Unwanted Google search results, like personal details or negative articles, can harm your reputation. A 2023 BrightLocal survey found that 93% of consumers use online reviews to judge businesses, showing how search results shape perceptions. (source)
This guide explains how to remove unwanted Google search results with simple, effective methods. Let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
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Why Would Someone Want to Remove Unwanted Google Search Results?
Knowing how to remove unwanted Google search results can help protect your personal or business image from lasting damage. According to a study by PowerReviews, 96% of all online shoppers actively seek out negative feedback before making a purchase, meaning bad search results can directly impact your sales and reputation.
Here are three main reasons to take action:
Protect Your Brand Image: Your digital presence shapes how people view your business. It’s often the first thing they see, influencing whether they trust and engage with you.
Build Customer Trust: Outdated or harmful content can hurt your credibility. Cleaning up your search results shows you’re reliable and in control.
Improve SEO Results: Negative or irrelevant content can lower your rankings. Removing it helps boost your site’s visibility in search results.
Negative search results can significantly impact personal and business reputations
Which Search Results Should Be Removed from Google?
Not all search results can or should be removed. Focus on these four types of problematic content.
Personal Information Exposure
Personal details like your phone number or address can appear in search results. This exposes you to risks like identity theft or harassment. Google’s policies allow the removal of such sensitive data to protect your privacy.
Some websites scrape public records and publish them. Others make money by posting mugshots, court records, or past jobs, making it hard for you to control your own narrative.
How to remove unwanted Google search results to protect your privacy
Outdated or Inaccurate Information
Old articles or incorrect data can mislead people. Even if the information was once true, it might be misleading today. For example, an outdated news story about a resolved issue can harm your reputation. Google’s “Remove Outdated Content” tool is helpful in these cases.
It won’t delete the page, but it can remove or refresh the snippet shown in search. It’s a helpful step when figuring out how to remove unwanted Google search results related to old or misleading content.
Negative Reviews or Articles
Negative articles or reviews can hurt your credibility. A single 1-star review can scare off new customers. A news article about a past lawsuit, even if resolved, may still appear when someone searches for your brand.
Negative reviews can feature prominently on rating platforms
Even old blog posts, forum threads, or user complaints can linger online and damage your reputation, especially if they appear on trusted websites or high-authority news outlets. These results can be misleading and don’t always reflect your current business status or improvements.
According to Crazy Egg, the first page of Google gets more than 90% of traffic. That means if a bad result shows up there, most people will see it.
Confidential Business or Legal Content
Internal emails, private agreements or sensitive legal info should never be public. If these show up in search results, you need to act fast. They can damage relationships, harm your business or even violate the law.
7 Effective Methods to Remove or Suppress Unwanted Google Search Results
Depending on the situation, you have a few tools to suppress it so it doesn’t show up in the top search results. Here are practical ways to tackle unwanted search results.
Method 1: Use Google’s Removal Tools
Google offers several tools to remove negative search results, but it’s important to know what each one does. Try these options:
“Results About You” Tool: This feature allows users to request the removal of personal info like your phone number, address, or email from search results. It’s simple to use. Just log into your Google account, go to “Results About You,” and start reviewing what Google finds related to your name.
Remove Outdated Content Tool: If a web page was updated but Google still shows the old version in its snippet or cache, you can request a refresh. This won’t delete the page, but it updates what Google shows, which can help remove irrelevant or misleading details.
Old articles or incorrect data can damage a brand’s reputation
Legal Removal Requests: If the content involves defamation, copyrighted materials, revenge porn or confidential data, Google may remove it based on legal grounds. Visit the Google Legal Help page and fill out the proper form. You’ll need to provide evidence and a detailed explanation of the issue.
Keep in mind, Google only removes content from its search results. The content will still exist unless the original website deletes it.
Method 2: Submit Removal Requests for Specific URLs
If you encounter a search result containing sensitive or outdated information, you can request its removal from Google Search. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Identify the Exact URL: Copy the full link of the content you wish to remove directly from the search results.
Step 2: Access Google’s Removal Tools: Visit the Google Search Help Center to find the appropriate removal tool based on your situation.
All of the Google’s Removal Tools
Step 3: Choose the Appropriate Removal Tool:
- Personal Information: For content like your phone number, email, or address, use the Results About You tool.
- Outdated Content: If the content has been removed from the original site but still appears in search results, use the Remove Outdated Content tool.
- Legal Issues: For content involving legal concerns, such as copyright infringement, visit the Legal Removal Requests page.
Step 4: Submit the Request: Fill out the form with the required details, including the URL and a brief explanation of why the content should be removed. Provide any necessary documentation to support your request.
Step 5: Await Google’s Response: Google will review your request and notify you of the outcome via email. If approved, the content will be removed from search results.
Removing content from Google Search does not delete it from the internet. To have the content removed entirely, you may need to contact the website owner directly. This method works well for Google search result removal of sensitive or outdated content.
Method 3: Contact Website Owners Directly
If the content is hosted on a third-party site, the fastest and most direct way to remove it is by asking the site owner. Follow these steps:
- Find Contact Info: Check the site’s “About” or “Contact” page. Use WHOIS lookup tools to find an admin email address there.
- Write a Professional Email: Be polite, direct and explain why the content is harmful (e.g., it’s outdated or false). Provide evidence, like updated records.
- Handle Unresponsive Sites: If the owner ignores you, reporting it to Google or pursuing legal action.
Ask site owners directly to remove harmful content and protect your brand
For instance, if a blog post contains incorrect data, a polite email with proof can lead to removal. This approach is key to how to delete unwanted content from Google.
Method 4: Remove Content You Control
If you’ve posted something on your blog or social media, you can usually delete or edit it directly. Just log in to your account, find the content, and remove it. This is the fastest way to take down unwanted content that you control.
Remove Content You Post On WordPress
Also, check your privacy settings on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Reddit or LinkedIn. You can adjust who sees your posts or whether search engines can index your profile. This helps limit exposure and reduces what shows up in Google searches.
Delete or hide your own posts to quickly clean up Google search results
Method 5: Create and Promote Positive Content
Creating positive content is a proactive way to erase search history from Google by overshadowing bad results. Write blog posts, articles, or guest posts on reputable sites. Share valuable information, like tips or success stories.
For example, a business could post customer testimonials on its website. Promote this content on social media to increase its visibility and support your efforts in how to remove unwanted Google search results from top positions.
Publishing positive content can help push down negative search results
Method 6: Apply SEO Strategies to Push Down Negative Results
Search engine optimization (SEO) can lower the ranking of unwanted results. Optimize your website with relevant keywords and high-quality content. Build backlinks from trusted sites to boost your page’s authority.
For example, a local business could optimize its site for “best [service] in [city]” to outrank a negative article. SEO takes time, but is effective in supporting a Google content removal request by reducing the visibility of harmful content.
| Read more: SEO Strategy for SAAS: How to Boost Organic Growth in 2024? |
Method 7: Utilize Social Media Platforms and Online Profiles
Active social media profiles can dominate search results. Sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and even TikTok often rank high on Google because they’re trusted domains.
Also, post regularly and use your name or brand consistently. For example, a professional LinkedIn profile with recent posts may rank higher than a negative post.
How to Maintain a Clean and Positive Online Presence Over Time
Understanding how to remove unwanted Google search results is just the beginning of managing your digital reputation. Keeping your online image clean is an important step in preventing future problems. Here’s how to do it:
Regularly Monitor Your Name/Brand on Google
Once a month, try Googling your name, your company name, and any usernames you use. This helps you catch unwanted results early. Search using:
- Your full name in quotes: “John Michael Doe”
- Variants or nicknames
- Your company’s legal and brand names
Check the first three results pages to identify which method from the above best explains how to remove unwanted Google search results. If you find harmful content, act quickly using the methods above. Regular checks prevent surprises and protect your reputation.
Regular Google monitoring helps you quickly address negative content
Set Up Google Alerts for Mentions
Setting up Google Alerts is an important part of tracking and improving your efforts on how to remove unwanted Google search results over time. Set up alerts at alerts.google.com with keywords like your name or business name.
For example, a restaurant could track “[Restaurant Name] reviews.” You’ll get emails when new content appears, allowing fast action. This is a simple way to stay proactive.
Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile (GBP) controls what appears in local searches. Claim your profile and add accurate details, like your address, hours and website. Post updates and respond to reviews.
According to WordStream, businesses with more positive reviews get more clicks and calls. Plus, having a well-maintained GBP pushes down other search results.
Use Online Reputation Management Services
If managing your online presence feels overwhelming, hire the professionals. With years of experience in digital PR, Golden Owl Digital is proud to be the first choice for companies managing their brand or public image. This helps you manage your time, build a professional image with your customers.
Our team at Golden Owl Digital specializes in:
- Monitoring your online reputation
- Removing unwanted content
- Creating positive content
- Managing reviews and feedback
At the same time, we use SEO, request solutions and create content to clean up your search results.
Full – packed SEO services at Golden Owl digital
| Read more: Outsourced SEO Services. Maximize Results & Save Big on Costs |
Conclusion
Removing unwanted Google search results isn’t always easy but it’s possible. By learning how to remove unwanted Google search results, you protect your privacy, reputation and credibility. Start today by checking your Google results, setting up alerts and taking action on harmful content.
At Golden Owl Digital, we’ve helped clients clean their search results and build trust online. Contact Golden Owl Digital for expert digital marketing solutions to master how to remove unwanted Google search results and grow your brand.
