Search engine delisting, also known as deindexing, refers to the removal of specific web pages or URLs from a search engine’s results. When a web page is delisted, it no longer appears in search engine results.
Data protection law gives individuals the right to ask search engines like Google to delist certain results for queries related to a person’s name. This is called the “Right to be Forgotten“. However, the right is not automatic. Google and other search engines will decide to delist based on their own policies and interpretation of the law.
Although requests are reviewed by a human moderator, Google receives millions of delisting requests and you need to make the right arguments referring to Google’s own policies and the law to be successful.
We offer a great value service to prepare bespoke delisting requests to Google and Bing, with a proven track record of successful delisting requests.
If Google agrees to delist a URL, it won’t appear in Google searches for your name. However, it won’t remove the underlying article from the web and it may still appear for other search terms. Google usually only delist by region, so outside of the UK / EU, the URL may still appear in searches for your name.
If we are unsuccessful, we make recommendations for appropriate next steps, including a complaint to the Information Commissoner’s Office (ICO), SEO and online reputation management and/or seeking legal advice.
