Google Results About You: Step-by-Step Guide

Google’s “Results about you” tool shows where your personal information (like your phone number, home address, or email) appears in Google Search. You can request removal of sensitive results, set up alerts for new appearances, and monitor your online footprint. You’ll need a Google account and access to the Google app or web search.

What You’ll Need

A Google account (you’ll be signed in)
The Google app on your phone (or use the web at google.com)
Your personal info that you want to track (e.g., phone number, address, email)

Step-by-Step

Open the tool. On your phone, open the Google app. Tap your profile picture (top right), then select “Results about you.” On desktop, go to google.com, click “Settings” at the bottom, then “Results about you.”
Sign in if asked. Make sure you’re using the Google account you want to associate with the tool.
Start monitoring. If you’re new, tap “Get started” or “Turn on.” You’ll see options to add your personal info.
Add your info. Tap “Add personal info” and choose from categories: phone number, home address, email, or other. Enter the exact info you want to track (e.g., your mobile number with country code). You can add multiple entries.
Review results. Google will search for that info and show you a list of URLs where it appears. You’ll see the page title, link, and a snippet. This may take a few minutes.
Request removal of a result. For each result you want gone, tap the three-dot menu next to it and select “Remove result.” You’ll be asked to confirm and provide a reason (e.g., “This shows my personal info”).
Wait for review. Google will review your request. You’ll get an email and a notification in the tool. If approved, the result is removed from Search (it may take a few days to disappear).
Set up alerts. In the tool, toggle on “Email me when new results appear.” You’ll get alerts when Google finds your info on new pages.
Check back regularly. New sites can appear. Revisit the tool monthly to review and remove any new results.

Common Mistakes

Not being signed in: The tool only works when you’re logged into your Google account.
Adding too broad info (e.g., just “John Smith”) – you’ll get irrelevant results. Use exact, unique info like your full phone number.
Requesting removal of results that aren’t actually your personal info – Google will reject those.
Expecting instant removal – it can take days or weeks for Google to process and for the result to disappear from Search.
Forgetting to turn on alerts – you’ll miss new appearances.

Tips

Add all your common variations: with and without country code, with and without area code.
Use the “Other” category for usernames or nicknames that are unique to you.
If a result is on a site that also has your info in multiple pages, remove each one individually.
Combine this with Google Alerts (separate tool) for broader monitoring of your name.
After removal, the info may still be on the original website – you can contact the site owner to remove it from the source.

Troubleshooting

Tool not showing any results: Wait a few minutes; Google may still be searching. Also check that you spelled your info correctly.
Removal request rejected: Google may deem the result not sensitive enough (e.g., a public record). You can still contact the website directly to ask for removal.
Can’t find the tool: On desktop, scroll to the bottom of Google Search homepage and look for “Settings” – it’s in the footer. If not, try the Google app on mobile.
Alerts not arriving: Check your Gmail spam folder, and make sure notifications are enabled in the tool.
Result reappears: The site may have been re-indexed. Remove it again, or consider contacting the site owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “Results about you” free?

Yes, it’s a free tool from Google available to anyone with a Google account.

Will removing a result delete it from the internet?

No, it only removes it from Google Search results. The content still exists on the original website.

Can I track someone else’s info?

No, you can only track your own personal information. You need to be signed in to your account.

How long does removal take?

Typically a few days to a few weeks, depending on the request and Google’s review process.

What if the result is on a government or public record site?

Google may not remove public records. You can try contacting the site directly, but they may be legally required to publish it.

Does this work for images too?

Yes, you can request removal of images that show your personal info, but the process is the same.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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