You cannot delete everything about you from the internet, but you can remove a lot

Complete removal is impossible — once something is published, copies exist on backup servers, archived websites, and in people's screenshots. But you can delete information from the places where strangers find it most easily: search engine results, data broker directories, and social media profiles you no longer use.

The realistic goal is to reduce what appears when someone searches your name, to remove your details from commercial data sites that sell your information, and to control what you post going forward. This takes time across multiple sites, but each step is straightforward.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Search Console lets you request removal of specific pages from Google search results, though the page itself stays on the original website.
  • Data brokers like Spokeo, Whitepages, and PeopleFinder maintain searchable directories of your address, phone number, and sometimes family members — most let you request removal directly from their websites.
  • Deleting old social media accounts, email addresses, and accounts on sites you no longer use removes the pages that show up highest in searches for your name.
  • Opting out of data collection on Google, Meta, and other ad networks reduces how much new information gets gathered about you going forward.

Remove yourself from Google search results

When you search your own name, the results come from Google's index of publicly available pages. You cannot delete the original pages, but you can ask Google to stop showing them in search results.

Go to Google Search Console (google.com/webmasters/tools/home), sign in with your Google account, and add your website or the domain where your information appears. If you do not own the site — for example, if your information is on an old social media profile or a data broker site — you cannot use Search Console directly. Instead, use the removal request tool at google.com/webmasters/tools/removals. Enter the exact URL of the page you want removed and select "Temporarily remove from Google search." Google will stop showing that page in results for about six months; after that, it may reappear if the page is still online.

This works best for pages you control or pages that have been deleted. For pages that still exist on other sites, the removal is temporary. If you want permanent removal, you need to contact the website owner and ask them to delete the page itself.

Request removal from data broker and people search sites

Data brokers collect your address, phone number, email, and sometimes family relationships, then sell access to this information through searchable websites. The major ones include Spokeo, Whitepages, BeenVerified, PeopleFinder, and Instant Checkmate. Most have an opt-out process, though you usually have to do it on each site separately.

Start by searching your name on each site to see what information they hold. Then look for an "opt out," "remove my information," or "privacy" link — usually at the bottom of the page. Some sites require you to verify your identity by answering security questions or confirming your address. A few, like Spokeo and Whitepages, let you submit a removal request online; others may ask you to email or mail a request with a copy of your ID.

Keep a list of which sites you have contacted and when, because removals sometimes take weeks and you may need to follow up. Some data brokers reappear your information after a period of time, so you may need to repeat the process annually.

Delete or deactivate old social media and email accounts

Old profiles on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or other platforms often rank high in search results for your name. If you no longer use an account, deleting it removes that page from search results entirely.

The difference between deactivation and deletion matters. Deactivating hides your profile temporarily — you can reactivate it later, but the page is not searchable. Deleting permanently removes the account and all its content after a waiting period (usually 30 days on Facebook and Instagram, during which you can cancel the deletion). After the waiting period, the account cannot be recovered.

For each account you want to remove, find the settings menu, look for "Delete Account" or "Permanently Delete," and follow the steps. If you have old email addresses you no longer use, consider deleting those accounts too — they often appear in search results and can be used to find other information about you.

Remove your information from background check and court record sites

Websites that aggregate public records — like mugshots, court filings, property records, and bankruptcy information — are harder to remove from because the information comes from government databases. However, many of these sites have removal processes.

Search for your name on sites like BestPeopleSearch, MyLife, and Intelius. If your information appears, look for a removal request option. Some sites charge a fee (usually $20 to $50) to remove information; others do it free. A few will not remove information at all, in which case your only option is to contact the original government agency and ask them to seal or redact the record — this is possible for some types of records but not others, and varies by state and county.

Court records and property records are public by law, so you cannot remove them from government websites. But you can remove them from the private sites that republish them.

Opt out of ad targeting and data collection

While you are removing existing information, you can also reduce how much new information gets collected about you. Google Ads Settings (myaccount.google.com/ads/personalization) lets you see what topics Google thinks you are interested in based on your browsing, and turn off personalized ads. This does not stop Google from collecting data, but it stops them from using it to target ads to you.

Meta (Facebook and Instagram) has a similar tool at facebook.com/ads/preferences. You can see which advertisers have your contact information and remove yourself from their lists.

For broader opt-out, the Digital Advertising Alliance (optout.aboutads.info) and Network Advertising Initiative (optout.networkadvertising.org) let you opt out of tracking by hundreds of ad networks at once. These opt-outs use cookies, so they only work on the device and browser where you set them.

Control what you post going forward

The easiest information to remove is information you have not posted yet. Before you share anything online — a photo, your address, your phone number, your workplace — ask whether you want it searchable forever. Once it is published, assume it will be copied and shared beyond your control.

On social media, use privacy settings to limit who can see your posts. On Facebook, you can set posts to "Friends Only" or "Only Me." On Instagram, you can make your account private so only approved followers see your posts. On LinkedIn, you can control whether your profile appears in search engines. These settings do not prevent someone who knows you from taking a screenshot, but they do prevent strangers from finding the information through a search.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to remove information from search results?

Google usually processes removal requests within a few days to a week. Data brokers vary widely — some remove information within days, others take several weeks. Some sites require you to verify your identity first, which adds time. Check the site's removal policy to see their timeline.

Will removing my information from Google search results delete it from the original website?

No. Removing it from Google search results only stops Google from showing that page when someone searches. The page stays on the original website. If you want it truly deleted, you need to contact the website owner and ask them to remove the page.

Do I have to pay to remove my information from data broker sites?

Most data brokers let you remove your information free through their opt-out process. A few charge a fee, usually $20 to $50. If a site charges, you can try contacting them to ask for a free removal, but they are not required to grant it. Some people use paid removal services that handle multiple sites at once, though you can do this yourself for free with more time.

What if a data broker keeps reappearing my information after I remove it?

Some data brokers refresh their databases regularly and may re-add your information from public records or other sources. You may need to submit removal requests again. Keep records of when you removed your information so you know when to check back.

Can I remove information from government websites like court records?

You cannot remove public court records or property records from government websites — they are public by law. But you can remove them from private sites that republish them. For some types of records, you can petition the court to seal or redact the record, but this varies by state and record type.