You cannot remove all your information from the internet, but you can remove it from most places that matter
Personal information spreads across the internet through data brokers, social media, public records, and websites you've used. You cannot delete everything — some information is tied to legal records or archived by libraries — but you can remove your details from the sites where strangers find them most easily. The process is different for each type of site and takes weeks or months, not days.
Start by understanding where your information lives. Data brokers buy and sell your name, address, phone number, and sometimes financial details. Search engines index old social media posts and news articles. Websites you signed up for years ago still hold your email and password. Each requires a different removal method, and some require you to contact the site directly.
Key Takeaways
- Data brokers are companies that collect and sell your personal information; removing yourself from their sites takes the most time but affects where strangers can find you.
- Search engines like Google do not own your information but display it; you can ask Google to remove links to specific pages, though the original page stays online.
- Social media sites, email providers, and old accounts let you delete your data directly through account settings, but deletion timelines vary from immediate to several months.
- Public records like property deeds and court documents cannot be removed, but you can limit how easily they appear in search results.
- Removal is not a one-time task; new copies of your information appear over time as sites re-index or data brokers refresh their databases.
Remove yourself from data broker websites
Data brokers collect your name, address, phone number, email, and sometimes financial or health information, then sell access to this data to marketers, employers, and others. Common data brokers include Spokeo, BeenVerified, Whitepages, PeopleFinder, and Intelius. These sites make money by letting people search for you, so they do not remove information willingly.
Most data brokers have an opt-out page, though it is often buried in their footer or privacy policy. Search "[site name] remove my information" or "[site name] opt out" to find the exact link. The process usually requires you to enter your name and confirm your identity — sometimes by uploading a photo of your ID or answering security questions. Removal can take two to four weeks.
Because new data brokers appear constantly and existing ones re-collect information from public records, you will need to repeat this process periodically. Services like Incogni or DeleteMe automate this for a fee, but you can do it yourself for free by spending an hour or two per month on the major sites.
Remove links from Google Search and other search engines
Google does not own your information — it simply indexes pages that exist elsewhere on the internet. When you search for your name, Google shows links to those pages. You cannot make Google forget information, but you can ask Google to stop displaying specific links in search results.
Go to Google's removal tool at google.com/webmasters/tools/removals. Sign in with your Google account and click "New Request." Enter the exact URL of the page you want removed from search results. Google will remove the link within a few days, though the original page stays online. If the page is updated or re-indexed, the link may reappear.
For pages you own — like an old blog post or profile — you can also remove the page entirely or add code that tells search engines not to index it. For pages you do not own, the removal tool is your only option through Google. Bing has a similar tool at bing.com/webmaster/tools.
Delete old social media accounts and posts
Social media sites store years of your posts, photos, and personal details. Deleting individual posts removes them from your profile immediately, but search engines may still have cached copies. Deleting your entire account is more thorough but takes longer.
On Facebook, go to Settings > Your Facebook Information > Deactivation and Deletion. Choose "Delete Account" and confirm. Facebook deletes your profile, photos, and posts within 30 days, though some information may remain in backups. On Twitter (now X), go to Settings > Account > Deactivate Your Account. On Instagram, go to Settings > Account > Delete Account. LinkedIn, TikTok, and Snapchat have similar options in their account settings.
Before deleting, download your data if you want to keep copies of your photos or posts. Most platforms offer a download option in settings. After deletion, search engines take weeks to remove cached versions of your old posts from their results.
Remove yourself from email lists and old accounts
Websites you signed up for years ago — shopping sites, forums, newsletters, apps — still hold your email address and sometimes your name, phone, and payment information. You have two options: delete your account or unsubscribe from emails.
To delete an account, log in and look for "Account Settings" or "Privacy Settings." Most sites have a "Delete Account" or "Close Account" option. Some require you to email support. Keep the confirmation email as proof of deletion. For sites you cannot log into, search "[site name] delete account" or contact their support email listed in their privacy policy.
If you do not want to delete the account, unsubscribe from marketing emails by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email they send. This stops emails but does not remove your account or data.
Handle public records and archived pages
Public records — property deeds, court documents, business filings, marriage licenses — are maintained by government agencies and cannot be deleted. However, you can limit how easily they appear in search results. Ask Google to remove links to specific public record pages using the removal tool mentioned earlier. The page stays in the government database, but it stops appearing when someone searches your name.
Archive sites like the Wayback Machine (archive.org) store snapshots of old websites. You can ask the Wayback Machine to remove snapshots of pages you own by going to archive.org/about/exclude.php. For pages you do not own, you can request removal, though the site may decline if the content is newsworthy or historically significant.
Protect yourself going forward
Removal is temporary because new copies of your information appear constantly. Data brokers re-collect from public records. Websites you use today will store your data. Search engines re-index old pages. To slow the spread, limit what you share online: use privacy settings on social media, avoid signing up for sites you do not need, and use a separate email address for shopping and signups.
Consider using a privacy-focused email provider like ProtonMail or a temporary email service for sites you do not trust. When you do sign up, check the privacy policy to see whether the site sells your data. Some sites let you opt out of data sales through their privacy settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to remove my information from the internet?
Data brokers take two to four weeks per site. Search engines remove links within a few days. Social media deletion takes 30 days. Removal is not instant — plan for two to three months to remove yourself from the major sites. After that, new information will appear over time as sites re-index.
Can I remove my information from Google without removing it from the original website?
Yes. Google's removal tool stops the link from appearing in search results, but the original page stays online. If someone visits the site directly or searches for it on another search engine, they can still find it. To truly remove information, you need to delete it from the original source.
What if a data broker refuses to remove my information?
Document the refusal and file a complaint with your state's attorney general or the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Some states have laws requiring data brokers to honor removal requests. If you live in California, Virginia, or Colorado, you have stronger legal rights to removal.
Will removing my information affect my credit score or job prospects?
Removing yourself from data brokers does not affect your credit score — credit bureaus like Equifax and Experian are separate from people-search sites. Employers may still find you through LinkedIn or public records, but they cannot find you as easily through Spokeo or BeenVerified.
Do I need to pay a service to remove my information?
No. You can remove yourself for free by visiting each data broker's opt-out page and using Google's removal tool. It takes more time than paying a service, but the process is straightforward. Paid services like DeleteMe automate the work if you prefer not to do it yourself.