Permanently deleting your personal information (name, photo, address, phone number etc.) from Google search results can be a challenging task because it involves thorough understanding of Google policies and procedures for content removal, as well as, following multiple steps to ensure successful removals.
Often times, if you simply contact Google to delete your information without understanding Google’s policies, your removal request will most certainly be denied.
In this blog post, we’re going to try to simplify the entire Google policies and steps for content removals. Whether the content can be found through typical Web Search or through any of Google products such as Google Docs, Drive, Blogger, Google Maps, Google Images etc.). This means, your journey to get Google to delete your personal information will be positive and successful.
Whilst trying to remove your details from Google. Always keep records of any interactions (date time, copy of letters sent, copy of emails sent, name of person you’ve contacted or interacted with, screenshots of any images, or any other relavant information).
Let’s Break Down Removal of Personal Information Process
Video Tutorial Showing How-to Remove Your Personal Info from Google Using The NEW Results About You Tool
Video Tutorial Showing How-to Remove Personal Information from Google Search
EU Citizen?
If you are a citizen of any European Union country, then, first thing to do before contacting Google, or using your Right to Be Forgotten option by filling Personal Data Removal Request Form, contact the website owner and get them to remove your details first. Simply (and kindly) email them about your wishes to remove your details from their website.
Websites rely on Google search engine for their own survival in todays’ internet world. This means, your request to get rid of your personal information from their website by highlighting your right to be forgotten option Google allows EU citizens, will almost certainly make the website owner take action.
Citizens of an European Union country contacting the website owner first, will ensure quicker deletion of your personal information such as your name or photo. Because once the website owner removes your details from their website, it will also be removed from Google search engine results too.
When a website owner deletes your details from their website, you will also see Google search engine results reflect this change usually within couple of weeks as Google automatically will update its own database.
Video Tutorial Showing Basic Steps for Contacting Website Owner
EU Citizen Already Contacted the Website Owner?
Simply head out to Personal Data Removal Request Form and fill in your details.
Video Tutorial Showing How-to Remove Personal Info from Google – European Union EU Citizens Right to be Forgotten
When Your Details are on a Specific Google Product/s?
Anytime your personal details are on a Google Product, then, there is no website owner to contact right? Let’s imagine someone published your personal details on Google Docs, Sheets, Slides & Forms and made them available to general public. In this case, you’ll need to Report Content On Google.
When the information you want removed is on any Google Product. Google LLC has the responsibility to remove your info when the content doesn’t adhere to governing law/s, OR, it doesn’t adhere to Google policies.
Video Tutorial Showing How-to Remove Your Personal Information from a Particular Google Product
How-to Remove Your Information from Google Web Search
By now, you should have understood that Google web search is a GOOGLE PRODUCT. This means, when your personal info can be found through Google web search engine search results. You have many options to remove your details.
When Your Details are on a Website Not Owned by Google
- Contact the website owner
- Understand Personal Content and Product Policies, and Removal Requirements
- Thoroughly read through Overall content policies for Google Search
- Read through your rights to Report Content On Google for Legal Reasons
- Fill out a submission form for Personal Content Removal from Google Search
When Your Details are on a Product Owned by Google
- Understand Overall content policies for Google Search
- Read through your rights to Report Content On Google for Legal Reasons
- Fill out a submission form for Form to Fill Out for personal content removal from Google Search
How-to Remove Your Name from Google Search
Visit Report Content On Google section and select Google Search and then other appropriate settings. For example:
How-to Remove an Image from Google Search
Visit Report Content On Google section and select Google Search and then other appropriate options. For example:
How-to Remove Mugshot Photo from Google Search
Often times, local news outlets report crime on their website that may include your name, or even an embrassing mug shot photo. In such cases, understand this “as far as Google is concerned, person who took the photograph holds the copyright of that photo”. This means, do not submit your request claiming Intellectual Rights.
If you’ve been found guilty (or not) and have served your sentence in full. Why should previous conviction still haunt your life? As we’ve said before, if you are an EU Citizen, then, you can use Right to Be Forgotten option. Or, you can get a court order or even claim Defamation. Simply visit Report Content On Google section and select Google Search and then other appropriate options. For example:
What Happens After You Submit Your Content Removal Request to Google?
You will receive a confirmation email for your submission. Once Google support team review your request. Google support team will either approve your application, or, they will deny your request.
What Can I Do If My Request is Denied?
You can always resubmit your request. Should you do, then, ensure that you thoroughly understand Google policies and procedures as well as Google policies. It is also advisable to seek assistance from a legal lawyer.
Important Factors to Know Before Submitting Your Removal Request
- Google LLC is a business.
- Google has many different products (such as Web Search Engine, Google Drive, Google Photos etc.)
- Each Google Product has different policies, guidelines and Terms of Use.
- Google as a business follows the governing law.
Knowing the above facts. You begin your removal attempt by familiarizing yourself with a particular Google Product your personal details can be found at. For example: if your details are on some external website that is not owned by Google you’ll need to be familiar with Content policies for Google Search. Google removes content from search results that violates Google product and or content policies. For example:
Google might remove certain personal information that creates significant risks of identity theft, financial fraud, or other specific harms, which include, but aren’t limited to, doxxing content, explicit personal images, and involuntary fake pornography. Learn how to remove your personal information from Google.
Content Removal Options Outside of Google Search
What if your personal details are coming from some external website, e.g. Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook or others. Then, what you need to do is seek help from the platform outside of Google’s control. For example: Facebook may remove the post or a photo when it doesn’t meet Facebook Community Standards. Simply visit Facebook Help section to explore your options.
What Other Options are There?
You can maintain a positive information campaign. This means, when someone searches for your “Name Surname” or “Name Surname (Location)” Google will show them positive results about you. How do you do that? Simply plan your approach and create a content strategy (article, images, pdfs (or even videos)), then, it is just matter of publishing the positive content about you on various websites and social media platform.
Did you know that search engines arenot as smart as people think? This means, as far as Google is concerned “John Specialist Smith” are just 3 words in English made up of UTF-8 Characters.
