Have you ever Googled yourself and felt a cold sweat roll down your spine? Maybe an old phone number you haven’t used in years is plastered across the web, or an embarrassing photo from your high school days keeps popping up. It feels like your personal information is out there for the world to see, and you have no control.

Well, fret no more, my friends! Google, in a rare act of data democratization, has rolled out a tool called “Results about you” that empowers you to take back some control over your online presence.

Hallelujah!

This might sound too good to be true, but it’s not. Here’s the lowdown on this game-changer and how you can leverage it:

What is “Results about you?”

It’s a feature within the Google app (available on iOS and Android) and a dedicated web portal that allows you to request the removal of your personal contact information from Google Search results. This includes your phone number, home address, and email address.

How Does it Work?

1. Access the Tool: There are two ways to get to “Results about you”:
   • On the Google App: Open the app, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, and select “Results about you.”
   • On the Web: Head over to https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/12719076?hl=en.
2. Search and Request: Once you’re in, you can search for results containing your information. If you find something you want removed, simply click the three dots next to the result and select “Remove result.”
3. Google Takes Action: Google will then review your request to ensure it meets their removal guidelines (mostly focused on personal contact information, not general mentions of your name). If approved, the information will be scrubbed from search results.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind:

• Google Doesn’t Delete the Initial Source of Information: It’s important to understand that Google is only removing the information from its search results, not deleting it from the website itself. If you want it completely gone from the internet, you might need to contact the website owner directly.
• Limited Scope (for Now): Currently, this feature focuses on personal contact information. However, Google might expand it to cover other types of data in the future. Stay tuned!

Spread the Word!

This is a big deal, folks. By sharing this information, we can empower others to take control of their online data and protect their privacy. So, spread the word! Tell your friends, family, anyone who might be worried about their digital footprint. Let’s make Google’s “Results about you” a household name (and maybe hold them accountable for expanding its functionality in the future).

A new Search tool to help control your online presence

A new tool in Google Search can help you easily control whether your personally\u002Didentifiable information can be found in Search results.

Remember, knowledge is power, and with this tool, we can finally take a step towards a more privacy-conscious web. Now go forth and Google-fy yourselves responsibly!