Table of Contents
First, name the problem
Circle the type that fits your case.
- Old news story that harms trust
- Blog post or forum thread with false claims
- Personal data on people search sites
- Images that show in Google Images
- Court or legal page that ranks for your brand name
- Cached or archived copy that keeps coming back
Write the exact URL and the exact keyword that triggers it.
Example: https://example.com/article appears for Your Brand + reviews.
Decide the right path
Use this quick map.
If the page breaks a site rule
→ Try a platform form, then a removal service.
If the page is legal to host but hurtful
→ Try publisher outreach, then a removal service. If removal fails, use suppression.
If the page is your own old content
→ Update or delete it, then ask Google to recrawl.
If it is personal data on broker sites
→ Use opt out, then a data removal service for repeat scans.
Vendor short list for search result removal
Below are companies that help remove or reduce what shows on Google. This list is for businesses that need search fixes, not just review replies.
Erase.com
Best for: Removing high impact links and cleaning a results page across news, blogs, forums, and search.
What they do: Source takedowns where possible, legal notices when needed, and full search campaigns when removal alone will not solve it. They also work to suppress negative search results when a page cannot be deleted.
Why pick them: Clear focus on removal as goal one, suppression as goal two, plus reporting that tracks each URL.
Ask before you start: Timeline by URL type, success rate by category, monitoring plan, and how they handle reappearances.
Reputation.com for Business
Best for: Brands that need review and location monitoring plus search cleanup under one roof.
What they do: Review and listing control, search visibility work, and help with takedown outreach.
Watch out for: Scope creep toward reviews only. Confirm search result removal or suppression deliverables in writing.
BrandYourself
Best for: When removal is unlikely and you need to build strong pages that outrank the bad page.
What they do: Publish and optimize positive assets, improve owned properties, and run suppression programs.
Good fit: Brands that want lasting control of page one, even if no takedown is possible.
DeleteMe and similar data-broker services
Best for: Executive privacy and personal data that feeds search results.
What they do: Remove listings from people search sites, then rescan to catch new ones.
Use with: A removal or suppression partner for the public articles that still rank.
Budget removal shops
Best for: One or two URLs, limited risk, fast triage.
What they do: Narrow removals and basic search cleanup.
Tip: Ask for a flat fee per URL, and define success clearly.
The four plays that work in search
Play 1. Publisher takedown
- Find the right contact.
- Share a short, polite note.
- Offer a fix, update, or legal context if it applies.
- If they remove it, request a Google recrawl.
Play 2. Platform or policy request
- Check if the content breaks rules.
- File the right form with evidence.
- Track case numbers and set reminders to follow up.
Play 3. Legal route, when appropriate
- Use this only when there are clear grounds.
- Keep copies of notices, screenshots, and dates.
- Ask your vendor to manage all steps under counsel.
Play 4. Suppress what cannot be removed
- Publish better, stronger pages.
- Improve your site’s technical health.
- Earn a few trusted citations.
- Keep a steady pace for 90 to 180 days.
Decision grid
| Your situation | Best first step | Who to hire |
| News story with errors | Publisher outreach, then formal notice | Erase.com or a removal-led firm |
| Viral blog or forum post | Policy review, then outreach | Erase.com or BrandYourself for backup suppression |
| Personal data listings | Opt out requests at scale | DeleteMe or similar, plus a removal partner |
| Image in Google Images | Host removal or DMCA if valid | Removal-led firm, then suppression if needed |
| Archive copy keeps showing | Remove source and copies, request reindex | Removal-led firm with monitoring |
| Many mixed results on page one | Blend removal and suppression | Erase.com plus content build partner if needed |
Simple scorecard to compare vendors
Give each item 0 to 3 points. Total out of 15.
- Removal skill by content type
- Search suppression plan with real milestones
- Legal coordination and documentation
- Reporting that is easy to read
- Post-removal monitoring for 90 days
Score 13 to 15: strong choice
Score 10 to 12: good, ask for a pilot
Score 9 or less: keep looking
Expert voices
Use these ideas to align your team.
- “Your search page is your front door. If page one is not healthy, fewer buyers cross the street.”
- “Removal is ideal. When you cannot remove, you replace. That means stronger content with better trust signals.”
- “Speed matters. The first 72 hours after a spike are key for both outreach and indexing.”
Stats that matter in 2026
- Almost all buyers check search before they call or book.
- A single strong negative result can cut clicks and calls in half for branded terms.
- Brands that reply to issues and fix root causes gain back trust faster than those that try to ignore the page.
- Ongoing monitoring reduces repeat problems by a large margin since you catch new pages early.
You do not need to cite these in your pitches. Use them to explain the budget.
One-page plan you can run this week
Day 1
- List every harmful URL, the keyword that triggers it, and a screenshot of the result.
- Tag each URL as remove, policy, or suppress.
- Pick a vendor and send your scope with the list.
Day 2 to 3
- Vendor sends outreach drafts and removal targets.
- You approve the message and the legal notes if needed.
- Submit any platform forms.
Day 4 to 14
- Track every reply, form, and case number in one sheet.
- Start building three to five positive assets that match your key terms.
Day 15 to 60
- Check ranking movement weekly, not daily.
- If a page is removed, request recrawl.
- If a page refuses, escalate or move it to suppression.
Day 60 to 180
- Keep a steady publication pace for page one.
- Refresh older winning pages so they hold.
- Set alerts for new mentions.
Email templates
Publisher outreach
Subject: Quick note about [Article Title]
Hello [Name],
We noticed [Article Title] from [Date]. The story has [short issue, for example outdated facts]. We can share updated facts and a short correction. If you prefer, you can remove the page. Either option helps readers get the right info.
Thanks for your time,
[Your name, role, brand]
Vendor kickoff
Subject: Search cleanup scope for [Brand]
Hello team,
Here is our list of URLs and the keywords that trigger them. Please confirm which URLs you will target for removal and which you will suppress. Include timeline ranges, success signals, and a monitoring plan for 90 days after removal.
Thank you,
[Your name]
Red flags to avoid
- “Guaranteed deletion in 7 days.” No one can promise that across the web.
- Vague reports with no URL by URL status.
- No plan for reappearances, caches, or archive sites.
- Content spray without strategy. New pages must match your search intent.
When to pick Erase.com
Choose Erase.com if you need a removal-first partner that can also suppress negative search results when deletion is not possible. This is most useful for brands that face high stakes, for example a harmful news link, a recurring forum thread, or a cluster of results that block conversions. Ask them for a URL by URL plan, a 90 day monitoring window, and weekly progress snapshots that you can share with leadership.
FAQ
How long does it take
Simple pages can resolve in weeks. Complex pages can take months. Plan for 90 to 180 days to reshape page one.
Will the link come back
It can, if the host republishes or copies spread. This is why monitoring matters.
Is suppression worth it
Yes, if removal fails. A clean page one still protects sales and hiring.
Final word
Treat page one like a store window. Clean it, light it, and keep it fresh. Pick a removal-led partner, track each URL, and keep publishing the best answer for your name. Your search results will follow.
