In this article · 6 sections
- Two separate goals
- Step 1: Contact the website owner
- Step 2: Use Google's tools
- "Results about you"
- Personal information removal request
- Outdated content removal
- Step 3: For serious cases
- Businesses: protect customers
- FAQs
- Will Google remove a business's phone number?
- Does removal guarantee it won't appear elsewhere?
Finding your phone number, home address or ID documents in search results is alarming. Google has processes to remove personal information from Google search results in certain cases. Here's how to use them, and why you should also contact the website.
Two separate goals
- Remove it from the website (the source), by contacting the owner or host
- Remove it from Google search results, by requesting removal from Google
Removing from Google doesn't delete the page; removing from the website fixes the root problem.
Step 1: Contact the website owner
Ask them to remove the information. Many will comply. If the site was built or is hosted by Joboo Web, use our legal request form and choose "Personal information / privacy".
Step 2: Use Google's tools
"Results about you"
Google offers a tool (in the Google app/account) to find and request removal of results containing your contact information (phone, email, home address). Availability and features may vary by region.
Personal information removal request
Google's help pages list types of personal content it may remove, such as:
- Government ID numbers and images of ID documents
- Bank or card details
- Images of handwritten signatures
- Confidential medical records
- Personal contact information shared with intent to harm (doxxing)
- Non-consensual intimate images
Outdated content removal
If the website has already removed the information but Google still shows it, use the Remove outdated content tool.
Step 3: For serious cases
If information is shared to harass or threaten you, report it to the platform, keep evidence and consider reporting to cybercrime authorities (cybercrime.gov.in). See report a phishing website for reporting channels.
Businesses: protect customers
If your website shows customer data, IDs or reviews with personal details, remove them and review your data practices. See DPDP Act checklist.
FAQs
Will Google remove a business's phone number?
Business contact information published by the business itself is usually not removed. The tools focus on personal information.
Does removal guarantee it won't appear elsewhere?
No. Other sites may still show it; repeat the process for each.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Was this article helpful?
Your answer helps us improve our guides