Here's Exactly How To Remove Your Address and Phone Number from Google Search
The internet is a crazy place. Whether you're posting back-to-school photos of your kids in good faith, or giving money and your info to adopt a dog just to find out it was a puppy scam, there are many security risks and fraudulent offers to look out for constantly.
That's especially true when you think about the personal information that could be available for anyone to find online. Fortunately, Google is making it easier to monitor your contact information on the world wide web. All you have to do is utilize the "Results about you" section of Google search.
While this helpful feature was launched back in 2022, there is a new update that was announced on August 3 and will be coming soon to make monitoring your personal information *that* much easier. But first, let's go over some best practices about online security, how to use and control "Results about you" and what changes will be rolling out soon.
How To Be Smart and Secure Using Technology
It seems like every day, there's a new warning to be aware of when it comes to cyber security, fraudulent calls, app safety and more. It doesn't just impact teens and kids on Snapchat or people who are excited after hearing they won (or have been gifted) large sums of money.
Instead, scammers are creative and can use personal information against you. That's why it's important to be smart, by utilizing safety measures such as:
Using two-factor authentication for your various accounts
Avoid communicating with or accepting money from individuals you don't know
Reach out to a friend or family member using a different method of communication if something feels off about their phone call or social media message
Do not post information about yourself or your family on social media that you wouldn't want a stranger to know about (the school your child goes to, when you're going to be on vacation and away from your home, etc)
That being said, maybe you haven't personally posted information online, but you worry that your phone number, home address and email address are out there for anyone to find. Maybe it's your kids' information you're extra concerned about. That's where Google's "Results about you" comes in.
Related: What Is the New ‘Look Who Died’ Internet Scam? Here’s How It Puts Your Privacy at Risk
How To Take Control of 'Results About You'
If you search specific inquiries using your personal information (like your name and city/state, for example) and see Google search results that you don't want anyone to see, you are able to click on the small three-dot icon at the end of the search result's URL and then choose "Remove result" from the options menu that appears.
You can request result removal from either your computer's browser or your app. Again, this is useful if you see a site listing your phone number, email address or home address that is not an official government or educational website.
"Google reviews every request to make sure it meets policy requirements for removal," according to the "My Activity" section of Google. "That includes checking to make sure the information on your request form matches what’s on the result webpage, and that the webpage isn’t owned by a government or educational institution. This usually takes a few days."
What if you see a search result about you and it doesn't necessarily have your contact information, but it has other information you definitely want removed from the result listings? It's a longer process, but it's possible. "If a result shows personal information about you that isn’t your contact info, you can ask to have it removed by using the detailed removal request form," the site explains.
Related: Here's Exactly How To Block 'Potential Scam' or 'Scam Likely' Calls
New Privacy Controls Launching Soon
According to Google's recent announcement regarding "Results about you," they share, "We've significantly updated and improved the tool, helping you keep track of your personal contact information in Search and alerting you when we find it, so you can get it removed."
Google explains that "in the coming days," they'll roll out a new dashboard that will be able to notify you "if web results with your contact information are showing up on Search." You'll be able to request the removal right then, right from the tool, so you don't have to do any Google searching yourself.
It will be available in English in the United States to start, but they're planning to expand this feature soon.
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