How can I get a webpage removed from Google search results?

The way most people find copyright infringement is by using Google search. This is because one of the main reasons for the theft and illegal re-publication (copyright infringement) on the internet is SEO (search engine optimization). A lot of content is stolen and republished in order to gain site traffic through clicks from Google search.

To get a website/webpage removed from Google search results you need to conduct a DMCA Takedown.

Start here - Takedown Sign Up and complete the form.

If you have found your stolen content published on another site without your permission, DMCA.com can help. Simply submit the name and location of where you found your stolen content and we will go to work on your behalf.

Who needs webpages removed from Google search results?

1. People that have found their personal content (pictures or videos) hosted on another website without their permission.
2. Organizations (corporate and non-profit) that found their content (as listed below) published on another website without their permission, in order to steal business, traffic or SEO rankings.

If these examples describe you, DMCA.com can help.

Some examples of stolen content that we work with everyday are:

1. Pictures - of you, taken by you, owned by you
2. Videos - of you, taken by you, owned by you
3. Graphics
4. Text
5. Games
6. Advertising
7. Applications
8. Programs
9. Profiles or Bio's - personal or corporate
10. etc.

What is a DMCA Takedown request from Google search results?

Once content is removed from a website it is also removed from Google results in time. The DMCA Takedown request process is a well-established and accepted internet standard followed by website owners and internet service providers everywhere. When content is removed from a website or internet platform at the request of the owner of the content. Any owner of content has the right to process a takedown notice against a website owner and/or an Online Service Provider (e.g., ISP, hosting company etc.) if the content owner's property is found online without their permission.

Click here to Start Your Takedown

What do I need to do to remove a webpage from Google search results?

To start, three main pieces of information are needed:

1. Infringing and/or Stolen URLs

Questions to answer when providing the stolen photo links.

1. Where on the internet is your stolen photo located?
2. Was it on a social media website?
3. What is the link that you want the content removed from?

Be sure to provide the exact image link you want taken down.

An example link would look like: https://www.badguy_site.com/webpage/image_2

2. Source and/or Original URLs

Questions to answer when providing the original photos.

1. Where was the photo located when it was stolen?
2. Was it on your social media profile like Instagram or Reddit?
3. Was it from your own website?

Be sure to provide the exact URL where it was stolen from, even if the content has already been removed from its original location. The original URL is still valuable to the notice. If it was not online you can reference cell phone, computer, or camera etc. If it was online such as a website or cloud storage provide the link to the exact page it was stolen from. You can upload the original content to a cloud storage service and provide that URL with an explanation of where it was originally stolen from.

An example link would look like: https://share.icloud.com/photos/my_original_content

3. Ownership and/or Theft Description

Questions to answer when writing out the description:

1. Who is claiming ownership of the content?
2. Who is authorized to file the DMCA Takedown?
3. What is the content owner's name and how was the content stolen?
4. How is this content yours?
5. How do you own it?
6. Did you create it, buy it, copyright it?
7. When did you create the content and when was the content stolen?

An example description would sound like: "My photo I took of myself on my camera was stolen from my Google Drive and was posted on this website without my knowledge and I would like it removed."

If you are unsure how to collect the information for these three categories the Professional Takedown Team at DMCA.com can help with the answers. Click here to ask us about your situation.

Let us know if you need assistance finding this information when you submit your takedown request.

Who can request webpage removals from Google search results?

1. social media users and participants
2. copyright owners
3. content creators/owners
4. content publishers or distributors (with permission of the content or copyright owners)
5. code writers and publishers
6. NFT owners
7. subject contained within the content and published without permission (special considerations may be required)

If the lists above don't describe your situation by all means ask. Click here to Ask a question!

What kind of websites accept DMCA Takedown requests?

Infringing content is taken down from many different websites and platforms. Here is an example list where content is removed online:

1. by the by the ISP or Hosting company of the website that is publishing the infringing content. This occurs because the website owner has not voluntarily complied with a DMCA Notice and the ISP or Hosting company must comply with the Takedown notice.
2. by the website owner upon receipt of a DMCA Takedown Notice from the, or on behalf of, the content owner, distributor, publisher etc.
3. from a UCG (User Generated Content) Platform (like Facebook and TikTok), upon receipt of a DMCA Takedown Notice sent by or on behalf of the infringed content owner, distributor, publisher etc.
4. by the website owner, upon receipt of a DMCA Takedown Notice from the website owner's ISP / Hosting company. This would occur when ISP / Hosting company receives a notice sent by or on behalf of the content owner, distributor, publisher etc.
5. when an infringing website is taken down or taken "offline" by its ISP or Hosting company. This occurs because the website owner does not voluntarily comply with a Takedown notice as described above.

Which countries accept DMCA Takedown requests?

Most countries accept the standard DMCA Takedown Notice form and process. Although the DMCA Takedown is part of US Copyright law, a DMCA Takedown Notice is often used and accepted throughout the world and not exclusive to the United States. However, many countries have their own copyright laws specifically related to the removal of content from internet service providers and site owners within their borders. Which service providers do and do not accept the standard DMCA takedown notice form and process is dynamic and constantly changing. DMCA.com professionals are aware of these constant changes and are able to convert the information submitted through the standard DMCA Takedown signup form to suit specific countries and/or service providers within the legal process they require.

Related DMCA Takedown FAQ's

1. What is the DMCA Protected Badge
2. What is DMCA Protection
3. What is DMCA Takedowns
4. What is DMCA.com
5. What is DMCA Protected Certificate
6. What is DMCA Website Certificate
7. What is DMCA Website Status Page and Protection Certificate