What you can actually delete from the internet
You cannot delete everything about yourself from the internet, but you can remove a lot of it. The most realistic targets are: your name and address on data broker websites, your phone number in public directories, your social media posts and photos, outdated information on business listing sites, and sometimes your appearance in search results for your own name.
What you probably cannot remove: news articles about you, court records, property records, posts other people made about you, or anything already archived by the Wayback Machine. These exist in places you do not control, and the organizations that host them have their own policies about what stays.
The process is not a one-time task. Data brokers re-collect your information regularly, so removal often needs to happen more than once. Some sites make deletion easy; others bury the option or require you to prove your identity first.
Key Takeaways
- Data brokers like Spokeo, BeenVerified, and Whitepages collect your address and phone number from public records and sell access to it; most let you request removal directly from their websites.
- Google Search can remove your phone number, email, or home address from search results if you own the website it appears on, or you can ask Google to de-list outdated information.
- Social media deletion is permanent after a delay (usually 30 days on Facebook and Instagram, immediately on Twitter/X), so download your data first if you want to keep it.
- Removal requests to data brokers and search engines work best when you have proof of identity, such as a government ID or a utility bill with your current address.
- Opting out of data collection at the source—through your phone settings, browser privacy controls, and social media privacy settings—prevents new information from being gathered in the first place.
Remove yourself from data broker websites
Data brokers are companies that collect your name, address, phone number, and sometimes email from public records, then sell access to that information. The major ones include Spokeo, BeenVerified, Whitepages, PeopleFinder, and Intelius. Most have removal pages, though they are not always easy to find.
Start by searching your name on each site to see if you appear. If you do, look for a link that says "Remove my information," "Privacy," "Opt out," or "Do not sell my personal information." On Spokeo, this is under "Privacy Center." On Whitepages, it is under "Remove yourself." On BeenVerified, search for yourself first, then click "Remove this listing" on your result.
Most brokers will ask you to confirm your identity before removing you. This usually means uploading a photo of your driver's license or passport, or sometimes a utility bill. They do this to prevent someone else from deleting your information maliciously. After you submit, removal typically takes one to two weeks, though some sites are slower.
You will likely need to repeat this process every six months to a year, because data brokers re-collect information from public records and add you back to their databases. Some people set a calendar reminder to check annually.
Remove your information from Google Search results
Google Search can remove sensitive information about you from results, but only under specific conditions. You can request removal of your phone number, email address, or home address if it appears on a website you own, or if the information is outdated and no longer accurate.
To request removal, go to Google Search Console (search.google.com/search-console), sign in with the Google account associated with the website, and click "Removals" in the left menu. Select "Temporary removals" and enter the exact URL where your information appears. Describe what information needs to be removed and why. Google will review your request, usually within a few days.
If you do not own the website where your information appears, you can still ask Google to remove it if it is outdated or if you have a legal reason (such as a court order). Use Google's removal request form at support.google.com/legal/contact/lr_removal. This process is slower and less certain to succeed.
Removing information from Google Search does not delete it from the website itself. The page still exists; Google just stops showing it in results. To actually delete the information, you need to contact the website owner and ask them to remove or edit the page.
Delete your social media accounts and posts
Deleting individual posts is straightforward on most platforms. On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X, find the post, click the menu (usually three dots), and select delete. The post disappears immediately from your profile, though it may remain in other people's screenshots or archived versions.
If you want to delete your entire account, the process varies. On Facebook, go to Settings > Your information > Deactivation and deletion, then choose "Delete account." On Instagram, go to Settings > Account > Delete account. On Twitter/X, go to Settings > Account > Deactivate your account. Most platforms give you 30 days to change your mind before permanent deletion.
Before you delete an account, download your data. Facebook and Instagram let you do this under Settings > Your information > Download your information. Twitter/X has a similar option under Settings > Your account > Download your data. This gives you a copy of your posts, photos, and messages in case you want to keep them.
Be aware that deleting your account does not remove posts other people tagged you in, photos others uploaded of you, or comments you made on other people's posts. You can untag yourself from photos and delete your own comments, but you cannot control what others post about you.
Update your information on business listing sites
Your business address, phone number, and hours appear on Google Business Profile, Yelp, Apple Maps, and similar sites if you own a business or if someone created a listing for you. You can claim and edit these listings to remove outdated information or delete them entirely.
For Google Business Profile, go to google.com/business and sign in. Search for your business name. If a listing exists, click "Manage now" and you can edit or delete it. If the listing is not yours and you want it removed, click "Does not match your business" and Google will review it.
On Yelp, search for your business, click the menu, and select "Claim this business." Once claimed, you can edit your information or request removal. On Apple Maps, you can report incorrect information through the Maps app by tapping the business, scrolling down, and selecting "Report an issue."
If you do not own a business but a listing exists under your name (sometimes created by data brokers or directory sites), you can request removal by contacting the site directly. Include your name, the URL of the listing, and a brief explanation of why it should be removed.
Stop new information from being collected
Removing information you have already shared is harder than preventing new information from being collected in the first place. Start with your phone and browser settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy and turn off location sharing for apps you do not need it for. On Android, go to Settings > Location and do the same.
In your browser, enable "Do Not Track" if available (though not all websites honor it). Better: use privacy-focused browser settings. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security and select "Incognito mode" for browsing you want to keep private. In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security and select "Strict" for tracking protection.
On social media, limit who can see your posts and profile. On Facebook, go to Settings > Privacy and change "Who can see your posts?" to "Friends only." On Instagram, go to Settings > Privacy and toggle "Private account" on. On Twitter/X, go to Settings > Privacy and safety and toggle "Protect your posts" on.
Consider opting out of data collection at the source. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and similar laws in other states let you tell companies not to sell your data. Many companies have "Do Not Sell My Personal Information" links in their privacy policies. This does not stop them from collecting data, but it can reduce how widely it is shared.
Handle information you cannot remove yourself
News articles, court records, and property records are public information that you generally cannot remove. These are maintained by news organizations, courts, and government agencies, not by data brokers or social media companies.
For news articles, you can contact the publication and ask them to remove or update the story, but they are not required to do so. Most news organizations have a corrections or feedback email listed on their website. Be specific about what is inaccurate and why.
For court records and property records, you would need a legal reason to have them sealed or removed, such as a court order or a law that allows expungement. This requires working with a lawyer and filing a formal request with the court or government agency.
If someone else posted about you and you cannot remove it, you can ask them directly to take it down. If they refuse and the content is defamatory, harassing, or violates the platform's terms of service, you can report it to the website. Most platforms have a process for reporting content about you that you did not consent to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to remove my information from search results?
Google usually processes removal requests within a few days to a week. Data brokers typically take one to two weeks. Social media deletion is immediate for posts but takes 30 days for full account deletion. Removal from other websites depends on how quickly the site owner responds to your request.
Do I have to pay to remove my information?
No. Data brokers, Google, and social media platforms all offer removal for free. If a company charges you to remove your information, it is a scam. Some paid services claim to remove your information faster, but you can do it yourself at no cost.
What if a data broker keeps adding my information back?
Data brokers re-collect information from public records, so removal is not permanent. You can request removal again, or you can opt out of data collection at the source by contacting the public records office that provided your information. Some states let you restrict how your information is shared; check your state's privacy laws.
Can I remove myself from the Wayback Machine?
Yes. Go to archive.org, search for your website, and click "About" at the top of the page. Select "Exclude from the Wayback Machine" and follow the instructions. You can also email the Wayback Machine directly at info@archive.org with a request to remove specific pages.
Will removing my information hurt my credit score?
No. Removing your information from data brokers and search results does not affect your credit. Your credit score is based on your credit history with lenders and credit bureaus, which are separate from data brokers and search engines.