How to Remove Unwanted Google Search Results

Many people seek to protect their reputations online by learning how to remove unwanted Google search results. There are many effective methods to remove or limit unwanted search results so you can take back control over your online search results.

Removing Unwanted Listings – Contact Site Owners

First, when you find an unwanted listing in Google search results, the simplest way to remove it is to have the offending content taken down at the source. Most content on the internet that appears in Google search results belongs to the site owner, and therefore, they have complete control over what content is available online.

Identify Who Owns the Site

You can identify who owns a website and reach out to them with a message requesting that they remove or edit the offending content. You can find this information using:

a) a “Contact Us” form on the website,
b) an email address listed on the website,
c) a phone number listed on the website,
d) a “Site Administrator” or “Owner” page on the website, or
e) a contact page that includes a phone number and/or mailing address.

Write Your Message

Once you’ve identified the site owner, write a simple message explaining that you would like the content removed or edited. Provide the site owner with the exact URL of the content and explain why you’d like the content removed. Mention any relevant violations of the site’s policies. Many site owners will respond to your request as soon as they understand that the content clearly violates the site’s policies and/or is easily verifiable.

It’s Not Always Easy to Get Cooperation From Site Owners

Not all site owners will be cooperative, but it never hurts to try. The worst that could happen is that the site owner doesn’t respond to your inquiry. On the other hand, if the site owner responds and removes the content, the entire page will be gone, and Google won’t be able to display the page again once it recrawls the site.

Removing Content You Own

There are times when you’ll discover unwanted search listings that were generated by things you created and then abandoned, including, but not limited to, old blog postings, social media profiles, orphaned media files, and social media postings that no longer reflect your current interests. In addition to abandoned accounts and duplicate profiles on social platforms, old social media and blog posts, and media files stored on old hosting services. Google can still crawl them and include them in search results even if you no longer update the site.

Create a List of Accounts and Pages That You Still Manage

Make a list of any accounts or pages you currently manage but haven’t used recently:

• abandoned accounts you’re no longer updating.
• duplicate social media profiles.
• outdated social media postings that no longer reflect your current values.
• old blog postings.
• orphaned media files you’ve lost track of.
• third-party platforms that still reference your name.

Go through your list and either remove the content you no longer want to appear online or edit the information that makes it unwanted. Once the content disappears from the web, Google should drop the links to the deleted/edited pages.

Use the Removal Tools Provided by Google

Google has developed two tools to allow individuals to remove specific URLs from search results. These removal tools do not remove the offending content from the web. They just stop Google from showing the content in Google search results. However, this kind of action can be enough to resolve the situation.

Google Provides Removal Tools For:

• explicit or intimate personal images.
• AI-generated or deep-fake sexual content.
• involuntary fake pornography.
• non-explicit images of minors.
• doxxing content.
• personally identifiable information (PII), such as home addresses or phone numbers.
• exploitative removal practices.

To submit a request to remove a URL from search results, open Google Search and click on the three vertical dots located next to the result you wish to remove. Then, select the “Remove This Result” option or “Report This Result.” Enter the URL of the content you want to remove and provide a reason for doing so. Sometimes you will be required to upload a screenshot of the image preview.

All removal requests are reviewed by Google’s moderation team. The amount of time it takes to receive a response varies depending on the nature of the request. Simple removal requests are typically resolved quickly, while requests that require further investigation, especially those related to sensitive topics such as privacy or safety, may take longer.

Removal requests are intended to protect against harassment and other forms of harmful exposure. If the offending content was created without your permission, submitting a removal request can be one of the most effective tools available to you.

Managing Your Online Reputation Using Official Google Tools

Google provides multiple tools to manage your online reputation and take action on unwanted content. Each tool is designed for a particular purpose, so selecting the correct tool is essential.

Some of the Most Commonly Used Tools Include

• Google’s Request Removal Form for Personal Content Policies
• Search Console for site owners who want to remove URLs they manage
• The Removals Tool for temporarily blocking outdated or sensitive content
• Forms for copyright/trademark infringement
• Forms for court orders
• Options for legal reasons under privacy laws

If you are responsible for the site where the content is hosted, use noindex tags, password-protect the page, or delete the page so Google will no longer crawl it. Google will send you a confirmation email once your request is processed.

These tools work well when used in conjunction with Google’s policies. For instance, Google will remove search results containing evidence of financial fraud, identity theft, or safety risks. Google will not remove content simply because it is unfavorable. By understanding Google’s policies, you can select the most suitable course of action.

Overcoming Negative Results With Positive Ones

Not all unwanted results qualify for removal. Many unwanted results contain lawful, public, and/or permanent content. When that occurs, your best course of action is to suppress the negative results by creating new, positive content that will push them down in search rankings.

Positive content is useful in controlling your online footprint. The goal of positive content creation is to give Google better, more desirable content to rank at the top of the search results page.

Some of the Best Ways to Create Positive Content Include

• creating authoritative pages on reputable websites.
• publishing articles on behalf of your company through reputable publishing channels.
• writing content that matches the search intent for your name and/or brand.
• linking to relevant content on your website to improve ranking potential.
• focusing on getting high-quality links rather than using link schemes.
• avoiding low-value, low-quality content that may negatively affect your overall visibility.

At NewReputation, we offer structured programs that help create a positive, robust story about you or your company. We believe in promoting positive content by creating high-quality, meaningful articles, profiles, interviews, and press coverage that present you in a positive light and replace negative views.

While it may take some time to suppress unwanted results, it is one of the most reliable long-term solutions to creating a healthy online presence that continues to develop and grow.

Tracking Results Over Time and How Long It Takes to See Results

It may take some time for search results to change following removal or suppression actions. Google has to recrawl pages, update its index, and apply the changes. The length of time this takes can depend on the type of removal request, the site involved, and the nature of the content.

Here Are Some of the Key Factors That Determine How Long It Takes for Results to Change

• The rate at which the site owner updates his/her website.
• The time it takes for Google to review removal requests.
• The level of complexity of removal requests.
• Whether new exposures or reposts of the content occur.

To stay apprised of the progress of your search results, you can visit Google’s Results About You page, which provides a listing of your personal information found in search results. To keep Google informed, add your contact information to the page so that Google can contact you if new content is added that references you.

Perform regular searches to monitor your results and check for anything new. This allows you to remain proactive and shows you which methods you’re using are producing results and whether additional measures are necessary.

Timing Is Important in Managing Your Online Reputation

Having clean search results can greatly impact the hiring process, business development, and personal relationships. Staying informed regarding your search results ensures long-term control.

Conclusion

Learning how to remove unwanted Google search results is about knowing what you can control, what you can request removal of, and what you can suppress. While some content can be removed quickly, other types of content may require a formal request to Google. And finally, some content must be suppressed in favor of more positive content.

With the right strategy and ongoing monitoring, you can protect your name, restore credibility, and build a stronger digital presence. If you require assistance in any area of the above process, NewReputation is here to help you every step of the way.