Removing Personal Info from Google with “Results About You” Tool

Protect your online privacy by removing your personal information online

Google Search contains a metric ton of information, some of which may be your personal contact data you’d rather keep private from prying eyes. With hackers and doxxing being an unfortunate reality these days, it’s crucial to know how to banish sensitive info from search results.

Luckily, Google now has a streamlined “Results About You” tool enabling you to request takedowns of blabbermouth pages exposing your details. This guide will walk through utilizing this functionality to tidy up your digital footprint.

Setting up an alert to notify you when your personal information appears

Set Up Alerts to Notify You When Personal Info Appears

With the updated Results About You dashboard, you can now set up alerts to automatically notify you when phone numbers, home addresses or other personal contact information appears in results connected to your name.

Receive alerts via email or push notifications on mobile so you can take swift action to request removal of unwanted search links revealing your details. This allows proactive protection rather than having to manually check for occurrences of data appearing.

Identify Search Results Revealing Your Information

The first step is running Google queries containing your name plus contact specifics like “John Doe email” or “Jane Doe address.” Carefully comb through the results that surface to pinpoint any loose lips linking to sites publishing your email, physical address, phone number or other TMI data.

Double-check that the information is legitimately your personal data before submitting removal requests.

Access the Improved Results About You Tool

With problematic blabbermouth links identified, access the updated Results About You tool via either the Google app or via web search.

On Mobile:

Open the Google app
Tap your profile icon
Select “Results about you”

On Desktop:

Sign into your Google account
Visit https://myactivity.google.com/results-about-you?pli=1

Submit Removal Requests to Delete Links

Once in the tool, you’ll see options to enter personal details you want to scan for and remove. Provide info like full name, home address, phone number, or email appearing in search results you’d like taken down.

With your data submitted, Results About You will automatically hunt for and reveal matching oversharing pages. You can then officially request the removal of each direct link.

The tool also lets you track the status of requests – whether in progress, approved, or denied. Sign in anytime for updates.

Get personal data scrubbed from sites themselves

Understand Search Result Removal Limitations

Bear in mind that deleting search listings does not entirely remove the underlying content from the broader web. To get personal data scrubbed from sites themselves, you’ll likely need to file additional takedown requests directly with site owners or hosting providers. If you’re concerned about your privacy, learning to delete your personal information from people-finder sites can help you reduce your online exposure.

Also note that Google may choose not to remove certain search results if the page is deemed in the public interest. Nonetheless, Results About You improves control over what appears in search associated specifically with your personal identity.

Enable Other Google Privacy Settings

Alongside Results About You, leverage additional Google account and family privacy controls:

SafeSearch Filtering – Automatically blurs explicit adult or violent imagery in search results.
Remove Explicit Personal Photos – New policy allows requesting deletion of personally created intimate imagery republished without consent.
Parental Controls – Manage what sites and content children can access through centralized family link tools and Google Assistant voice commands.
Ad Personalization – Limit how search history and web activity is leveraged to tailor the ads shown to you.

Navigating the Digital Landscape: Additional Tips for Online Privacy

While removing personal details from search engine results is crucial, there are other measures you can take to protect your privacy online:

Regularly Update Your Privacy Settings: Make it a habit to check and update your privacy settings across various platforms and accounts. This includes social media, email, and any other online services you use.
Be Cautious of Public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi can be a hotbed for cyber threats. Always use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks to ensure your online activities are encrypted and secure.
Educate Yourself About Phishing Scams: Be aware of common phishing tactics used by scammers to steal personal information. Never click on suspicious links or provide personal information to unverified sources.

While removing personal details from search engine results can seem tedious, taking action to protect your privacy is important. Utilize Google’s expanding suite of tools like Results About You to proactively manage what TMI appears in conjunction with your identity.