely to remove results that contain provably false personal information (like an incorrect address listed as yours) than results that are opinions or disputed claims.
If the false information is defamatory or violates another law in your country, you may also contact the website owner directly and ask them to remove it, or consult a lawyer about your options. Google removal is one path, but it is not the only one.
Contact the website owner if Google removal does not work
If Google denies your removal request or the process is taking too long, you can contact the website or blog owner directly and ask them to delete the page. Look for a contact form, email address, or "About" page on the website. Explain what you want removed and why. Many website owners will delete outdated or inaccurate information if you ask politely and provide a reason.
If the page is on a social media platform, use that platform's reporting tools. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok all have options to report content that violates their rules or contains false information about you. If the platform agrees, they will delete the post, and Google will eventually remove the search result.
If the website owner ignores your request or the page contains defamatory information, you may have legal options. In some cases, you can send a formal takedown notice or consult a lawyer. This is more expensive and time-consuming, but it is an option if the content is seriously damaging and the website owner will not cooperate.
Understand what Google will and will not remove
Google has clear rules about what it will remove from search results. Google will remove pages that no longer exist, outdated contact information, financial information you did not consent to share, and some types of false personal information. Google will not remove pages just because you dislike them, pages that contain opinions or criticism, pages that are legal and accurate, or pages that are in the public interest to keep visible.
Google also will not remove results for content that is still live on the internet and publicly available. If a page exists and is accessible, Google considers it fair game for search results, even if you do not like it. Your only recourse is to get the page deleted from its source.
Removal requests are reviewed by humans at Google, and decisions can take weeks. Some requests are denied without explanation. If your request is denied, you can appeal, but there is no may provide Google will change its decision. Patience and clear documentation of why the content should be removed improve your chances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take Google to remove a search result?
If you delete the page yourself, Google usually notices within days to a few weeks. If you use Google's removal tools, the process takes a few days to a few weeks. If you request removal of false information, Google may take several weeks to review your request. There is no may provide timeline.
Can I remove a search result if someone else owns the website?
You cannot use Google's standard removal tools, but you can request that Google hide the result from searches for your name through the "About you" tool. You can also contact the website owner and ask them to delete the page. If the page contains false information, you can report it to Google for review.
What if the website owner will not delete the page?
If the page contains false or defamatory information, you may have legal options. You can send a formal takedown notice or consult a lawyer. For other types of content, your options are limited — you can request removal from Google, but Google will not remove pages that are legal and publicly available just because you want them gone.
Does deleting my social media post remove it from Google search?
Eventually, yes. Once you delete the post, Google will stop showing it in search results within days or weeks. However, the post may remain in Google's cache or in archived versions of the internet for longer. You can use Google's removal tool to speed up the process.
Can I remove search results about someone else?
No. You can only request removal of search results about yourself. If you want to remove results about someone else, that person must make the request themselves through Google's removal tools.