What info pops up when you search your name on Google? Even if you don’t have any big secrets to worry about, it can be unsettling to find out that a quick search might reveal your address (with satellite views and street images just a click away), your contact, your job, and your birthday. Scary how anyone who can use this google basic tool can track and find You.
Google has rolled out new different features for anyone who want to take down personal info from the search results. Since Google runs the show in the search engine world and gets around 8.5 billion visits a day, this could really help keep your details away from prying eyes.
How Google Collects Your Information
Basically Google picks up info in a bunch of ways creating a mountain of data that helps shape its search results ad placements and user experiences. Here’s a more down-to-earth look at how Google collects your info:
- Search Queries: Every time you type something into Google’s search bar the engine saves that search along with details like where you are and what device you’re using. This helps deliver search results that are spot on and lets Google build profiles based on what you tend to look for.
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies: To make your experience more personal and improve ad targeting Google uses cookies which are tiny bits of data saved on your browser. These cookies keep track of how you interact with websites allowing Google to put together detailed profiles about your likes preferences and habits.
- Google Services: When you use other Google services like Gmail Google Maps or YouTube that’s when even more data piles up. For example if you frequently check certain spots on Google Maps it gives Google clues about what you value helping improve suggestions down the line.
- Device Location: A lot of the time users willingly share their location either through their device settings or while using apps like Google Maps. This location data helps personalize your experience even more from the search results that pop up to the ads you see.
What Info Can You Take Off Google?
Google has set up some ways for you to keep your info safe. For example, you can easily blur your house images on Google Maps and also choose not to share personal stuff. Plus, if you find any sensitive personal info that could really harm you, Google Search lets you ask for it to be removed. Here’s a list of things you can get taken down:
- Non-consensual explicit or intimate images (often called revenge porn).
- Fake porn where someone’s face is put onto another person’s body in a sexual way.
- Irrelevant porn that shows up when you search for your name.
- Content about you on sites that make it hard to remove stuff.
- Photos of minors.
- Private government ID numbers like your Social Security number.
- Bank account and credit card numbers.
- Images of your handwritten signature.
- Pictures of ID documents.
- Very personal official records like your medical information.
- Your personal contact info such as your home address, phone number, and email.
- Private login details.
If you find any of this on Google, you can take action to remove it.
How to delete my personal info from google search
Luckily, there are some steps you can take to manage and get rid of that info easily. Here’s a handy guide to help you find every details of yours available on engine and google search results that are a problem, reach out to website owners, and use Google’s tools to keep your privacy safe.
1. Find all Your info on Search Results
The first thing you need to do to handle your digital footprint is to figure out what info needs to go. This might seem like a lot to tackle, but breaking it down into smaller steps makes it easier:
- Check Out the Results About You Page:
- Start by heading to Google’s “Results About You” page. This is where you can find out what personal data Google shows. Just log into your Google account and search for “Results about you” either in the app or your browser.
- Put in Your Info:
- Once you’re on the page, type in your name and any other details like phone numbers or email addresses. This helps Google search for your info across its indexed content.
- Take a Look at the Results:
- After your search, Google will show results with your personal info linked to your profile. As you look through them, jot down any stuff you want removed or updated. Google will point out the sources having your info, which makes it easier to take action.
2. Reach Out to the Website Owner
After you’ve got a list of URLs with your personal info, the next move is to contact the website owners:
- Find Contact Info:
- Most websites have a “Contact Us” or “About” page where you can usually find email addresses or contact forms for inquiries.
- Craft Your Message:
- When you write your message, keep it short and polite. Clearly say what info you want taken down. It can help to link the specific pages with your info. Here’s how you might structure your message:
- Subject: Removal Request for My Personal Info
- Body:
- Briefly introduce yourself.
- Mention the specific info you want removed.
- Add links to the pages where the info shows up.
- Kindly request the removal of that info.
- When you write your message, keep it short and polite. Clearly say what info you want taken down. It can help to link the specific pages with your info. Here’s how you might structure your message:
- Be Patient:
- Keep in mind that responses can vary. Some site owners might reply quickly while others could take weeks—or maybe not respond at all.
3. Leverage Google’s Removal Tools
After you’ve tackled the steps above, it’s time to use Google’s tools to further protect your personal info:
- Submit a Removal Request:
- Start by checking out Google’s removal request page. This link will help you: https://support.google.com/websearch/troubleshooter/9112906
- Follow the steps to enter the specific URLs of pages with your personal info. If there’s a link showing your old address, just paste that URL into the request form.
- Fill Out the Forms:
- Make sure you’re detailed and accurate when filling out the removal request form. Double-check that your name matches what’s on the website listings.
- Confirmation:
- After you submit your request, watch your email for confirmation notifications. Google usually sends updates about how your request is going, which can be super reassuring.
- Follow Up Regularly:
- Every so often, check back on search results for your name to make sure your info isn’t showing up anymore. You might also need to start the removal process again for other sites since new info can pop up over time.
Dealing with Data Brokers and People Search Sites
As the internet gets more connected, worries about online privacy are growing. One big player in this scene is data brokers, which are companies that gather and sell info about people. These brokers usually pull data from public records, social media, and other sources to create detailed profiles that can include sensitive information. It’s super important to understand how these sites work and what you can do to keep your information private.
The Hidden World of Data Brokers
So what do data brokers actually collect? They put together all kinds of info, like:
- Full Names: They use names to track folks through different databases.
- Home Addresses: A lot of brokers sell your address to marketing companies.
- Contact Info: This includes your phone numbers and email addresses.
- Employment History: They look at public job records and social media for this.
- Background Info: This comes from court records and other public documents.
These profiles can lead to unwanted ads and make you more vulnerable to identity theft. So if you want to keep your info safe, it’s key to get yourself off these lists. Just a heads-up though, the process can be a bit of a hassle and might take some persistence.
Opting Out of Data Broker Websites
Getting rid of your info starts with knowing how to opt-out from these sites. Here’s a simple guide to help you with this important process.
Step 1: Identify the Data Brokers
Kick things off by figuring out which data broker sites might have your info. Some of the more common public data broker sites are:
- BeenVerified
- Whitepages
- Intelius
- Spokeo
- PeopleFinders
To find out more, you can quickly search for your name on Google along with phrases like “data broker” or “people finder.” This should give you a list of sites where your info could show up.
Step 2: Start an Opt-Out Request
Once you know where your data is hanging out, you’ll want to head to each site’s opt-out section. Here’s a basic process you can follow:
- Find the Opt-Out Link:
- Each data broker has its own way of handling opt-out requests. Usually, you can spot a link titled “Opt-Out,” “Remove My Info,” or “Privacy Policy” at the bottom of the website.
- Provide Necessary Information:
- Be ready to share some personal info, which often includes:
- Full name
- Previous addresses
- Current address
- Email and phone numbers
- Some sites may want you to confirm your identity through an email or a phone call.
- Be ready to share some personal info, which often includes:
Getting through this process will not only help you take back control of your info but also give you peace of mind in today’s digital world. Don’t get discouraged if it takes a little time; your privacy is worth it!
Conclusion
So here’s the deal: these steps let you take stuff down from Google Search results and brokers site but might not wipe your personal info off the internet entirely or remove it from the website it’s on. That info will still be out there on other search engines too.
If you really want to get your info off a specific website, your best bet is to reach out to the webmaster. Just look for a “Contact Us” link or an email address on that website’s homepage. You can also check out Whois.com to find out who owns that site or to get in touch with their hosting company, which is usually listed there.
For extra help on getting your data completely wiped out from the Internet check the resources:
