How to remove your personal information from Google search results

Google last year expanded the ways you can send removal requests for search results containing personal information. Before this change, people had to meet a very high standard to get results with sensitive data removed. Finding personal details in a Google search, like a home address or phone number, can be scary enough, but you can take steps to protect your privacy.

In addition to removing personal information, Google is considering removal requests for images of minors, as well as fake pornography and other explicit content. While removing Google Search results won’t remove web pages from the Internet, it will divert one of the biggest drivers of traffic.

However, there is no guarantee that unwanted search results will completely disappear. As a result of your request, the web page may be removed from all Google searches, only searches involving your name, or none of the above. For more information on digital disappearance and services such as Delete meCheck out WIRED’s tips on remove you from the internet.

At the time of the announcement, Michelle Chang, Google’s global search policy leader, wrote: “Open access to information is a key goal of Search, but so is empowering people with the tools they need to protect themselves. and keep your data confidential and personally identifiable. Private information.” The new procedures can protect against malicious doxxing as well as information leaks that are just implicit threats.

To start the removal process, visit the theme support pagescroll halfway down and click on the blue Start removal request button. Initially, you will be asked if you have contacted the website owners. You don’t need to do this, you can just touch No, I prefer not. When Google asks you what you want to remove, select: Personal information, such as identification numbers and private documents.

You can then specify what kind of personal information is displayed in Google Search, such as your contact information or driver’s license. These steps are for removing results from active websites only; there is a separate form to fill out for cached pages. Check the box indicating that the content is live. The next question asks if the request is about doxxing, which Google defines as “contact information shared with malicious, threatening, or harassing intent.”