Remove Google Searches- 2019 Methods That Still Work

Why Removing Google Search Results Matters More Than You Think

Your name + the wrong keywords = potential employers, dates, or landlords finding things you'd rather they didn't. That's the reality of search engine results. Once something is indexed, it lives indefinitely unless you actively kill it.

This guide covers methods that work in 2019 and remain effective. No gimmicks, no "hacks" that died years ago.

Understanding How Google Indexing Works

Google doesn't host content—it crawls and indexes pages that already exist on the web. To remove a search result, you have two paths:

The first option is cleaner. The second is your only option when you don't control the website.

The Legal Route: GDPR and Right to Be Forgotten

If you're in the EU or dealing with EU-hosted sites, you have significant leverage. Article 17 of the GDPR gives you the right to request erasure of personal data. This isn't just theory—Google processes thousands of these requests monthly.

Who Qualifies for Removal?

Google evaluates each request against:

Private individuals have the strongest case. Public figures, convicted criminals, and newsworthy individuals face higher bars.

2019 Methods That Still Work

1. Direct Contact with Webmasters

Find the site's contact info and request removal. Be specific about which URLs you want gone and why. Site owners are often responsive—many don't want legal liability either.

Use WHOIS lookups to find contact details when they're not on the site.

2. Google Remove Outdated Content Tool

Google maintains a tool for removing outdated content. This works when pages have been deleted or changed but still appear in search results. Google typically processes these within days.

3. Google Legal Removal Request Form

For legally actionable content (defamation, doxxing, illegal content), use Google's legal removal request form. Categories include:

4. Suppression Through Positive Content

Sometimes you can't remove content—you can only bury it. Creating strong profiles on high-authority sites pushes negative results down. Focus on:

This isn't removal. It's suppression. But it's often the only realistic option for stubborn results.

5. Wayback Machine Removals

Archive.org caches old versions of pages. You can request removal at archive.org using their form. Note: this removes the cached version, not the original site.

6. Deindexing from Bing and Other Search Engines

Google isn't the only search engine. Submit removal requests to:

A complete deindexing strategy covers all engines, not just Google.

Method Comparison Table

Method Success Rate Time Required Cost Best For
Direct webmaster contact Medium Days to weeks Free Pages you can identify
GDPR removal request High (EU) 2-4 weeks Free EU-based sites, personal data
Outdated content tool Very High Days Free Deleted/changed pages
Legal removal form High (valid claims) Weeks to months Free Defamation, illegal content
Content suppression Variable Months Time + effort Unremovable content
Wayback removal High Days Free Old cached versions

How to Submit a GDPR Removal Request to Google

Here's the practical process:

  1. Go to Google's removal request tool
  2. Select "Personal Information" then "Remove personal content from Google"
  3. Enter the URLs you want removed
  4. Explain why each result should be removed
  5. Submit and wait for review (typically 2-4 weeks)

If denied, you can appeal with additional justification or evidence.

What Doesn't Work in 2019

Skip these—they're wastes of time:

When to Hire a Professional

If you're dealing with:

A reputation management attorney or specialist is worth the cost. Expect to pay $2,000-10,000+ for complex cases. Get everything in writing before paying.

The Bitter Truth

You can't delete the internet. Once something is published widely, it exists in caches, screenshots, and syndication across dozens of platforms. Realistic goals:

Complete erasure is rare. Significant improvement is achievable with consistent effort.