You can ask Google to remove a link, but the page itself stays on the internet
When you search Google, you are searching Google's index — a copy of web pages Google has visited and stored. Removing a link from Google search results does not delete the page from the internet or from the website that hosts it. It only removes Google's copy from their index, so the page will not show up when someone searches Google for it.
Google offers two main paths: you can ask Google to remove the link yourself using their removal tool, or you can ask the website owner to remove or change the page. Which one works depends on why you want it gone and whether you control the website.
Key Takeaways
- Google's removal tool works fastest for outdated information, but only hides the link from Google search — the page itself stays online.
- If you own the website, you can remove the page directly or use Google Search Console to request removal.
- If someone else owns the website, you can ask them to remove or change the page, or file a removal request with Google if the content violates their policies.
- Removal requests for sensitive personal information (like your home address or phone number) are processed faster than requests for other content.
- Even after removal, the page may reappear in search results if Google crawls it again and finds it still exists.
Removing a link when you own the website
If the page is on your own website, the fastest method is to delete or unpublish the page directly. Once the page no longer exists, Google will eventually remove it from search results on its own — usually within a few days to a few weeks, depending on how often Google crawls your site.
To speed this up, use Google Search Console (the free tool Google provides to website owners). Sign in with the Google account associated with your website, find the URL removal tool, and request removal. Google will typically remove the link within 24 hours. The page will stay on your website, but Google will stop showing it in search results.
If you want to keep the page but change what Google shows about it in search results, you can edit the page's title and description (called the meta description). Google will update its index the next time it crawls your site, usually within a few days.
Removing a link when someone else owns the website
If the page is on someone else's website, you have two options: contact the website owner and ask them to remove it, or file a removal request with Google.
Contacting the owner directly is often faster. Look for a contact form or email address on the website. Explain what page you want removed and why. Many website owners will remove outdated or incorrect information if you ask politely. If the page contains false information about you, include that detail — most people will take it down rather than deal with a dispute.
If you cannot reach the owner or they refuse, you can file a removal request with Google. Go to Google's removal request page and enter the full URL. Google will ask why you want it removed. Your request is more likely to be approved if the content violates Google's policies — for example, if it contains your personal information (like your home address, phone number, or financial account details) posted without your permission, or if it is a fake nude image or deepfake of you.
Removal requests for personal information
Google processes removal requests faster if the page contains sensitive personal information about you. This includes your home address, personal phone number, personal email address, financial account numbers, or government ID numbers.
When you file the request, be specific about which information on the page is yours and why it should not be public. Google will review it and usually respond within a few days. If approved, the link will be removed from search results, though the page itself will still exist on the website.
If the page contains information that is both personal and false — for example, a fake address listed as yours — mention that it is false in your request. This strengthens your case.
What happens after you request removal
Once Google removes a link, it stays removed as long as the page does not reappear in Google's index. If the website owner updates or republishes the page, Google may crawl it again and add it back to search results.
If you requested removal through Google Search Console (because you own the site), the removal is temporary — it lasts about 90 days. After that, if the page still exists, Google may index it again. To keep it out of search results permanently, delete the page or add a robots.txt file to tell Google not to crawl it.
If you requested removal through Google's removal tool (because someone else owns the site), the removal also lasts about 90 days. If the page is still online after that, you may need to file another request.
When removal requests are denied
Google denies removal requests if the content does not violate their policies. This includes outdated information that is still technically true, unflattering reviews or opinions about you, old news articles, or pages that rank high in search results but you straightforward do not want public.
If your request is denied, your options are limited. You can ask the website owner to remove the page voluntarily. You can also try to improve your search results by creating new content about yourself that ranks higher — for example, a professional website or social media profile. Over time, older pages may drop lower in search rankings as newer content takes their place.
If the content is false and damaging to your reputation, you may have legal options depending on where you live and what the page says. This is separate from Google removal and would involve contacting a lawyer or the website owner directly.
The difference between removal and de-indexing
Removal and de-indexing are related but slightly different. De-indexing means Google stops showing the page in search results, but the page still exists on the internet. Removal usually refers to the same thing — the page is no longer in Google's index.
Neither one deletes the page from the website. If someone has the direct link to the page, they can still visit it. If they use a different search engine (like Bing or DuckDuckGo), they may still find it. De-indexing only affects Google search.
If you want the page completely gone from the internet, you need the website owner to delete it. If you own the website, delete the page yourself. If someone else owns it, you have to ask them or pursue legal action if the content is illegal or violates their terms of service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take Google to remove a link?
If you use Google Search Console and own the website, removal usually happens within 24 hours. If you file a removal request through Google's tool, it typically takes a few days to a week. Removal requests for personal information are processed faster than other types.
Can I remove a link if I do not own the website?
You can request removal from Google, but approval depends on why you want it removed. Google is more likely to approve requests for personal information, false content, or pages that violate their policies. For other content, your best option is to contact the website owner directly and ask them to remove it.
Will the page disappear from the internet if I remove it from Google?
No. Removing a link from Google search only hides it from Google's index. The page stays on the website where it is hosted. Anyone with the direct link can still visit it, and other search engines may still show it in their results.
What if the page reappears in Google search after I removed it?
This happens if the page still exists on the website and Google crawls it again. If you own the site, delete the page permanently or add a robots.txt file to block Google from crawling it. If someone else owns the site, you can file another removal request or contact the owner and ask them to delete the page.
Can I remove old news articles about me from Google?
Google does not remove news articles just because they are old or unflattering. News is considered public information. Your best option is to contact the news organization and ask if they will update or remove the article, though they are not required to. You can also try to improve your search results by creating new content that ranks higher.