You cannot remove everything, but you can remove a lot
Getting your information off the internet is possible for some data and difficult for others. Search engines like Google will remove pages you own or control, and most major websites will delete your account and associated data if you ask. What you cannot easily remove are things other people posted about you, archived versions of old pages, and information that has been republished across many sites. The realistic goal is to reduce what shows up in search results and what companies hold in their active databases — not to erase your entire digital footprint.
The fastest results come from removing information you control directly: your own social media accounts, old blog posts, photos you uploaded, and accounts on services you no longer use. After that, you can request removal from search engines and data broker sites, which takes longer but reaches the information other people can find about you.
Key Takeaways
- Delete or deactivate your own accounts on social media, email, forums, and other services where you created a profile or posted content.
- Ask Google and Bing to remove pages from their search results using their removal tools, which works for pages you own or have permission to remove.
- Search for yourself on data broker sites like Spokeo, Whitepages, and BeenVerified, then use their removal forms to request deletion of your personal details.
- Archived versions of old web pages live on sites like the Wayback Machine; you can request removal directly from that site, though removal takes time.
- Information posted by other people — photos, comments, articles — is harder to remove and may require contacting the website or the person who posted it.
Delete accounts and content you control
Start by listing every account and website where you have a presence. This includes social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn), email accounts you no longer use, old forums or message boards where you posted, photo sites like Flickr or Photobucket, and any blogs or personal websites you created. Write them down as you remember them — you can search for more later.
For each account, look for a settings or account menu and search for "delete account" or "deactivate account". Most major platforms offer both options: deactivation hides your profile temporarily, while deletion removes it permanently after a waiting period (usually 30 days). Choose deletion if you do not plan to return. Save your important data first — photos, messages, documents — because deletion is permanent after the waiting period ends.
If a site does not offer a delete option in settings, look for a contact form or support email and send a direct request. Include your username or account email, and ask them to delete your account and all associated data. Keep a copy of your request in case you need to follow up.
Remove pages from Google and Bing search results
Search engines index billions of pages, but they will remove pages you own or have permission to remove. You do this through Google Search Console (for Google) and Bing Webmaster Tools (for Bing). Both are free and require you to verify that you own the website or have permission to manage it.
Go to Google Search Console (search.google.com/search-console) and add your website or domain. Google will ask you to verify ownership by adding a code to your site, uploading a file, or confirming your domain registrar. Once verified, use the "Removals" tool to request removal of specific pages. Google typically removes pages within a few days, though they may reappear if the page is still live on the internet and other sites link to it.
For pages you do not own — old articles about you on news sites, for example — you can still request removal if the content violates Google's policies (such as containing your private financial information or home address). Use Google's removal request form at google.com/webmasters/tools/removals. Google reviews these requests but does not always grant them.
Request removal from data broker and people-search sites
Data brokers are companies that collect and sell personal information: your name, address, phone number, email, sometimes financial or legal records. Common sites include Spokeo, Whitepages, BeenVerified, TruthFinder, and Intelius. These sites pull data from public records, social media, and other sources, then sell access to employers, landlords, and the general public.
Search for yourself on each major data broker site. Most will show a preview of what they have on file. Each site has a removal or privacy form — look for links like "Remove my information", "Privacy request", or "Opt out". Fill out the form with your name and the information you want removed. Some sites process requests immediately; others take several weeks. You may need to verify your identity by uploading a photo ID or clicking a link in an email.
This is a one-time removal for each site. If the data broker re-collects your information later (which happens when they update their databases), you may need to request removal again. Some states, including California and Virginia, have laws that require data brokers to honor removal requests, but enforcement varies.
Handle archived versions of old pages
The Wayback Machine (archive.org) is a nonprofit archive that stores snapshots of websites going back decades. If an old page about you is archived there, it will show up in search results even after you delete the original. You can request removal directly from the Wayback Machine.
Go to archive.org and search for your name or the URL of the page. If you find archived versions, click on the page and look for a "Remove from the Wayback Machine" link at the bottom. Fill out the removal form with your name and reason for removal. The Wayback Machine reviews requests and typically removes pages within a few days if they contain private information or if you can show you own the original site.
Other archive sites exist, but the Wayback Machine is the largest and most commonly indexed by search engines. Removal from there will have the biggest impact on what people find when they search for you.
Contact websites about information posted by others
Photos, comments, articles, and posts that other people created are harder to remove because you do not control them. Your options depend on what the content is and where it lives.
If the content violates the website's terms of service — for example, a photo posted without your permission, a fake account impersonating you, or harassment — report it using the site's reporting tool. Most social media platforms, forums, and news sites have a "Report" or "Flag" button. Explain why the content should be removed and provide evidence if possible. The site's moderation team will review and decide whether to take action.
If the content is legal but you want it removed anyway, contact the website directly through their support form or email. Explain who you are and why you want the content removed. Some sites will remove it as a courtesy; others will not. News organizations and blogs are less likely to remove old articles, even if they are about you, because they consider them part of the historical record.
If the content is defamatory, harassing, or contains false information that damages your reputation, you may have legal options. Consult a lawyer in your state, as laws vary. Some states have laws that require websites to remove false information about you under certain conditions.
Prevent new information from appearing
While you are removing old information, take steps to prevent new data from being collected. Adjust privacy settings on social media accounts you keep: set profiles to private, limit who can see your posts and photos, and turn off location tracking. Review privacy settings on email accounts, cloud storage, and other services you use regularly.
Be cautious about what you post online and where. Information you share publicly — even on a "private" account — can be screenshotted, shared, or archived. Data brokers also collect information from public records like property deeds, court filings, and voter registration, which you cannot remove but can sometimes request to be made private through your local government.
When you sign up for new services, read the privacy policy and opt out of data sharing if the option exists. Some companies sell your information to third parties by default; opting out prevents that. You can also use privacy-focused email services, browsers, and search engines that collect less data about you, though this does not remove information already collected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to remove information from the internet?
Removal from search engines usually takes a few days to two weeks. Data broker sites vary widely — some process requests immediately, others take 30 to 60 days. Archived pages on the Wayback Machine typically take a few days. Information posted by other people may never be fully removed if the person or website refuses your request.
Can I remove my information from public records?
Public records like property deeds, court filings, and voter registration are maintained by government agencies and are not easily removed. However, some states allow you to request that certain information be sealed or made private — for example, if you are a domestic violence survivor or have a protective order. Contact your local courthouse or election office to learn what options exist in your area.
What if a website ignores my removal request?
If a data broker or people-search site ignores your removal request, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Some states also have their own privacy laws with enforcement mechanisms. If the content is defamatory or harassing, you may have grounds for legal action, though this is expensive and time-consuming.
Will removing my information hurt my credit or background check?
No. Removing information from data broker sites does not affect your credit report, which is maintained separately by credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Background checks pull from court records and other official sources, not from data brokers. Removal from data brokers only affects what the general public can find about you online.
Do I need to pay to remove my information?
No. Google, Bing, the Wayback Machine, and most data brokers offer removal for free. Some data brokers offer paid "privacy" services that claim to remove your information faster or more thoroughly, but the free removal process works just as well — it simply takes longer. Be wary of services charging money for removal.