Erase Your Personal Info from the Internet for Free
A Practical Guide to Removing Your Data from Search Results and Data Brokers
Bottom Line Up Front
The Problem: A quick search reveals your name, address, phone number, age, and more—all available online to anyone, including nefarious actors who can use it for identity theft.
Best Free Approach: Use Google's "Results about you" service for alerts and removal requests, then manually opt out from data brokers using DeleteMe's free directory of step-by-step guides.
Reality Check: Paid data deletion services ($20–$40/year) have mixed success rates according to Consumer Reports. The most effective method is doing it yourself, though it's an ongoing "game of whack-a-mole."
Method 1: Google Search Result Removal
Google offers free tools to remove your personal information from search results. This doesn't delete the source—it only hides the link in Google searches—but it significantly reduces discoverability.
One-Time Removal Process
- Google your name and find a search result containing your personal info
- Tap the three dots next to the URL
- Select "Remove result"
- Fill out the form with required details
- If approved, the link should disappear within days
Ongoing Protection: "Results About You" Service
- Sign up for Google's free "Results about you" service
- The service alerts you when your personal contact info appears in search results
- Request removal with a single click when notified
Important Limitation
Google removal only hides the link in Google Search—the actual web page stays online. To get the source removed, you must contact that site directly.
Method 2: Direct Data Broker Opt-Outs
The most effective approach is manually visiting data broker sites and submitting opt-out requests. This is labor-intensive but free and addresses the source rather than just search visibility.
DIY Opt-Out Process
- Search your name and identify the top results exposing your information
- Visit those sites directly
- Locate and submit their opt-out request forms
- Use DeleteMe's free directory of opt-out guides for step-by-step instructions covering "just about every data broker out there"
Free Resource
DeleteMe Opt-Out Directory: Provides free step-by-step instructions for opting out of individual data brokers. (Note: DeleteMe also offers a paid service, but the directory itself is free.)
Method 3: Paid Data Removal Services
Services like Incogni, Privacy Bee, and others automate the opt-out process across multiple data brokers. The primary driver for adoption is "to enhance personal privacy in general."
Cost and Effectiveness
Typical cost: Up to $20/month for premium services
Budget options: EZOptOuts and Optery cost $20–$40/year and were found to remove the most data
Consumer Reports finding: Many data deletion services "don't have a great success rate"
Strategic Perspective
Understanding the nature of online data exposure helps set realistic expectations and prioritize efforts.
Why This Matters
Every new piece of information shared about you online becomes potential ammunition for identity theft. While complete removal is impractical, reducing your exposure significantly increases the effort required for bad actors to compile a useful profile.
Going Forward
Prevention is easier than removal. Be mindful about where you share personal information to minimize future data exposure.
Recommended Priority Order
- Immediate: Set up Google "Results about you" for ongoing monitoring (free)
- First pass: Remove the top Google search results exposing your info (free)
- Deep clean: Work through major data brokers using DeleteMe's free guides
- Optional: Consider paid services like EZOptOuts or Optery ($20–$40/year) for automation
- Ongoing: Be selective about sharing personal info going forward