How to Remove Information From Internet Search Engines
The Internet has provided the ability for any individual to post information to a global audience. Search engines index the pages with this information, making it possible for web users to find the information in searches. Some individuals treat this ability as a license to violate copyrights and defame or humiliate others. In some cases, information becomes obsolete. Those who seek to remove information from Internet search engines must learn how to make removal requests. They can then seek to have the information removed from online search engines.
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Instructions
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Determine the reason for the removal request. The removal of copyright infringement or other violations of intellectual property requires extra steps. Use defamation or privacy concerns as additional reasons to try to remove information from Internet search engines and websites.
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Visit Google and type in the phrase "whois www.websitename.com" (inputting the domain name) to find contact information for the website that contains the information in question and the company that hosts the website. Several results will come back that show a "whois" report. Look at the report for the information you need. Visit the website and the host's website for additional contact details. Most websites have a "Contact Us" link to find the information.
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Write a letter explaining the reasons for requesting the removal of information. Include an exact copy of the information to be removed. Add additional proof of any copyright violation or defamatory statements. Sign and date the letter.
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Send the letter to the website owner. Make a follow-up phone call if a phone number is available. Provide any additional information if the website owner asks for it. Contact the web host if the owner refuses to remove information from a website.
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Make a request to the search engines to remove the content if the website owner and web host fail to remove the information. Using this route is more difficult because the person seeking removal must contact each individual search engine. Look for the removal steps for each search engine or use the search engine's contact information to request the removal procedure.
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Make a separate DMCA notice to remove material that violates copyright (see the example in the resource below). Search engines have policies in place to comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Follow the exact procedures and provide ample proof of copyright infringement to have the information removed. Contact each search engine individually to learn their DMCA notice procedures.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider using an attorney to write and send the removal request. A website owner or host may take this request more seriously than one from a random person.
Ask the person who wrote the information to remove it if that person has access to delete the information. This situation sometimes occurs when an individual posts on a forum and can edit his postings.
Do not expect the search engines to honor all removal requests. They may not remove content when the removal request is from a person who is not the website owner. Seek to have the information removed from the website owner first.
