You cannot remove everything, but you can remove a lot
Your personal information is scattered across the internet in places you control and places you do not. You can delete accounts, request removal from search results, and contact websites directly to take down your data. You cannot force every website to comply, and some information — like old news articles or public records — may stay online indefinitely. The realistic goal is to reduce what appears in a quick search and remove your data from the sites that matter most to you.
The process takes time and involves different steps depending on where your information lives. Start with the sites you use regularly, then move to data brokers and search engines, then handle anything that still bothers you. Most people find that after a few hours of work, their online footprint shrinks noticeably.
Key Takeaways
- Delete or deactivate accounts on social media, email, and other services where you have posted personal details, since this removes the source of the information.
- Contact data brokers — companies that collect and sell your personal information — and request removal, though some charge fees and others may not comply.
- Use Google's removal tool to request that search results linking to your information be taken down, though the original page may still exist elsewhere.
- For information on news sites or public records, contact the website directly and explain why you want it removed; they may or may not honor the request.
- Removal is an ongoing task — new copies of your information appear over time, so you may need to repeat these steps periodically.
Delete or deactivate your social media and email accounts
The easiest information to remove is information you posted yourself. Start by going through your accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and any other platform where you have shared photos, location data, phone numbers, or personal details. You have two options: delete individual posts or delete the entire account.
Deleting individual posts removes them from public view immediately, but it takes time if you have years of content. Deleting your entire account is faster, though most platforms keep your data for 30 days in case you change your mind. After that period, they typically delete it permanently. If you want to keep the account but make it private, change your privacy settings so only people you approve can see your posts.
For email accounts you no longer use, delete them through the account settings. Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo all have account deletion options. Deleting an email account removes your address from their servers and stops new mail from arriving, though it does not remove emails you sent to other people or messages others sent you.
Request removal from data brokers
Data brokers are companies that collect personal information from public records, social media, and other sources, then sell it to marketers, landlords, employers, and others. Common data brokers include Spokeo, BeenVerified, Whitepages, and PeopleFinder. These sites often display your name, address, phone number, age, and sometimes family members' names.
Most data brokers have an opt-out or removal process on their website. Look for a link labeled "Remove my information," "Privacy," or "Opt out." You will usually need to enter your name and confirm your identity by clicking a link in an email they send you. Some brokers make this easy; others bury the link or require you to pay a fee. A few do not offer removal at all.
Keep a list of which brokers you contact and when, since new data brokers appear regularly and old ones may re-list your information after you remove it. You may need to repeat this process every six months to a year. If a broker refuses to remove your information or charges an unreasonable fee, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, though they cannot force removal on your behalf.
Request removal from Google Search and other search engines
Google Search shows links to pages containing your personal information. You cannot remove the original pages, but you can ask Google to stop showing them in search results. Use Google's removal tool at google.com/webmasters/tools/removals. You will need a Google account and the exact URL of the page you want removed.
Google typically processes removal requests within a few days. The link will disappear from Google Search, but the page itself stays on the original website. If someone visits that website directly, they will still see your information. This tool works best for outdated pages, embarrassing photos, or information you want hidden from casual searches.
Bing, Yahoo, and other search engines have their own removal processes. Bing has a removal tool at bing.com/webmaster/tools. Most search engines follow similar rules: they will remove links to pages that violate their policies (like pages with your financial information or passwords), but they will not remove links to pages that are simply unflattering or personal.
Contact websites directly to request removal
If your information appears on a news site, blog, forum, or other website you do not control, you can contact the site owner or administrator and ask them to remove it. Look for a "Contact Us" link, an email address, or a contact form. Explain what information you want removed and why — for example, "This article contains my home address and I have privacy concerns" or "This forum post has my phone number and I did not consent to it being posted."
Website owners are not legally required to remove your information unless it violates their policies or the law. News organizations especially are unlikely to remove published articles, even if they contain personal details about you. However, many smaller websites and forums will remove information if you ask politely and explain the harm it causes.
If a website refuses and the information is defamatory, harassing, or violates your privacy in a way that breaks the law in your state, you may have legal options. Consult a lawyer before pursuing this route, as it can be expensive and time-consuming. For most people, moving on is more practical than fighting every instance of personal information online.
Handle public records and background check sites
Public records — birth certificates, marriage licenses, property ownership, court documents — are maintained by government agencies and are legally available to the public. Websites like Zillow, county assessor sites, and court record databases display this information. You cannot remove public records from government databases, but you can sometimes remove them from third-party websites that republish them.
Contact the website hosting the public record and ask them to remove it. Some will comply; others will not. If the information is inaccurate, you can contact the government agency that issued the record and request a correction, though this process is slow and may not work if the information is technically correct.
Background check sites like Instant Checkmate and MyLife often allow you to remove or hide your information through their opt-out process. Look for a "Remove my information" or "Privacy" link on the site. Some charge a fee; others do it for free. Like data brokers, these sites may re-list your information later, so check back periodically.
Reduce your footprint going forward
After you have removed information from existing sites, you can slow down how much new information appears online. Use privacy settings on social media to limit who sees your posts. Avoid posting your phone number, address, or full date of birth publicly. Use a separate email address for online shopping and signups so your primary email does not get added to marketing lists.
When you sign up for websites or services, read the privacy policy to see how they use your data. Many sites sell your information to data brokers or use it for marketing. Opting out of data sharing during signup can prevent your information from spreading as widely. Some services offer paid privacy options that keep your data private; others do not.
Be cautious about what you share in comments, forums, and review sites. Information you post publicly can be screenshotted, archived, or republished by data brokers. If you are concerned about your privacy, use a pseudonym or nickname instead of your real name when posting online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to remove my information from the internet?
Removing information from sites you control — your own accounts — takes a few hours to a few days. Requesting removal from data brokers and search engines takes one to four weeks. Removal from news sites and public record databases can take much longer or may never happen. Most people see a noticeable reduction in their online footprint within one to two months of starting the process.
Will my information come back after I remove it?
Yes, data brokers and search engines may re-list your information over time as they collect new data. You may need to repeat removal requests every six months to a year. Information on social media can reappear if someone else shares old screenshots or posts. Removal is not a one-time fix but an ongoing maintenance task.
Can I remove my information from Google completely?
No. Google's removal tool only removes links from Google Search results; it does not delete the original pages or prevent them from being indexed again later. To truly remove information, you need to delete it from the source — the website where it originally appeared. If you do not control that website, you cannot may provide permanent removal.
What if a website refuses to remove my information?
If the information is inaccurate, defamatory, or violates your privacy rights under your state's laws, you may have legal options. Most states have laws protecting against harassment, identity theft, or non-consensual sharing of intimate images. Contact a lawyer to understand your rights. For other types of information, you may have no legal recourse, and removal depends on the website owner's willingness to help.
Do I need to pay to remove my information?
Some data brokers and background check sites charge fees to remove your information, while others do it for free. You should never have to pay to remove your information from legitimate sites — if a site demands payment, it may be a scam. Government agencies do not charge to remove public records, though they may charge to correct inaccurate information.