How to get rid of a search result on google: 3 Ultimate Ways

Reclaiming Your Digital Narrative

How to get rid of a search result on google depends on your relationship to the content and the type of information displayed. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Your Situation	Best Method	Typical Timeline
You own the website	Use Google Search Console Removals tool	1 day (temporary), permanent with page deletion
Personal contact info (address, phone, email)	Use “Results About You” tool	Days to weeks
Content deleted but still in search	Use “Remove Outdated Content” tool	24-48 hours
You don’t own the site	Contact website owner first	Varies
Legal violations (copyright, explicit content)	Submit legal removal request	Weeks or longer
Can’t remove it	Suppress with positive content (SEO strategy)	2-6 months

Seeing unwanted search results about yourself on Google can be frustrating and damaging. According to PowerReviews, nearly all customers read reviews before shopping, and 96% specifically look for negative ones. A single negative result can influence how thousands of people perceive you or your business.

Fortunately, you have options. Google provides several tools for removing specific types of content. If you control the website, you can make changes directly. For personal information, Google’s “Results About You” tool can help. When content has been deleted but still appears in search, the “Remove Outdated Content” tool can refresh Google’s index. For situations where direct removal isn’t possible, strategic suppression—pushing unwanted results to page two—is a proven alternative.

However, not all content qualifies for removal. Public interest content, accurate news articles, and information on high-authority sites often remain. Google’s policies are strict, and requests can take weeks or be denied.

I’m John DeMarchi, and I’ve spent over a decade helping CEOs and high-profile individuals manage their online reputations, including how to get rid of a search result on google through both direct removal and strategic suppression. This guide will walk you through every available path—from DIY solutions to professional strategies—so you can take back control of your digital narrative.

First, Identify the Unwanted Result and Your Relationship to It

Before you can tackle how to get rid of a search result on google, you need to understand what you’re dealing with. The most important question is: Do you own or control the website where the unwanted content appears? If yes, you have direct power. If no, you’ll need to request removal from Google or the site owner, or use suppression strategies.

Next, identify the type of content. Is it personally identifiable information (PII), defamatory content, outdated information, or a legal violation like copyright infringement? Each scenario has a different removal path, and knowing your category will save you time.

What Types of Unwanted Search Results Can Be Removed?

Google won’t remove everything you dislike, such as accurate news articles or legitimate reviews. However, they have policies to protect you from harmful content, including:

Explicit or intimate personal images: Non-consensual explicit imagery (“revenge porn”) or involuntary fake pornography will be removed.
Personally identifiable information (PII): Doxxing content like your home address, phone number, email, or financial/medical ID numbers can be removed if it poses a risk of harm.
Content on sites with exploitative removal practices: Google may remove results from sites (like some mugshot sites) that charge fees to take down your information.
Outdated content: Information that’s no longer on the original website but still appears in Google’s cache or snippets is often removable.
Copyright infringement: You can file a DMCA request to remove your copyrighted content used without permission.
Other legal violations: Content subject to court orders, trademark violations, or other breaches of law can be removed through Google’s legal request process.

Google removes content that is legally problematic, poses a safety risk, or is exploitative. They generally won’t remove content that is accurate, publicly available, or newsworthy.

Why Removing Negative Results Matters

Your online reputation is often the first impression you make. A single negative result can cost you job opportunities, clients, and credibility. Since most people seek out negative information online, unwanted search results can directly impact decisions, eroding customer trust and damaging your business.

Beyond reputation, removing negative results improves your overall SEO by allowing positive, relevant content to rank higher. For individuals, it’s a matter of personal privacy and safety, protecting you from harassment or identity theft. For businesses, a clean search presence is a competitive advantage that affects sales, partnerships, and recruitment.

This is what Digital Footprint Management is all about—actively controlling your digital narrative.

Path 1: Removing Content from a Website You Control

If you own the website where the unwanted content lives, you have the most direct path for how to get rid of a search result on google. You don’t need to ask for permission; you just need to use the right tools, with Google Search Console as your command center.

Using the Google Search Console Removals Tool for Temporary Takedowns

The Removals tool in Google Search Console is for when you need a page to disappear from Google fast. It creates a temporary block that hides a page from search results for about 180 days, with requests usually processed within a day.

This is a temporary fix. The content still exists on your site, and after 180 days, it can reappear in search results if you haven’t taken permanent action. It’s a band-aid, not a permanent solution.

To use the Removals tool, go to Google Search Console, select the “Temporary Removals” tab, and enter the exact URL you want to hide. You can choose to remove the URL entirely or just clear its cached version and snippet from search results.

How to Permanently Remove Content from Your Own Website and Google

For a permanent solution, you must take action on your website and then notify Google. Here are your options:

Delete the content entirely. If the page is unwanted, remove it from your site. If it’s just outdated, update it with correct information.
Add a noindex meta tag. To keep a page live but hidden from search, add <meta name="robots" content="noindex"> to the page’s HTML <head> section. This tells search engines not to list it.
Password-protect the page. This creates a login barrier that prevents Google from accessing and indexing the content.

After making these changes, you can wait for Google to naturally recrawl your site, or you can speed up the process. Ask Google to recrawl your URLs through Google Search Console to prompt a faster update.

For more details, review Google’s documentation on how to remove information from your site. Controlling the source is the cleanest, fastest path to removing unwanted search results.

Path 2: Your Step-by-Step Guide on How to Get Rid of a Search Result on Google When You Don’t Control the Site

When unwanted content is on someone else’s website, removal is more challenging but not impossible. Google provides several tools for this situation, and using the right one is key to success.

Here’s a quick comparison of Google’s main removal tools for third-party content:

Google Tool	Purpose	Content Type	Typical Timeline	Key Limitation
Results About You	Remove sensitive personal contact info	Home address, phone, email, PII, doxxing	Days to weeks	Won’t remove public interest info or professional details
Remove Outdated Content	Update search results for already removed content	Cached pages, old snippets	24-48 hours	Only works if content is gone from the live page
Legal Removal Request	Remove content for legal violations	Copyright, court orders, explicit imagery	Weeks or longer	Strict legal criteria, public interest considerations

Step 1: Contact the Website Owner Directly

Always start by contacting the person who controls the content. It’s the most direct approach. Look for a “Contact Us” page or use a WHOIS lookup at who.is to find the owner’s details.

Draft a professional and concise message explaining why the content is problematic and include the exact URL. Avoid threats, which can backfire and draw more attention (the “Streisand effect”). If removal is unlikely, suggest they add a noindex tag to the page, which hides it from search results without deleting it. If they refuse or don’t respond, move on to Google’s tools.

Step 2: Use Google’s “Results About You” Tool for Personal Information

This tool is designed to remove personally identifiable information (PII) like your home address, phone number, or email address, especially in cases of doxxing. It also covers explicit personal images and involuntary fake pornography.

The tool lets you find your contact details across Google Search and request removal. You can also set up monitoring to be alerted if your information appears in new search results. To use it, go to the ‘Results about you’ page while signed into your Google Account and follow the prompts.

If approved, Google may apply query-based removal, meaning the URL won’t appear for searches of your name but might for other queries. For highly sensitive information, Google may remove it for all queries.

Step 3: Use the “Remove Outdated Content” Tool

This tool is for when content has already been removed from a website, but Google’s search results still show an old cached version or snippet. It’s one of the fastest removal methods.

Go to Google’s Refresh Outdated Content tool, enter the URL, and submit a request. Google typically processes these within 24-48 hours. This tool will only work if the content is no longer on the live webpage.

Step 4: How to get rid of a search result on Google for legal reasons

For content that is illegal, you can file a legal removal request. This is a formal and complex process but powerful when you have a legitimate claim.

Copyright Infringement: If your original content is stolen, you can submit a DMCA takedown notice through Google’s legal removal request form.
Court Orders: Google will usually comply with court orders requiring content removal.
Non-Consensual Explicit Imagery: Google has a streamlined process for removing “revenge porn” and involuntary fake pornography.
Other Legal Violations: This can include trademark violations, hate speech (in some jurisdictions), or other content that breaks local laws.

You must provide strong evidence and legal justification. Google reviews these requests carefully, also considering public interest factors. Content on major news or government sites is less likely to be removed. The timeline can be weeks or longer.

Path 3: When Removal Fails, Bury It: The Suppression Strategy

Sometimes, an unwanted search result won’t be removed. In these cases, the best strategy for how to get rid of a search result on google is suppression: burying the negative content so deep in the search results that no one finds it.

This works because very few people look past the first page of Google. A Backlinko study found that only 0.63% of searchers click on a page-two result. By pushing a negative link to page two or beyond, it effectively becomes invisible.

The goal is to build a wall of positive, authoritative content that outranks the negative result. It’s a long-term strategy, but it puts you in control of your narrative. For a detailed guide, see our article on how to Suppress Adverse Content.

How to get rid of a search result on Google using suppression

Suppression requires creating a steady stream of high-quality, optimized content that Google will rank above the unwanted result. Key tactics include:

Create a personal website or professional blog. This is your digital home base where you control the narrative. Optimize it with keywords people use to search for you.
Optimize your social media profiles. LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook have high domain authority and rank well. Keep your profiles active, professional, and complete.
Contribute guest posts and articles. Writing for reputable industry websites builds your authority and creates new, positive search results for your name.
Create videos. YouTube videos rank exceptionally well in search. A professional introduction or a series showcasing your expertise can claim valuable page-one real estate.
Claim professional profiles. Ensure your information is accurate and positive on online directories and professional association sites relevant to your industry.

Consistency and quality are crucial. Over time, this ecosystem of positive content will push down anything you don’t want people to see. Learn more in our guide on How to Improve Google Search Results for My Name.

Monitoring Your Online Reputation Post-Cleanup

Online reputation management is an ongoing process. You must monitor your presence to catch new negative mentions early.

Use Google Alerts. Set up free alerts for your name and business to get email notifications when new content appears.
Consider brand monitoring tools. These tools scan social media, forums, and review sites for a comprehensive view of your online mentions.
Regularly self-search. At least once a month, Google your name and business to check the results and ensure your suppression efforts are holding strong.

This proactive approach is essential for maintaining a clean digital footprint. For ongoing strategies, explore our Clean Up Google services.

When to Hire Professionals for Google Reputation Repair

Sometimes, figuring out how to get rid of a search result on google is too complex for a DIY approach. Recognizing when to call in experts can save you time, frustration, and prevent further damage to your reputation.

You should consider hiring a Google Reputation Repair service in these situations:

High-Authority Negative Results: If the unwanted content is on major news sites (like Forbes or The New York Times) or government domains, it’s nearly impossible to outrank with standard DIY efforts.
Complex Legal Situations: Cases involving defamation or serious privacy violations require a combination of legal expertise and ORM strategy.
Multiple Negative Links: Managing a large volume of negative results across many platforms is a full-time job that requires specialized tools and a coordinated strategy.
Time-Sensitive Needs: If you have an upcoming job interview, business deal, or public event, professionals can often accelerate results through established relationships and aggressive SEO tactics.
Failed DIY Attempts: If you’ve tried to remove or suppress content and haven’t seen results, it’s a clear sign you need expert help.

For CEOs and high-profile individuals, the stakes are too high to leave reputation to chance. Our CEO Reputation Management Complete Guide details how we handle these high-stakes scenarios.

What an Online Reputation Management Service Does

Professional ORM services offer access, expertise, and strategic depth that go beyond DIY methods. Here’s what we do:

Content Removal Expertise: We understand the nuances of Google’s policies and know how to frame removal requests to maximize the chance of approval.
Advanced Suppression Strategies: When removal isn’t possible, we build a comprehensive ecosystem of optimized digital assets—personal websites, high-authority guest posts, videos, and more—to bury negative content.
Source Mitigation: We engage directly with publishers and editors to request corrections, updates, or the addition of noindex tags, often succeeding where individual requests fail.
Digital Asset Creation and Optimization: We provide professional web design, expert SEO, and high-quality content writing to ensure every positive asset ranks well.
Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance: We continuously monitor search results and respond quickly to new threats, ensuring your reputation remains protected long-term.

At Social Czars, we specialize in elite, discreet, and effective Online Reputation Management for CEOs and VIPs. We are a strategic partner dedicated to helping you Fix Online Reputation and protect your legacy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Removing Google Search Results

Navigating how to get rid of a search result on google can be confusing. Here are answers to the most common questions.

How long does it take for Google to process a removal request?

The timeline depends on the tool and request type:

‘Remove Outdated Content’ Tool: This is the fastest, typically taking 24 to 48 hours since the content is already gone from the source.
‘Results About You’ Tool (PII): Expect a timeline of days to several weeks as Google carefully reviews these requests.
Legal Removal Requests: These are the slowest, often taking weeks or longer due to the thorough legal review required.
Google Search Console (Your Own Site): Temporary removals are very fast, usually effective within a day.

Google does not guarantee these timelines, and delays can occur.

What happens if my removal request is denied by Google?

A denial is not the end. Read the reason Google provides in their denial email. If it was due to insufficient evidence, you can gather more documentation and re-submit your request.

However, if Google’s answer is a firm “no”—often the case for accurate news articles or content deemed to be in the public interest—it’s time to pivot to the suppression strategy. Focus on creating positive content to push the unwanted result down in the search rankings.

If you’re stuck after a denial, this is an ideal time to seek professional help from an online reputation management service.

Can I completely remove my name from Google Search?

Completely erasing your name from Google is virtually impossible if you have any public presence. Google’s job is to index public information, including public records, news articles, and social media profiles.

The more effective goal is not to disappear, but to control what ranks for your name. Focus on removing specific harmful URLs that violate Google’s policies. Then, use the suppression strategy to fill the first page of search results with positive, professional content that you control.

This proactive approach ensures that when people search for you, they see the narrative you want to present. It’s the core principle of how we Fix Online Reputation for our clients.

Take Control of Your Search Results Today

You now have a roadmap for how to get rid of a search result on google. You can control the source, request removal from Google, or suppress unwanted results with strategic content. You have more power than you realized.

Most people feel frustrated by negative search results but never take action. By understanding your options, you’ve already taken the most important step. Proactive reputation management is the key to controlling your narrative and building a digital footprint you can be proud of.

If you’re facing high-authority negative content, complex legal issues, or simply don’t have the time to manage this yourself, it’s okay to call in professionals. We’ve helped countless leaders reclaim their online reputations with proven strategies.

Don’t let unwanted search results define you. Ready to take the first step toward a cleaner digital future? Fix your online reputation with expert help and let us handle the heavy lifting.