Google Simplifies Process for Removing Personal Information from Search Results

If you’ve ever tried searching for yourself on Google and didn’t like what you found, there’s good news. Google has a tool called the Results About You, which helps users request the removal of search results that show their personal information. This tool received an update recently to make it even more user-friendly, especially for removing outdated or irrelevant information.

With the new updates, there’s now a special hub where you can see any online search results related to you. To use this feature, you’ll need to sign up. Once you’re signed up, Google will actively watch for any search results that mention you and will show these results in your hub so you can review them.

In addition to this, Google has made it easier for you to ask for certain results to be taken down. When you see a search result that you want to remove, simply click on the three dots next to it. A new option labeled “Remove this result” will appear. You’ll need to choose a reason for the removal, such as unwanted personal information, outdated content, or a legal reason. After you submit your request, Google will look into it and may remove the result if it meets their criteria. You can also ask Google to check websites again to ensure they have the most current information about you.

Google’s Results About You serves as a middle ground between the company wanting to share information and the public’s desire for privacy. While this tool isn’t a legal right, like the Right to Be Forgotten laws in the European Union, it gives you a chance to reclaim some control over your personal information online—assuming Google agrees with your request.

If you’re interested in using Google’s monitoring service and sending removal requests, you need to sign up for Results About You. Here’s how to do it:

1. Log into your Google account.
2. Go to “Manage your Google Account.”
3. Find the “Data & privacy” section.
4. Open “My activity” and then click on “Other Activity.”
5. Scroll down to “Results about you” and click on “Manage results about you.”

After you set that up, you can personalize your Results About You settings. You can add names you want to keep track of (like nicknames or maiden names), phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses tied to you. You can also set notifications to control how often Google informs you about new results linked to your personal information.

Once you’re all set up, you can view the results about yourself directly from your dashboard. It’s worth noting that Google might decline some of your removal requests if they determine the information is important for the public. However, it’s still a good idea to ask for removal if there’s something you want changed. In these situations, making a request is really the best step you can take.