You cannot remove everything, but you can remove a lot
Removing your information from the internet is not a single action — it is a series of removals from different places, each with its own process. Search engines like Google do not store your information; they index pages that other websites host. Social media platforms, data brokers, and public records sites each hold your data separately. You can remove posts you control, request that search engines stop showing old pages, and contact data brokers to delete records. What you cannot do is erase information that other people posted about you, information held by government agencies, or historical records that have been archived.
The most effective approach is to start with the places you control directly — your own social media accounts and email — then move to data brokers and search engine removal requests. This takes time but produces real results. Most people find that the majority of their personal information online comes from three sources: social media accounts they created, data broker sites that collect and sell information, and public records that have been digitized.
Key Takeaways
- You can delete posts and accounts you control, but this does not remove them from search results immediately — you must also request removal from Google and Bing.
- Data brokers like Spokeo, BeenVerified, and Whitepages hold your name, address, phone number, and sometimes financial information; most will remove records if you contact them directly.
- Removing information from search engines takes two to four weeks after you submit a removal request, and only works for pages that no longer exist or that you own.
- Information posted by other people, archived by libraries and news sites, and held by government agencies generally cannot be removed by you.
- Opting out of data broker sites is not permanent — your information reappears when they update their databases, so you may need to repeat the process annually.
Delete your social media accounts and old posts
Start by removing the information you posted yourself. Log into each social media account you use — Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, Nextdoor, or others — and delete posts that contain personal details like your address, phone number, workplace, or photos that reveal your location. You do not need to delete everything, only the posts that expose information you want private.
If you no longer use an account, delete it entirely rather than leaving it inactive. Each platform has a different process. On Facebook, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to find "Deactivate or Delete Account" at the bottom. On Instagram, open Settings, scroll to Account, and select "Delete Account." On Twitter, go to Settings and Privacy, then Account, then "Deactivate Your Account." Deleting an account is permanent after 30 days on most platforms, though archived versions may still exist elsewhere.
After you delete a post or account, search engines may still show it in results for weeks or months. You will need to request removal from Google and Bing separately, which is covered in a later section.
Contact data brokers and request record removal
Data brokers are companies that collect your personal information from public records, social media, and other sources, then sell access to that data. The largest ones include Spokeo, BeenVerified, Whitepages, PeopleFinder, Intelius, and Pipl. These sites display your name, address, phone number, email, sometimes family members' names, and occasionally financial or criminal information. Most data brokers will remove your record if you contact them directly, though the process varies by company.
Start by searching for your name on the major data broker sites to see which ones have your information. When you find your record, look for a "Remove My Information" or "Privacy" link — it is usually at the bottom of the page or in a menu. Click it and follow the instructions, which typically require you to verify your identity by entering your name and address or answering security questions. Some sites ask you to upload a photo of your ID. After you submit the request, most brokers remove your record within one to two weeks.
Keep a list of which sites you contacted and when. Data brokers update their databases regularly, pulling information from public records and other sources, so your information may reappear months or years later. When it does, you can contact them again. Some people set a reminder to check annually.
Request removal from Google and Bing search results
Search engines do not host your information — they find it on other websites and show links to it in results. To remove a link from Google search results, you must either delete the page on the website that hosts it, or request that Google stop showing it. You cannot remove information that still exists on the original website unless you own that website.
To request removal from Google, go to Google Search Console (search.google.com/search-console) and sign in with your Google account. Click the URL Inspection tool, paste the full web address of the page you want removed, and select "Request Indexing" — this tells Google to check the page again. If the page no longer exists, Google will remove it from results. If the page still exists but you own it, you can use the Removal Tool to request temporary removal while you edit or delete it.
For pages you do not own, you can submit a removal request through Google's form at google.com/webmasters/tools/removals. Explain why the information should be removed — for example, if it is outdated, inaccurate, or violates your privacy. Google reviews these requests but does not remove every page. Removal typically takes two to four weeks.
For Bing, go to Bing Webmaster Tools (bing.com/webmasters) and use the URL Removal Tool. The process is similar: you provide the URL and request removal. Bing processes requests within a few days to a week.
Opt out of people search sites and data aggregators
Beyond the major data brokers, dozens of smaller sites aggregate and display personal information. These include Radaris, TruthFinder, MyLife, Instant Checkmate, and many others. Each site has its own removal process. The fastest way to find the removal link is to search "[site name] remove my information" in Google — this usually takes you directly to the opt-out page.
Most sites require you to enter your name and verify your identity before removing your record. Some ask for an email address; others ask you to confirm details about yourself. A few require you to mail a notarized letter, which is slower but still possible. Keep track of which sites you have contacted, because new aggregator sites appear regularly and old ones sometimes reappear under new names.
Some sites charge a fee to remove your information, which is legal in most states. You can choose to pay or skip that site. A few states, including California and Virginia, have laws requiring data brokers to remove information for free, so if you live in those states you can refuse to pay and file a complaint with your state attorney general if the site does not comply.
Remove yourself from public records databases
Government agencies publish public records online — property records, court documents, voter registration, business licenses, and others. These records are legal to publish and you generally cannot remove them. However, you can sometimes reduce how visible they are.
For property records, contact your county assessor's office and ask whether your address can be marked as exempt from public display. Some counties allow this for privacy or safety reasons; others do not. For voter registration, contact your state election office and ask about removing your address from the public voter roll — many states allow this for people who face safety risks.
For court records, contact the court clerk in the county where the case was filed. Some courts will seal records if you request it and meet certain conditions, though this is not may provide. For mugshots and arrest records, contact the police department or sheriff's office that made the arrest and ask whether the record can be removed or if the mugshot can be taken down from their website.
Limit what new information gets posted about you
While you are removing old information, take steps to prevent new information from appearing. Adjust the privacy settings on all social media accounts so that only friends can see your posts, not the public. Remove your phone number and address from public profiles. Use privacy settings on Google to limit what information appears in your Google profile.
When you sign up for new accounts or services, use a separate email address that does not contain your full name. Avoid posting your location, workplace, or daily schedule on social media. Be cautious about which websites you give your phone number to — many sell this information to data brokers.
If you are concerned about safety or stalking, consider using a P.O. box instead of your home address when you must provide an address online. Some people use a virtual phone number service that forwards calls to their real phone but does not display their actual number.
Understand what you cannot remove
Some information cannot be removed no matter what you do. If another person posted information about you — a photo, a comment, a story — you cannot remove it unless you own the account or the website. You can ask the person to take it down, or you can report it to the platform if it violates their policies, but you have no automatic right to removal.
Historical archives maintained by libraries, news organizations, and the Internet Archive (archive.org) are generally not required to remove information. These sites preserve historical records and pages. You can request removal from the Internet Archive through their removal form, but they may decline if the content is historically significant.
Information held by government agencies — tax records, criminal history, court documents, driver's license records — is controlled by those agencies, not by you. You cannot remove it, though you may be able to seal, expunge, or restrict access to some records depending on your state's laws.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to remove information from Google?
After you request removal, Google typically processes the request within two to four weeks. If the page no longer exists on the original website, removal is faster — sometimes within days. If the page still exists, Google may deny the request. You can check the status of your request in Google Search Console.
Do I have to pay to remove my information from data brokers?
Most data brokers remove information for free if you contact them directly. Some charge a fee, which is legal in most states. If you live in California or Virginia, state law requires free removal. If a site charges and you live in those states, you can file a complaint with your state attorney general.
Will my information stay removed after I delete it?
Data brokers update their databases regularly and may re-collect your information from public records or other sources. Your information may reappear months or years later. You can contact the broker again to request removal. Some people check annually and repeat the process as needed.
Can I remove information that someone else posted about me?
You cannot remove it directly unless you own the account or website. You can ask the person to take it down, report it to the platform if it violates their policies, or contact the website owner and request removal. If the content is defamatory or violates your privacy rights, you may have legal options, though this varies by state and situation.
What should I do if my information appears on a site I have never heard of?
Search the site name plus "remove my information" to find their opt-out process. Most sites have a removal link somewhere on their site, often at the bottom of the page or in a privacy section. If you cannot find it, look for a contact form and explain that you want your information removed. Keep a record of when you contacted them.