Getting your name off the internet takes different approaches depending on where it appears
Your name appears in multiple places online — some you control, some you don't. Search engines index it, data brokers sell it, old social media posts preserve it, and public records sites republish it. You cannot remove your name from everywhere at once, but you can remove it from the places that matter most to you, and you can make it harder to find.
The fastest results come from removing your name from data broker sites, which collect and sell personal information. The next layer is removing old posts and accounts you control. Public records — court documents, property ownership, business filings — are harder to remove because they are maintained by government agencies, not private companies. Search engines themselves do not host your information; they only link to it, so removing the source is more effective than asking Google to delist you.
Key Takeaways
- Data broker removal is the fastest way to reduce how easily your name can be found, and many brokers offer an online removal form on their site.
- Removing old social media posts, deleting unused accounts, and setting privacy settings to private reduces what search engines can index about you.
- Public records removal is difficult because government agencies maintain them, though some states allow you to request removal of certain information like domestic violence addresses.
- Search engines can remove links to specific pages if the content violates their policies or if you have a legal right to removal, but this does not delete the original source.
- Removal is ongoing — new data brokers emerge, old posts resurface, and public records stay public unless you take action with the agency that holds them.
Remove yourself from data broker and people search sites
Data brokers collect your name, address, phone number, and sometimes email from public records and other sources, then sell access to this information. Sites like Spokeo, BeenVerified, Whitepages, and Pipl are the most visible, but dozens of smaller brokers exist. Removing your name from these sites is the single fastest way to reduce how easily someone can find your personal information.
Most data brokers have an online removal form on their website. Search for the broker's name plus "remove my information" or "opt out" to find the form. You will typically need to enter your name and sometimes verify your identity by clicking a link in an email or answering security questions. The process takes minutes per site, though removal can take two to four weeks to process.
Because new data brokers appear regularly and old ones sometimes re-add information, you may need to repeat this process every few months. Some people use removal services like Incogni or DeleteMe that handle multiple brokers at once, though these charge a monthly fee. If you prefer to do it yourself, keep a spreadsheet of which sites you have contacted and when, so you know which ones to check again later.
Delete or make private your social media accounts and old posts
Social media accounts and old blog posts are indexed by search engines, so your name appears in search results alongside whatever you posted years ago. The most direct approach is to delete the account entirely. On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and most other platforms, you can deactivate or permanently delete your account through settings. Deactivation hides the account temporarily; deletion removes it permanently after a waiting period, usually 30 days.
If you want to keep the account but remove your name from search results, change your privacy settings to private or friends-only. This prevents search engines from indexing your profile and posts. You can also delete individual posts that contain sensitive information or that you simply do not want associated with your name anymore. Search your own name on Google and click the three dots next to each result to request removal of specific pages.
Older platforms you no longer use — Myspace, Friendster, Quora accounts, old forums — may still host posts with your name. Search for your username on these sites and delete the account if possible, or contact the site's support team to request removal. Some very old sites are no longer maintained and may not respond, but they are also less likely to appear in search results.
Request removal from search engines
Google, Bing, and other search engines do not host your information — they only link to it. You cannot ask them to remove your name from the internet, but you can ask them to stop linking to specific pages. This is useful if a page contains outdated information, violates your privacy, or is no longer relevant.
In Google Search Console, you can request removal of a specific URL. Go to Google Search Console, enter your website or the URL you want removed, and use the "Removals" tool. Google will delist the page from search results within days, though the page itself remains on the original website. This works best if you own the website or have permission from the owner.
If you do not own the website, you can still request removal through Google's removal request form if the content violates Google's policies — for example, if it is non-consensual intimate imagery, doxxing, or impersonation. Google reviews these requests individually and may remove the link if it meets their criteria. Bing has a similar removal tool at Bing Webmaster Tools.
Handle public records and government databases
Public records — property ownership, court documents, business filings, marriage and divorce records — are maintained by government agencies and are intentionally public. You cannot remove them entirely, but you have limited options depending on the type of record and your state.
Some states allow you to request removal of your address from certain records if you are a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or harassment. Contact your state's vital records office, court clerk, or property assessor to ask what removal options exist. A few states have laws allowing you to request that your name be removed from property records if you are a crime victim, though this is rare.
Public records sites like Zillow, Trulia, and county assessor websites republish this information. You can contact these sites directly and request removal of your address, though they may not comply if the information is part of their core database. Some sites have removal forms; others require a formal request. This is a slower process than removing yourself from data brokers, and success is not may provide.
Monitor your name and set up alerts
After you remove your information, new copies can appear as data brokers re-scrape public records or as you create new accounts. Set up a Google Alert for your name so you receive an email whenever your name appears in new search results. This helps you catch new posts or data broker listings before they spread.
Check your name on data broker sites every few months, especially if you have moved or changed your phone number. If your information reappears, submit removal requests again. Some brokers have a policy of re-listing information after a certain period, so ongoing monitoring is part of the process.
If you are concerned about a specific person finding you, consider using a different name online for new accounts, using a P.O. box instead of your home address for public registrations, and keeping social media accounts private. These steps do not remove your existing information but make it harder for someone to connect your online activity to your physical location.
Understand what you cannot remove
Some information is difficult or impossible to remove. Court records, property ownership, and business filings are maintained by government agencies and are public by design. Removing them requires going through the agency that created them, and most will not remove information simply because you ask.
Information that has been republished widely — news articles, archived pages, screenshots — is harder to control. Even if you remove the original source, copies may exist on archive sites like the Wayback Machine or on other websites that have quoted or reposted the information. You can request that the Wayback Machine remove archived versions of your pages, but you cannot remove all copies that exist elsewhere.
If your name appears in a news article, you generally cannot force removal unless the article is factually incorrect or violates the publication's own policies. Some news organizations will update or remove articles if you demonstrate they contain errors, but this is at their discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to remove my name from data broker sites?
Most data brokers process removal requests within two to four weeks. Some are faster — a few days — while others take longer. You will usually receive an email confirmation when removal is complete. Because new data brokers emerge regularly, you may need to repeat this process every few months.
Can I remove my name from Google search results?
You cannot remove your name from Google itself, but you can request removal of specific pages that link to your information. Use Google Search Console to request removal of a URL, or fill out Google's removal request form if the page violates their policies. The page remains on the original website; Google simply stops linking to it.
What if I want to remove my address from public property records?
Property records are maintained by county assessors and are public by law. You cannot remove them entirely, but some states allow removal if you are a crime victim or domestic violence survivor. Contact your county assessor or state vital records office to ask what options exist in your state.
Do data removal services like DeleteMe actually work?
Removal services handle the repetitive work of contacting data brokers for you and monitoring for re-listing. They work as well as doing it yourself, but they charge a monthly fee. If you have time, doing removal manually is free; if you prefer to outsource it, a removal service saves effort.
Will removing my information from the internet affect my credit or background checks?
Removing your name from data broker sites does not affect your credit report or background checks. Credit bureaus and background check companies maintain separate databases that are not the same as public data broker sites. Removing yourself from Spokeo or Whitepages does not change what appears on your credit report or in an employment background check.