Hi, When I search for my name in Google, a thread appears from another forum where I have recently discussed a legal matter, as someone had posted my name without my permission. I would like this to be removed from Google search results when someone searches for my name. Does anyone know if it is possible to contact Google about having it removed and how can I contact them? Thanks very much for your help.
From Google Terms of Service for Your Personal Use Google occasionally receives requests from people to remove links from its indices. Although Google reserves the right to address such requests individually, the general approach that Google takes reflects the following principles: Google's indices consist of information that has been identified, indexed and compiled through an automated process with no advance review by human beings. Given the enormous volume of web site information added, deleted, and changed on a frequent basis, Google cannot and does not screen anything made available through its indices. For each web site reflected in Google's indices, if either (i) a site owner restricts access to his or her web site or (ii) a site is taken down from the web, then, upon receipt of a request by the site owner or a third party in the second instance, Google would consider on a case-by-case basis requests to remove the link to that site from its indices. However, if the operator of the site does not take steps to prevent it, the automatic facilities used to create the indices are likely to find that site and index it again in a relatively short amount of time. Google stores many web pages in its cache to retrieve for users as a back-up in case the page's server temporarily fails. Site owners may block Google from returning cached versions of their pages by using the NOARCHIVE meta-tag. Site owners may also request immediate removal of cached page from the Google Search Service. Google evaluates such requests for the immediate removal of cached content on a case-by-case basis and does not guarantee that every request will be granted. The steps necessary to remove cached pages, and to prevent a site from being cached and/or included in the indices are described in the Google FAQ, accessible from the home page of this site. You can also send an email to
They are not going to remove a link from the internet just because you don't like it. Imagine the index if that were their policy. Your only hope is to go to the forum directly and ask the forum adminstrators to remove the link, so it might eventually drop out of the index. Beyond that if you have issue with liable or slander, then you can certainly follow that path with them. As mentioned though, unless some copyright violation is being committed Google is not going to remove a link from their search engine, just because a person does not like what is said about them. It is that simple.
You're right aeiouy! I have never seen Google address any of my requests to remove a link - they are too big... However, I found a solution for my girlfriend, who had a few articles on the 1st page when you Googled her... It's actually quite easy..., there is a service that does it here: http://www.zallas.com/remove-bad-search-engine-results-bad-press.html What they simply do is create a dozen of "good" pages about you to bury the bad results further down the listings (2nd page, 3rd page, etc.)... I've recommended this service to 2 companies already and it has worked for them too! They GUARANTEE the result for a fixed fee. Good luck, Tyler! Let me know how this works out for you - I'm really interested to find out how it works for you!
I looked into this matter for a similar situation... I have been trying to figure out how to get listings removed myself. There are several companies out there that actually specialize in this type of service. The two that i tried were Reputation Defender and Cyberfootprints.com - Reputation defender is a monitoring service and seemed pretty straight forward but none of my links were removed. Cyberfootprints was actually able to remove the really negative content but their fees are quite high. I was happy to pay for the really negative content but im just wondering if there might be a easier way anyone knows of?
I had a client who had rip off report complaints and other complaint links on google - I searched for a company using the term remove rip off reports and found a place called reputationarmor.com - They did a great job and were pretty quick about it.
Sorry to hear about this man. I just googled my name and the 3rd listing was my mailing address while I was deployed to Iraq.
try to discuss with forum admin first instead of trying other methods. in most of the cases the forum admins will help (if it is a small forum)
Honestly... The anonymity of the forum moniker is such that no one really knows "you" - so the likelihood where "you" discussed a legal matter about "you" is suggestive that "you" did provide permission by default for others to discuss "you". I do understand you don't like the aftermath fallout... but that's really is your fault - not the fault or others. Legal matters should really be private matters. So while you can "ask," "hassle," and "threaten" the fourm's admins, mods, or other 3rd parties... you might wish to stop "the innocent bystander spin"... IMHO.
We're one of those companies that removes rip off reports and other bad reviews for our clients. Rip off report won't actually remove a page for you, and for most of the bigger sites it is a nightmare to get a complaint removed. There is a way to remove it from the actual search results completely, however, it is expensive and time consuming. What we do is create a lot of positive press on your name or company that will outrank the rip off report..... think about it, if the ripoff report is on page 10 of Google is anyone ever going to actually see it?