Free guide

How to remove yourself from people-search sites — for free

You don’t need a paid service to start. Doing it yourself takes some patience, but you stay in control of every request. No one can guarantee a site will remove a listing, but these steps work often enough to be worth your time.

1. 01

   Make a private list

   Write down the names, past addresses, phone numbers and emails people might use to find you. You’ll use it to search and to recognise your listings.

2. 02

   Search for yourself

   Search your name with your city or state, plus phrases like “address” or “phone”. Note every people-search or background-check site that shows a listing about you, and save the exact page link.

3. 03

   Use each site’s own opt-out

   Most people-search sites have an opt-out or “do not sell” page, often linked at the bottom of the site. Paste the exact listing link, use an email you don’t mind receiving their confirmation at, and never pay or upload ID unless you are comfortable doing so.

4. 04

   Ask Google to hide results

   Google’s free “Results about you” tool lets you request removal of search results showing your phone, address or email, and can alert you when new ones appear.

5. 05

   Keep a record

   Track each site, the date you asked, and whether it worked. Listings can reappear after a few months, so recheck every quarter.

6. 06

   Get help if you’re in danger

   If you’re being stalked or harassed, tell a local advocate or the police. Some states also run address-confidentiality programs for survivors.