You can remove your info from people-search sites by finding where you’re listed, submitting each site’s opt-out request, tracking confirmations, and then re-checking regularly—because listings often come back. The FTC explicitly warns that opting out may not fix everything and that your information can reappear.
The simple plan to take control of your information (do this in order)
- Find out where your personal information is visible online (use Google and people-search sites).
- Start a list to keep track of what you are doing (so you do not get confused).
- Remove your information from each site one by one (take screenshots and save confirmation emails).
- Use Google’s “Results about you” tool to remove sensitive information from search results (this helps with visibility).
- Do this every month (because your information can be listed again).
- If DIY feels like too much work, use a service to help you after you find out where your information is (they usually offer a free scan first).
Google and the Federal Trade Commission both say that this is a process. Just because your information is not visible on Google does not mean it is completely removed from the internet.
A story about why this matters (it’s more important than you think)
I am going to be honest with you. Most people do not care about privacy until something strange happens to them.
You might get a phone call. A stranger might text your name. Someone might mention a place where you used to live. Or you might search for yourself online and find a page that lists your home address, family members, and friends. It can feel like a public directory.
When something like that happens, it feels different. It is not about privacy anymore. It is about your life being out there for anyone to see without your permission.
I wish everyone knew about this before something like that happened to them.
Step 0: Understand what you are trying to remove
There are two problems:
1) Visibility (what shows up when you search for yourself on Google)
Your personal information appears in Google search results. You can ask Google to remove results that have your information using the “Results about you” tool.
2) The original source (people-search sites and data brokers)
Even if Google does not show the information, it can still be on the people-search site or data broker page. That is why you also need to remove your information from the source.
If you only remove it from Google, you might feel safer. The information can still be out there.
Step 1: Find out where your information is visible
A) Search for yourself on Google the right way
Do three searches:
- Your first and last name + city
- Your first and last name + phone number (or the last four digits)
- Your first and last name + address (or street name)
Also try searching with:
- Your initial
- Your maiden name (if that applies to you)
- Your old city
Your goal is to make a list of websites and URLs where your information is visible.
B) Use Google’s “Results about you” tool
Google has a support page that explains how “Results about you” can help you find and remove search results that contain personal information like your phone number, home address, or email address.
Google has also made it easier to request removal of your information.
It is important to remember that this only helps with visibility on Google. It does not completely remove your information from the internet.
C) If you live in California, know about DROP (2026)
If you live in California, there is a platform called DROP that can help you request removal of your information from data brokers. This platform will start processing requests on August 1, 2026.
This is a big deal, but it only applies to California residents. And it does not replace the need to remove your information from other sites.
Step 2: Make a list to keep track of what you are doing (this is the key to success)
The reason why removing your information yourself can be difficult is that people do not keep track of what they are doing.
Create a spreadsheet with these columns:
- Website name
- URL where your information is listed
- URL to remove your information
- Date you submitted the request
- How you confirmed the request (email, text message, or uploading identification)
- Status (pending, removed, or reappeared)
- Notes (case number, screenshot file name)
Remember: if you do not write it down, it did not happen.
Step 3: Do the opt-outs (the repeatable workflow)
Most people-search sites are pretty similar.
1) Find your listing
Search for your name on the people-search site. Open the page with your listing.
2) Locate the opt-out option
Look at the bottom of the page for things like:
- “Do Not Sell My Info”
- “Remove My Data”
- “Opt Out”
Sometimes the people-search sites hide the opt-out pages so they do not show up in search engines.
A report from WIRED found that many people-search sites were hiding opt-out pages from Google.
So you might have to use the links at the bottom of the page or look for “privacy” or “opt out” pages on the site.
You might even have to email the site for support.
3) Submit the opt-out request
The site will usually ask you to verify who you are.
They might ask you to:
- click a link in an email
- enter a code sent to your phone
- enter your address
- upload a copy of your ID
It is a good idea to use a special email address just for opt-outs. This keeps your inbox clean and makes tracking easier.
4) Screenshot everything
Take screenshots of:
- your listing page
- the opt-out submission page
- the confirmation email or confirmation page
This is important in case the site says they did not get your request or your listing shows up again.
5) Check again after 1–2 weeks
Some sites update quickly. Others take longer.
Make a note to check the site again to confirm your listing is gone.
Step 4: Expect re-listing (your info can come back)
The Federal Trade Commission says opting out might not always work permanently.
Your information might show up again if it is in records, or if it is connected to someone else’s report.
That is why you cannot do this once and forget about it.
You have to keep checking to make sure your listing has not returned.
A realistic schedule
- Week 1: remove listings from the top 10 people-search sites
- Week 2: remove listings from the next 10–20 sites
- Monthly: re-check key sites to see if your listing returned
Step 5: Use tools that make opt-outs easier
Global Privacy Control (GPC)
GPC is a browser setting that can tell companies you do not want them to sell your information.
It is not a full solution, but it can help.
Tighten privacy settings in apps
You can also reduce the number of future listings by changing settings in apps you already use to share less information.
This helps reduce how much data gets collected and spread.
Step 6: Sometimes it is better to pay for help
If you have time and do not mind filling out forms, you can do this yourself.
If you have many listings, or your information keeps reappearing, it might be better to pay someone to handle it.
Some people-search sites make opt-outs difficult on purpose, so getting help can save time.
Important warning
The truth about removal services is that they do not always work as promised. Consumer Reports tested these services and found they are not very effective. This is a warning to anyone thinking of paying without research.
How to protect your money
- First, confirm your exposure by searching for yourself online or using a scan.
- Then decide what you are paying for: time saved, or ongoing monitoring and repeat removals.
Where MyDataRemoval fits (and a key limitation)
MyDataRemoval offers a scan to show what they can find, then paid plans for removal and monitoring. They also publish a list of covered sites (232 sites).
However, MyDataRemoval only works for people who live in the United States, because the sites they cover do not usually have information about people from other countries.
If you live outside the United States, use the DIY steps in this guide and check your local privacy laws. Keep in mind privacy rules vary by country.
A simple test to decide what to do
- If you only find one or two listings, you can probably handle it yourself.
- If you find many listings across multiple sites, and your information keeps reappearing, you may want to consider using a removal service.
The best thing to do first is to run a scan or do research to see how big the problem really is.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Mistake #1: Removing one listing and stopping
Listings can come back. Check monthly. - Mistake #2: Opting out but not confirming removal
Screenshot the opt-out and check again later. - Mistake #3: Only removing from Google
Google removal is not the same as removing your data from the source broker site. - Mistake #4: Not finding the opt-out page
Use privacy links in the footer, site search, or contact support.
Final CTA
If you want to be sure you are removing your information safely and effectively, start by running a free exposure scan. If the scan shows your information is spread across many sites—including your address, phone number, and details about your relatives—then paying for removal and monitoring might be worth it because you are solving a real, confirmed problem.
You can run an exposure scan by clicking this link: Run a Free Exposure Scan — Click Here
