You cannot remove your name from the entire internet, but you can remove it from the places where it shows up most
Your name appears online in hundreds of places you did not put it there — public records, news archives, social media, data broker sites, and search engine results. You cannot delete all of it, and you cannot force Google to forget you exist. What you can do is remove your information from the sites that collect and sell it, ask search engines to stop showing certain pages about you, and delete the accounts and posts you control directly.
The fastest results come from targeting data brokers — the companies that buy public records and sell your address, phone number, and sometimes financial details to anyone who pays. Removing yourself from three or four major brokers takes a few hours and stops the most aggressive sources. After that, you can request removal from search results and handle the accounts you own.
Key Takeaways
- Data brokers like Whitepages, BeenVerified, and Spokeo collect your personal information and make it searchable; most let you request removal directly from their websites.
- Google and Bing have removal request forms where you can ask them to stop showing specific pages about you in search results, though the original page stays online.
- You control your own social media accounts, email addresses, and online profiles — deleting these removes the information you posted yourself.
- Public records like court documents, property deeds, and arrest records cannot be removed from government databases, but you can request they be removed from data broker copies.
- Removal requests take days to weeks to process, and some sites require you to verify your identity by uploading a photo ID.
Remove yourself from the major data brokers
Data brokers are companies that collect public information and package it for sale. They buy records from government agencies, courts, and other sources, then sell access to employers, landlords, marketers, and anyone else willing to pay. Removing yourself from these sites stops the most visible and searchable copies of your personal information.
The largest data brokers include Whitepages, BeenVerified, Spokeo, MyLife, and Instant Checkmate. Each has its own removal process, but most let you request deletion through their website without paying a fee. Go to the site, search for your name, find your listing, and look for a "Remove" or "Privacy" link — usually at the bottom of your profile page or in the site's help section. You will typically need to verify your identity by uploading a photo ID or answering security questions. The removal usually takes five to ten business days.
Some data brokers make removal harder by hiding the link or requiring you to call instead of using their website. If you cannot find the removal option, search "[site name] removal request" to find instructions specific to that broker. Keep a list of which sites you have requested removal from, because you may need to repeat the process if the site re-adds your information later.
Request removal from Google and Bing search results
When you search your name, Google and Bing show links to pages that mention you. You cannot delete those pages themselves — they stay on the original websites — but you can ask the search engines to stop showing them in results. This is useful when old news articles, mugshots, or embarrassing content keeps appearing when someone searches for you.
Go to Google's removal request form at google.com/webmasters/tools/removals. Sign in with your Google account, enter the full URL of the page you want removed, and explain why. Google reviews requests for outdated information, private information, and content that violates their policies. Removal usually takes a few days. You can submit multiple requests if several pages mention you.
For Bing, use their removal tool at bing.com/webmaster/tools. The process is similar — you provide the URL and Bing reviews it. Note that removal from search results does not delete the page itself; it just stops the search engine from showing it. If you want the page actually deleted, you need to contact the website that hosts it and ask them to take it down.
Delete your own social media accounts and online profiles
Any account you created yourself — Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, Gmail, or other services — you can delete directly. This removes the information you posted and stops the platform from showing your profile in searches. Deletion is permanent and usually takes 30 days to complete, during which the account is hidden but not yet erased.
To delete an account, go to the platform's settings, find the "Delete Account" or "Deactivate Account" option, and follow the steps. Most platforms ask you to confirm your password and give you a reason for leaving. Some require you to wait a certain number of days before the deletion is final. During the waiting period, you can usually cancel and restore the account if you change your mind.
Before you delete, download your data if you want to keep copies of your photos, messages, or posts. Most major platforms offer a download option in their settings. After deletion, the account is gone, but any posts you shared that other people reposted or screenshotted will still exist on their accounts.
Contact websites directly to remove pages about you
If a website publishes information about you — a news site, a mugshot database, a review site, or a personal blog — you can contact the site's owner and ask them to remove the page. This works best for outdated information, inaccurate details, or content that violates the site's own policies.
Look for a "Contact Us" link on the website. If you cannot find one, search for the site's privacy policy or terms of service, which usually list contact information. Write a clear, specific email explaining what page you want removed and why. Be direct: "I am requesting removal of the page at [URL] because it contains outdated information about me" works better than a long explanation. Include your full name and any identifying details that help them find the right page.
Most websites do not have to remove content just because you ask, especially if it is factually accurate or newsworthy. News sites almost never remove old articles. Mugshot sites sometimes remove pages if you have been exonerated or if the arrest was expunged. Review sites may remove posts that violate their policies. Expect a response in days to weeks, and be prepared for the answer to be no.
Understand what you cannot remove
Public records — court documents, property deeds, arrest records, marriage licenses, and similar documents — are maintained by government agencies and cannot be deleted. These records are public by law, and removing them would require a court order or a specific legal process like expungement for criminal records.
However, you can request removal from data broker copies of these records. A data broker may have scraped your court record and posted it on their site; you can ask them to take down their copy even though the original government record remains. Some states also have laws that let you request removal of certain information — for example, some states allow you to remove your address from property records if you have safety concerns. Check your state's laws or contact your local courthouse to learn what options exist.
News archives are also difficult to remove. Major news outlets keep their articles online permanently, and they rarely delete them even if you ask. Some outlets will update an article to correct factual errors, but they will not remove it entirely. Older news sites and local papers are sometimes more willing to remove outdated content, but there is no may provide.
Use privacy tools to limit future exposure
After you remove your information from the major sources, you can take steps to prevent it from being collected again. Opt out of data broker lists before your information is added. Many brokers let you opt out through their websites even if you do not have a listing yet — search "[site name] opt out" to find the form.
Adjust your privacy settings on social media so your profile is not searchable by strangers. On Facebook, go to Settings > Privacy and set "Who can look you up?" to "Friends only" or "No one." On Instagram, make your account private so only followers can see your posts. On LinkedIn, adjust your public profile visibility. These settings do not remove you from search engines entirely, but they limit what strangers can see.
Be cautious about what personal information you share online going forward. The less you post publicly, the less there is to find. Avoid posting your phone number, address, or full date of birth on public profiles. Use different usernames across platforms so your accounts are harder to link together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to remove my name from search results?
Google and Bing usually process removal requests within a few days to a week. Data brokers typically take five to ten business days. Some sites may take longer or require you to verify your identity first. You can check the status of your Google removal request in the Search Console.
Do I have to pay to remove my information from data brokers?
No. Data brokers are required to offer free removal. Some offer paid "premium" removal services that claim to be faster or more thorough, but the free option works just as well. Do not pay for removal services unless you want someone else to handle the process for you.
What if a data broker re-adds my information after I remove it?
Data brokers sometimes re-add information when they update their databases. If this happens, you can request removal again. Some brokers let you set up a recurring removal request so you do not have to do it manually each time. Check the broker's settings to see if this option is available.
Can I remove my name from news articles or mugshot sites?
News sites almost never remove articles, even old ones. Mugshot sites sometimes remove listings if you have been exonerated or if your record was expunged, but they are not required to. You can ask, but expect the answer to be no. Some states have laws that let you request removal of mugshots under certain circumstances — check your state's laws.
Will removing my information from Google remove it from Bing and other search engines?
No. Each search engine has its own removal process. You need to submit separate requests to Google, Bing, and any other search engine you want to remove yourself from. Most people focus on Google and Bing because they handle the majority of searches.