You Can Remove Your Personal Info from Google Search – Here's How

You have likely tried to look up your name on Google and saw more information than you thought was out there. This is a common phenomenon for many all around the world, as they are met with their phone numbers and emails at the end of search queries. No matter if it's originally located in a public record or a discarded social media profile, this information finds its way to the main search engine result pages. This happens because Google collects data from online pages and provides it in search engine results for queries regarding you. This stands as a very concerning breach of privacy that can highlight how much data brokers and pages truly store.

Luckily, the Google removal request process can help remedy these instances and keep your data off of search engine result pages. Through this request system, individuals can prevent misuse of their information and ensure only the data they want is out there. Although the process is time-consuming and tedious, it is well worth the effort. Here, we will explore exactly how to remove your personal information from Google and how you can benefit from doing so. 

What You Can Remove

It is essential to comprehend the primary types of personal information displayed in Google’s search results. This matters because you can’t simply remove all data relevant to you if you just dislike it. However, if the data poses a risk to your personal privacy and security, you easily have a case for data removal. The data Google deems worthy of removal is as follows: 

• Phone numbers
• Home addresses
• Email addresses 
• Government-issued ID numbers
• Banking details
• Login credentials
• Confidential records
• Images of signatures
• Images of documents

Aside from these specific types of information, Google allows removal requests for any data made available through doxxing. This provides a broad range of data that you can remove, significantly improving your privacy. There is a chance that data outside of these parameters may be removed. Still, it may require additional effort on your part to do so, simply because data outside of these strict parameters doesn’t have a removal guarantee.  

How to Request Removal

To start the data removal process, you have the option of choosing two different methods. The first is the manual way, where you will use Google’s official ‘’Remove Information from Google Search’’ tool. The tool guides you through a step-by-step process, where you first select the type of content you wish to remove. Here, you need to declare the relevant data you want removed and provide pages that feature your personal information. The more exact URLs and images you provide, the quicker the issue will be resolved. You should also include the exact search queries you use to find your personal information. Finally, provide screenshots as proof and sign your name and email address to submit your request.

Once the request is processed, you will receive an email notification detailing the resolution. Based on the review process conclusion, you can get an approval email, a denial email, or a partial approval. You might also receive a follow-up request where you need to provide additional information to remove your data. This can prolong the process, extending it from a couple of days to a few weeks, depending on the complexity of your case.

As you can see, this is a lengthy process, especially if you need to apply it to a wide range of data. This is where the second request removal method comes in: the use of data removal services. Through these services and their removal and scanning tools, you can automate data removal on Google and other pages. They are the simplest option that will eat up as little of your time as possible. Additionally, they are the best way to scale up data removal if you have a larger issue at hand.

Tips for Better Results

If you do opt for the manual option, there are some key tips you should keep in mind when filling out the form. First and foremost, be very specific and provide exact proof with an accurate description for each data removal request. Screenshots are your best allies as they will provide the best context for your case. Additionally, make sure to check for all relevant personal information across multiple pages. This, paired with a well-organized inbox, will help you effectively track progress and respond to follow-ups quickly. 

Just remember that even if you manually remove your personal information from Google Search, this doesn’t mean that it's wiped from the internet. This process simply renounces Google’s ability to display this information in search engine result pages. If you want to fully remove your data, you will need to contact the source and request data removal. This is an extremely tedious and time-consuming process when done manually, which is exactly where automated data removal services come back into play. Just by allowing a service to do this task for you, you can significantly reduce your digital footprint. Ultimately, both methods take time, but both strive towards the same goal; the question of which to choose comes down to how much free time you have.