Fix Unwanted Google Search Results Quickly

Do you have negative results appearing at the top of a Google search for your name? 

Removing these undesirable listings can be a difficult and time-consuming process, but with these seven tips, you can clear up unwanted search results from Google quickly and effectively.

Why Unwanted Search Results Matter

When someone Googles your name or business, the first page of results matters. If negative links show up, people may assume the worst. Studies show that most people don’t go past the first page. That means any damaging content on page one can have a long-lasting impact.

Common unwanted search results include:

• Negative news articles

• Bad reviews

• Personal data leaks

• Outdated or misleading information

• Court records and legal issues

• Embarrassing social media posts

These results can be frustrating, but you don’t have to live with them.

Contacting Website Owners

If unwanted content about you appears on a website, the first step is to reach out to the site owner. Many websites have a contact page or an email address listed, making it easy to send a removal request. If this information isn’t available, tools like DomainTools or a WHOIS search can help find the owner’s details—unless WHOIS privacy settings are enabled.

When writing your request, be polite and clear. Explain why the content should be removed. If it includes doxxing content, personal details, or violates ADA compliance rules, mention that. Websites running on platforms like a WordPress site may have admin contacts listed within their settings. If the content infringes on copyright laws, filing a copyright infringement complaint can help.

Some sites use exploitative removal practices, charging fees to take content down. Be cautious of these tactics. If a site refuses to cooperate, you can ask search engines to de-index the page using a no-index tag, robots.txt, or a metatag update. Google also offers removal tools for cases involving personal data leaks or harmful content.

Submitting Legal Removal Requests

If harmful or illegal content appears in Google search results, you may be able to get it removed by submitting a legal removal request. Google follows strict guidelines when it comes to removing content, so your request must be based on valid legal grounds.

One common reason for removal is copyright infringement under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). If someone has published your work without permission, you can file a DMCA takedown notice to request its removal. Providing copyright certificates or proof of ownership strengthens your case.

If content is defamatory, contains doxxing information, or is linked to identity theft, you may need a court order to prove it violates your legal rights. This is especially relevant for privacy infringement cases, where sensitive personal data has been exposed online. Some countries also recognize the right to be forgotten, allowing individuals to request the removal of outdated or irrelevant information.

Google also allows requests for intellectual property rights violations. If someone is using your trademarked content without permission, you can submit a complaint to have it taken down. In cases where Google has already removed content but the link still appears, you may need to request an update to Google caching to clear the outdated information.

Submitting a legal request involves filling out Google’s official form and providing supporting evidence. While some requests are processed quickly, others may take time, especially if legal verification is required. If your request is denied, seeking professional legal help can improve your chances of success.

Using Google's Removals Tool

If you want to remove an unwanted search result, Google's Removals Tool can help. This tool allows individuals to request the removal of specific content from search engine results pages (SERPs). However, not all requests are approved, and the process depends on the type of content.

You can submit a removal request form through Google's feedback submission system for personal information like your phone number or home address. If the page has been deleted but still appears in search, the URL removal tool can speed up its disappearance. Depending on the situation, there are options for both temporary and permanent removal.

Website owners have additional control. If you own the site containing unwanted content, you can remove it faster by blocking Google from indexing it. Methods include adding a no-index tag, updating the robots.txt file, or using Google Search Console for de-indexing. If you don’t own the site, you may need to contact the webmaster first.

To use Google’s tool, you must go through ownership verification if you’re requesting changes to a site you control. Without this, Google can’t process the request. The removal request form guides you through the process, ensuring only eligible content gets removed. If you need urgent action, a temporary removal hides the result while Google reviews the case.

While Google’s Removals Tool is useful, it doesn’t delete content from the internet. If the original webpage remains online, search engines may still find it later. The best way to manage your reputation is to combine removals with SEO strategies that push unwanted results further down in search rankings.Google will take action for results that violate their guidelines. When you do a Google name search, look for results that display sensitive information in their description. 

• Click the 3 dots near the search results.

• Select “Remove Result”

• Choose which personal information the website is displaying. (I.E. Phone Number)

Google will then investigate the webpage for personal information that violates their guidelines. This is a quick and easy way to clean up your search results. Once you have completed the removal process, you should start removing the rest of your personal information from the internet.

NewReputation scans and removes your exposed personal information from over 100 data brokers across the web. To opt out quickly and receive monthly reporting, call 855-750-0583.

File a Detailed Report With Google

Some search results will require some additional information and context for Google to understand why they should remove the page from their results. You will need to provide as much information as possible including screenshots and a detailed explanation of why the result should be removed and Google will investigate the content.

Keep in mind that this step should only be taken after you try to contact the webmaster. Google support will recommend that you try to contact the webmaster first and have exhausted all options before asking them to remove the result.

Managing Content You Control

If unwanted search results are coming from your own social media accounts, personal websites, or blogs, you have more control over the situation. The first step is to remove or update any content that could be harming your online image. Delete old posts, edit personal information, and ensure that your social media privacy settings are locked down. If the content is hosted on your own website, you can remove the unwanted web pages through your content management system.

For faster removal from Google, use Google’s online forms to request deindexing of pages you’ve deleted. This stops them from appearing in search results. If the content is on a site you don’t control but still impacts you, contact the webmaster and ask if they can take it down. If removal isn’t possible, focus on suppression strategies by publishing quality content that pushes negative results down. This could mean updating your website, sharing positive stories, or optimizing your social media accounts.

If you need expert help, an online reputation management company can handle the removal of search results and improve your overall content strategy. Taking control of your online presence is a long-term effort, but with the right steps, you can build a strong, positive digital footprint.

Delete outdated content that’s ranking high in search results.

Find out which websites are hosting outdated content and ask them to take it down. If they're not willing to do so, delete your profile or account from their website, as this will bring that page down.  

Also, you can use the robots.txt tag in your website’s coding to tell Google specifically not to index pages on certain topics. This will make sure that those targeted pages don’t appear in search results.

Burying Negative Content

If you can’t remove a negative search result, the best way to handle it is by pushing it down in Google rankings. This is done by creating and promoting positive content that outranks the unwanted result. Search engines prioritize fresh, high-quality content, so a strong positive content campaign can make a big difference.

Start by building a personal website or a business page with useful and relevant information. A well-optimized site with quality content helps improve your search engine ranking and gives you more control over what people see when they search for you. Consistent updates through blog posts, articles, and case studies can keep your site active and relevant.

Engaging in content promotion is essential. Share your new content across social media platforms and optimize your profiles with professional information. Social media optimization improves visibility, helping your positive content appear higher in search results.

Another effective strategy is guest posting on reputable websites. Writing articles for established blogs in your industry allows you to build credibility and earn valuable backlinks—a key part of strong SEO strategies. Google sees backlinks from trusted sites as a sign of authority, which helps boost your content's ranking.

If a page you control contains sensitive or outdated content, using a noindex meta tag prevents Google from displaying it in search results. This technical fix tells search engines to ignore certain pages, helping you manage your online reputation more effectively.

Burying negative content takes time, but you can regain control of your online presence with consistent effort and the right approach.

Hiring an Online Reputation Management Service

Dealing with negative search results can be stressful and overwhelming. If damaging content is affecting your personal or professional image, hiring an online reputation management (ORM) service can help. These services use SEO (search engine optimization) techniques to push negative results down in search rankings while promoting positive content.

ORM services offer more than just content creation. They provide crisis management support when false information, defamation, or libel threatens your reputation. Professionals in this field use customized strategies tailored to your situation, whether it’s responding to bad reviews, removing outdated information, or publishing guest posts on authoritative sites to build credibility.

A good ORM service will also monitor your online presence, tracking any new mentions of your name or business to prevent future issues. Ethical firms prioritize transparency in operations, ensuring that all tactics align with legal and industry standards. The right approach can restore your reputation and help maintain a strong, professional image online.

To receive a free proposal to get rid of unwanted search results from Google, contact NewReputation today.