Design, art, architecture, and tech—these are creative fields. But even creatives have to manage their online presence. Especially when something personal shows up on Google.
It might be your home address, phone number, financial info, or a photo you didn’t post. Once it’s on the internet, it often ends up in search. That’s a problem.
Here’s how to remove sensitive data from search engines and protect your online image.
Why It Matters for Creatives
If you’re part of the urdesignmag community, your work lives online. Whether you’re an architect, designer, artist, or tech founder, people Google you.
Potential clients, collaborators, and media outlets search your name before reaching out. If what they find includes private details, it damages trust. It can also lead to identity theft, doxxing, or personal stress.
According to Pew Research, 60% of people have searched their own name online. Over 33% found personal information they didn’t expect. That’s more than one in three people.
What Counts as Sensitive Info
Not everything you want hidden qualifies as sensitive. Google and other search engines follow strict rules. Here’s what they usually consider removable:
- Government ID numbers
- Bank account or credit card numbers
- Personal contact info (phone number, home address, email)
- Login credentials
- Medical records
- Explicit images shared without permission
- Signatures
This also includes doxxing—when someone posts your info to cause harm.
You can’t remove something just because it’s negative or embarrassing. But if it meets these criteria, you’ve got a good shot.
Step 1: Search Yourself in Private Mode
Start by seeing what others see. Use Incognito Mode or Private Browsing. That way your search history doesn’t affect the results.
Search for:
- Your full name
- Your name + city
- Your name + email or phone number
- Your name + “leak” or “exposed”
- Your brand or company name
Make a list of every link that includes personal or sensitive info. Screenshot the results and copy the URLs. You’ll need them for removal requests.
Step 2: Ask the Website to Take It Down
Search engines pull results from public websites. If you get the site to remove the content, Google will drop it automatically.
How to ask:
- Find a contact page or email on the site
- Explain what info you want removed
- Include the link
- Stay calm and polite
- Mention privacy laws if it helps (especially in the EU or California)
Some websites will ignore you. But many will remove personal data—especially if it wasn’t meant to be public.
One designer I know had their full résumé with address and phone number posted on an old college project site. A simple email got it taken down in two days.
Step 3: Request Removal from Google
If the website won’t take it down—or it’s still showing in search after being deleted—you can go straight to Google.
Use this tool:
Google’s Personal Info Removal Tool
Google will ask:
- What kind of info is visible
- Whether it poses a risk
- Screenshots or links to the content
- Your full name and the reason for the request
Make sure your explanation is clear. Don’t exaggerate, but do mention if you feel unsafe or if the info was shared without permission.
How long it takes:
Google usually replies within 7 to 14 days. If approved, the content will disappear from search results—though it may still exist on the site itself.
Step 4: Request Removal from Bing and Other Engines
Google is the biggest, but not the only one. Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo also index content.
Use Bing’s content removal request page to report similar issues. They follow many of the same rules as Google.
If you’re in the EU, GDPR laws may let you request removal under the “right to be forgotten.” This applies to both search engines and the original sites.
Step 5: Suppress What You Can’t Remove
Not all content comes down. Some sites don’t respond. Some don’t break the rules but still feel invasive. That’s when suppression helps.
Create and publish new content
The goal is to push the bad results lower in search. Focus on:
- Your personal website
- Blog posts
- Project showcases
- LinkedIn and Medium articles
- Press features
- Public speaking clips or portfolio updates
Use your full name in the headline and description. Google ranks fresh, useful content higher.
One artist buried an old forum post linking to their home address by starting a blog about their design process. After three months, the blog ranked higher than the forum—and the sensitive link dropped off page one.
Step 6: Use a Professional Removal Service
Some cases need expert help. If the data is tied to a legal issue, harassment, or revenge posting, it’s best to bring in the pros.
A content removal service can:
- Handle all the legal takedown requests
- Contact the site on your behalf
- Submit forms to search engines
- Create strong content that replaces the bad link
These services cost money but save time and stress. Just make sure the company is reputable. Look for ones that offer real timelines and success stories—not big promises with no proof.
One important tip: If you’re trying to delete google search results, don’t trust anyone who says they can do it overnight. That’s not how search works.
Stay Protected Going Forward
Removing content is only half the job. You also need to watch your name and brand going forward.
Set up alerts
Use Google Alerts to track your name, email, and brand. You’ll get a message any time new content shows up.
Use strong privacy settings
Be careful what you post on public platforms. Avoid putting your phone number, full address, or private links in public forums or comments.
Monitor your name monthly
Do a quick search every 30 days. Look for anything new. The sooner you catch something, the faster you can remove or hide it.
Final Thoughts
In creative fields like architecture, art, design, and tech, your online image matters. You work hard to build your brand—so don’t let one piece of sensitive info ruin it.
Act fast. Stay organized. Be consistent. And when needed, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Your work deserves attention. Your personal data doesn’t. Keep the focus on what you create, not what someone else posted.