You cannot delete yourself from the internet completely, but you can remove most of the information about you that appears in search results and data broker sites

The internet does not forget on its own. Once your name, address, phone number, or email appears online — whether you put it there or someone else did — it can be copied, indexed by search engines, and sold by data brokers. You cannot erase all of it, but you can remove the most visible and accessible pieces: your profiles on social media and other sites you control, your listings on data broker websites, and your appearance in search engine results.

The process takes time and involves multiple steps because there is no single "delete me" button. You will be removing yourself from different types of sites — ones you created accounts on, ones that collect and sell your information, and search engines that index everything. Each requires a different approach.

Key Takeaways

  • Delete or deactivate accounts you created on social media, email, shopping sites, and forums — these are the easiest to remove because you control them.
  • Submit removal requests to data brokers like Whitepages, BeenVerified, and Spokeo, which collect and sell your personal information; this process repeats every few months as new data is added.
  • Request removal from Google Search and Bing by using their removal tools, which stops your information from appearing in search results even if it still exists elsewhere online.
  • Opt out of people search sites and background check services, which often require you to prove your identity before they will remove your listing.
  • Your information will reappear over time as data brokers collect it again, so plan to repeat these steps periodically.

Delete accounts you created and control

Start with the easiest removals: accounts on sites where you signed up yourself. This includes social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn), email accounts, shopping accounts (Amazon, eBay), forums, dating apps, and any other service with a login. These are the most visible sources of your information because search engines index them and people can find them directly.

For each account, look for a "Delete Account" or "Close Account" option in settings. The location varies by site. On Facebook, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Deactivation and Deletion. On Google, visit myaccount.google.com and select "Delete your account and data" in the left menu. On Twitter, go to Settings and Privacy > Account > Deactivate Your Account. Most sites will ask you to confirm your password and may give you a window (usually 30 days) to change your mind before permanent deletion.

Some sites offer "deactivation" instead of deletion — your account becomes invisible but your data remains on their servers. If you want complete removal, look specifically for a delete or close option. Check the site's privacy policy or help section if you cannot find it; some bury the option intentionally.

Remove yourself from data broker and people search sites

Data brokers are companies that collect your personal information from public records, online sources, and other data brokers, then sell it to marketers, employers, landlords, and anyone else willing to pay. Common data brokers include Whitepages, BeenVerified, Spokeo, Intelius, PeopleFinder, and Instant Checkmate. Your information on these sites is often the most visible in search results because they are designed to be searchable.

Each data broker has its own removal process. Most require you to visit their site, search for yourself, and click a "Remove" or "Opt Out" link on your listing. Some ask you to verify your identity by confirming your address or answering security questions. A few require you to submit a removal request through email or a form. There is no central database — you must contact each site individually.

Start with the largest ones: Whitepages (whitepages.com), BeenVerified (beenverified.com), Spokeo (spokeo.com), and Intelius (intelius.com). Search for yourself on each site, find your listing, and follow their removal instructions. Keep a list of which sites you have contacted and when, because new data is added constantly and your information will reappear after several months. You will need to repeat this process periodically.

Some data brokers make removal difficult on purpose — they may require you to mail a notarized letter or call a phone number that is hard to find. If a site makes removal unreasonably difficult, you can report it to your state's attorney general or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Request removal from Google Search and Bing

Even after you delete your accounts and remove yourself from data brokers, search engines may still have cached copies of your information. Google Search and Bing both allow you to request removal of specific pages or information from their search results.

For Google, use the Remove Outdated Content tool at google.com/webmasters/tools/removals. You can request removal of a specific URL (like your old Facebook profile page) or ask Google to remove a page that no longer exists. Google will remove it from search results within a few days, though the page itself may still exist on the original website.

For Bing, use the Bing Webmaster Tools at bing.com/webmasters. Sign in, select your site, and go to Crawl Control > Remove URL. You can request removal of specific pages the same way.

These tools work best for pages that no longer exist or that you own. If your information appears on someone else's website (like a news article or public record), removing it from search results does not delete the original page — it just makes it harder to find through Google or Bing.

Opt out of background check and people search services

Background check companies like GoodHire, Checkr, and Clarity Services collect your information and sell reports to employers, landlords, and other organizations. These are different from data brokers because they focus on employment and rental screening. Many allow you to opt out, but the process varies.

Search for your name on the major background check sites' consumer portals. GoodHire has a consumer portal at consumer.goodhire.com where you can dispute or remove your information. Checkr's consumer portal is at checkr.com/consumer. Clarity Services operates through multiple brands; check their website for removal instructions.

Some background check companies require you to submit a removal request in writing or by phone. Look for a "Consumer Rights" or "Dispute" section on their website. You may need to provide proof of identity, such as a copy of your driver's license.

Handle information on public records and news sites

Some of your information comes from public records — court documents, property records, marriage licenses, business filings — that are legally required to be public. You cannot remove this information from government databases, but you can request removal from sites that republish it.

If your information appears on a news website, contact the publication directly and ask them to remove or redact it. Most news sites will not remove articles, but they may remove your phone number or address if you explain a safety concern. If the article is old and no longer relevant, some publications will update it to remove outdated contact information.

For court records and other legal documents, removal is usually not possible because they are part of the public record. However, some states allow you to petition the court to seal certain records (like juvenile cases or dismissed charges). Contact your local court clerk or a lawyer in your state to learn what is available.

Protect yourself going forward

Removing yourself from the internet is not a one-time task. Data brokers continuously collect new information, people create new accounts in your name, and search engines index new pages. To stay ahead of this, check yourself on data broker sites every three to six months and submit removal requests again when your information reappears.

Going forward, be selective about where you create accounts and what information you share. Use a separate email address for shopping and services you do not want tied to your main identity. Consider using a virtual phone number (like Google Voice) for signups instead of your real number. When you do create accounts, use the privacy settings to limit who can see your information.

If you are concerned about a specific threat — stalking, harassment, or identity theft — removal alone may not be enough. Contact local law enforcement and consider working with a lawyer or a privacy service that can take more aggressive action on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing myself from Google Search remove me from the internet entirely?

No. Removing yourself from Google Search only stops your information from appearing in Google's search results. The original pages and websites still exist, and other search engines like Bing or DuckDuckGo may still index them. You need to remove yourself from the actual websites and data brokers to reduce your overall online presence.

How long does it take to remove myself from data brokers?

Most data brokers process removal requests within one to two weeks. Some are faster; a few take longer. After removal, your information will reappear as the data broker collects new data, usually within two to six months. You will need to repeat the removal process periodically.

Can I remove myself from public records?

You cannot remove information from government databases like court records or property records because they are legally required to be public. However, you can request removal from websites that republish these records, and in some cases you can petition a court to seal certain records (like juvenile cases). Contact your local court or a lawyer for options specific to your situation.

What if a data broker will not remove me?

If a data broker refuses to remove your information or makes the process unreasonably difficult, you can 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 within a specific timeframe.

Do I need to pay a service to remove myself from the internet?

No. All removal processes — deleting accounts, requesting removal from data brokers, and submitting removal requests to search engines — are free. Services that charge money to remove you from the internet are offering to do work you can do yourself at no cost. Some may be legitimate, but they are not necessary.