Removing results from Google search can seem intimidating, but with the right steps, it can be done quickly and easily.
In this guide, you'll learn the five key steps needed to remove unwanted search engine results from your Google search results.
Contact the Website to Remove Content.
If the content is hosted on an external website (such as an old blog post, forum discussions, etc.), then contact the site owner to request that the content be removed. While the owner of the website may not always cooperate, it's worth trying as it is by far the quickest and easiest way to remove results from Google.
You can also submit a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown request if any copyrighted material is involved.
File a Google DMCA Takedown Request.
If the content you're trying to delete is copyrighted, then you can file a DMCA takedown request directly with Google to have it removed. You need to first draft a takedown request that contains all the information necessary for the webmaster of the website hosting the offending content to process your claim.
Once completed, you can send the request either by mail or online form and await a response.
Create a Positive Digital Presence With Brand Building & SEO Strategies.
To prevent unwanted search results from appearing in Google, you need to create a positive digital presence that shows up at the top of the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages).
This can be achieved by optimizing your content for SEO. Make sure to use keywords throughout your website, develop internal links between pages, and increase your backlinks by doing guest blogging or outreach to bloggers.
Having a strong SEO strategy will help fuel a strong brand presence for your business, which Google will recognize and rank you higher for relevant queries.
Send Notice to Search Engines That Results Have Been Removed
After you have removed the results which you want to suppress, the next step is to send a notice to search engines that those results should no longer be displayed on SERPs.
The best way to do this is through search engine reporting pages like Google Search Console. Here you can use their URL removal tool and mark URLs as removed so they will no longer display in your rankings.
You can also submit a request for Google to reconsider removing them from its indices after being notified.
Take Legal Action (if Necessary).
If the other party is unwilling to agree to remove their search results from your profile, you’ll need to take legal action. Depending on your situation, you may be able to file a defamation lawsuit or obtain an injunction against them.
If all else fails, you can reach out to a reputation management company for assistance in legally removing the offending content from Google search.