Purpose

Ask the party controlling the source to delete or edit information so it is removed at its origin.

Applicable policy and verification date

Google explains that it does not own third-party pages and recommends contacting the owner for source removal. It lists a site contact link, WHOIS information, and the hosting company as possible channels. Verified 2026-10-17. (Google owner-contact guidance)

Audience

Affected people and authorized representatives seeking source deletion or correction.

Before you begin

Preserve a minimal record of the current page and URL. Decide precisely what change is requested: delete a value, remove a page, restrict an account, or correct a record.

Prerequisites

  • Specific source URL.
  • Clear description of the affected information.
  • A safe contact method that does not disclose more personal data than necessary.

Required inputs and evidence

Provide the URL, location on the page, requested action, and concise reason. Attach evidence only when needed. Do not send full identity documents or account credentials by ordinary email unless a verified process specifically requires them.

Procedure

  1. Look for Contact us, privacy, abuse, legal, or support information on the website.
  2. If no useful contact is available, identify public registration contact information through a WHOIS lookup.
  3. If the owner cannot be reached, identify and contact the hosting provider where appropriate.
  4. State the exact URL and requested change. Keep the message factual and preserve a copy.
  5. If the content is on a social platform, use that platform’s privacy, abuse, impersonation, or removal process.
  6. Verify the page after the owner responds.
  7. If the source changed but Google remains stale, use Refresh outdated results.

Expected result

The owner may delete, edit, restrict, or decline the request. Only an observable source change supports an outdated-content refresh.

Next steps

A policy-based Search request can proceed separately when the live content fits Google’s criteria. A legal request is separate again.

Troubleshooting and exceptions

  • Do not treat silence as confirmation of deletion.
  • A removed Search result can coexist with a live source page.
  • For a page the affected person controls, use the site’s own privacy/indexing controls first.
  • Record abusive payment demands separately; Google maintains a distinct policy route for sites with exploitative removal practices, but that route is outside this guide’s personal-information focus.

Official references

Policy review record

  • Last policy review: 2026-10-17
  • Documentation version: 1.0.0