How to Remove Search Results About You From Google

How to remove search results about you from Google

Customer Success Manager

CEO & Co-Founder

You can ask Google to remove links that show your personal information by finding those links, collecting their exact URLs and submitting them through Google's official reporting form (one form for EU citizens, another for everyone else). Most links are removed in about 13 days, though it can take anywhere from 4 days to 8 weeks.

Key takeaways

Google has one removal route for EU citizens (Right to be forgotten) and a separate content removal form for everyone else.
Search several variations of your name, such as with a middle initial, your address or your city, to find every result.
Google processes removal requests per URL, not per website, so submit each link separately.
Most links are removed within about 13 days, though some take 4 days and others up to 8 weeks.
Content of public interest, such as official records or business details, usually stays up even if it names you.

Below: which form to use, how to find and submit the right links, what happens next, and what Google will and won't remove.

Which Google removal form should you use?

Google has different reporting tools depending on where you're located.

If you are an EU citizen

Use the Google legal removal troubleshooter. Once there, follow these steps to reach the right form:

Select Google Search

Google's removal form: choosing Google Search as the product where the content appears — Start by picking Google Search as the place the content appears.

Select product

Choosing Google Search as the product the removal request relates to

Select "Legal Reasons"

Choosing Legal Reasons as the reason to report content, with Google's note about sharing requests with Lumen — Google notes here that it may share requests with Lumen.

Select "Personal Data / Privacy"

Choosing Personal Data / Privacy as the legal reason for the request

Select "Right to be forgotten"

Choosing Right to be forgotten, the EU data protection option for delisting results about you — Right to be forgotten is the EU data protection option for delisting results about you.

Select "Create Request"

The Create Request button that submits the removal request

This takes you to the removal request form.

If you are a citizen outside the EU

Use Google's content removal form and fill it out directly.

Google's form for reporting personal content in Google Search, with the reason and country fields — Outside the EU, you choose the reason and your country on this form.

How to find and submit the right links

Step 1: Search for your name on Google

Go to www.google.com and search for your full name. To find every relevant result, try several variations: your full legal name, your name with a middle name or initial, your name with your home address, and your name with the city or town you live in. The goal is to find every result that shows your personal information.

Step 2: Pick out the unwanted links

Go through each result carefully and make sure it actually refers to you, not someone with a similar name. Focus only on links that clearly show your personal information, such as your address, phone number, email or other identifying details. If you find several links from the same website, treat each one separately: Google processes removal requests per URL, not per website.

Step 3: Collect and save the links

Open each relevant result and copy the full URL from your browser's address bar. Paste every link into one document, such as a Google Doc or a Word file. Having them all in one place before you submit helps you avoid duplicates and makes sure you don't miss anything.

Step 4: Submit your removal request

Go back to the Google form you picked earlier (EU or non-EU). Paste in the links you collected, add the required details and submit the request.

Google reviews each link individually and decides whether it qualifies for removal under its policies.

How long does Google take to remove search results?

Once your request is sent, Google starts reviewing the links. In most cases, links are removed within about 13 days. Some go in as few as 4 days, while others take up to 8 weeks, depending on the type of content and Google's review process.

You don't need to follow up with Google unless a long time has passed without any update.

What can and can't be removed from Google search?

Not every link qualifies. Knowing what does helps you set the right expectations before you submit.

Usually removable	Usually not removable
Content showing your home address	Links that don't actually refer to you
Your full name combined with other personal details	Links to your own social media accounts
Photos of you	Content about public figures or matters of public interest
Personal information in forum posts or discussion threads	Business or corporate information where public access is legally required
News articles about you, if not considered of public interest	Official records

Table: What Google typically will and won't remove

A note on public interest

Information considered relevant to the general public, such as official records, business details or matters of broader social importance, is usually not eligible for removal, even if it includes your name or other personal details. In those cases, the content has to stay accessible under the applicable laws and Google's policies.

This guide covers doing it yourself. If you'd rather have it handled for you, Serus monitors where your personal information appears and manages removals, including getting results about you removed from Google search.