Sunday, February 15, 2026

How to Remove Your Explicit Content from Google Search Results

How to Remove Your Explicit Content from Google Search Results

Take control of your digital footprint by requesting the removal of sensitive personal images and information from Google Search results.

Byline: By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor
February 15, 2026


Google
Have you ever searched for your own name only to find a photo that felt like a punch to the gut? 

Perhaps it is an old image shared without your consent that you never intended to be public. 

In an era where a digital first impression is often the only one that counts, finding explicit personal content of yourself online is more than just embarrassing. 

It is a security risk and a violation of privacy. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Remove the Content from Google.

Google has significantly expanded its toolset to help users claw back their privacy, but many people still believe that once something is on the internet, it stays there forever. 

That is not entirely true. 

While Google cannot delete a file from a third-party website server, it can effectively bury the link so it no longer appears in search results for the world to see.

Remove Explicit Images from Google Search Results

Feature Explanation

Google provides a specialized "Request Removal" framework designed to protect users from the non-consensual sharing of explicit imagery.

This feature works by allowing individuals to submit a formal request to Google's privacy team. 

Once a request is vetted and approved, Google de-indexes the specific URL. 

This means the content will not show up when someone searches for your name or related terms. 

It covers various categories, including non-consensual explicit imagery (often referred to as "revenge porn"), and imagery involving minors.

What You’ll Gain
  • Privacy Restoration: Remove links to sensitive images shared without your permission.
  • Reputation Management: Clean up search results that might negatively impact your career or personal life.
  • Safety Improvements: Reduce the risk of harassment by removing explicit information from public view.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

Microsoft Web/Desktop
  1. Navigate to Google Image Search and find the explicit image you wish to remove.
  2. Click on the three dots (⋮) located on the image result.
  3. Select the option labeled "Remove result."
  4. Choose the specific reason: "It shows a sexual image of me."
  5. Follow any additional prompts to confirm your identity and the context of the image.
  6. Submit the request.
Remove Explicit Images from Google Search Results

fig. 1 - Remove Explicit Images from Google Search Results


iOS
  1. Open the Google App or Safari and perform a search to locate the image.
  2. Tap the three dots (⋮) in the corner of the image.
  3. Tap on "Remove result."
  4. Select "It shows a sexual image of me" from the list of reasons.
  5. Complete the submission process. 

Android
  1. Open the Google App and search for the content.
  2. Tap the three dots (⋮) on the image result.
  3. Select "Remove result."
  4. Tap the option "It shows a sexual image of me."
  5. Confirm the request to send it to the Google privacy team for review.

Pros and Cons

Pro: 
  • Highly effective at preventing the general public from finding harmful content through casual searches.
  • The process is free and does not require a lawyer.

Con: 
  • The content remains on the original website; Google only removes the link from its own index.
  • Sophisticated users may still find the content through other search engines or by visiting the host site directly.

Feature Access

This feature is available globally to all users with a Google account. 

Anyone, regardless of subscription status, can use the web-based removal forms.

Score

Criterion  |  Score (0–10)  |  Justification

Value 10
This is a critical safety tool for victims of privacy violations.

Usability 8
The forms are straightforward, though finding the exact URLs can be tricky for some.

Wow Factor 7
It is a powerful relief to see a harmful link disappear from the world's largest search engine.

Total: 25/30  🌟 Excellent
An essential privacy tool that every internet user should know how to navigate in an emergency.

Key Takeaways

This tool empowers you to take ownership of your digital identity by removing harmful or non-consensual links from Google. 

While it does not delete the source file, it removes the "road map" that leads people to it.

Cool Tip Snapshot
  • Feature Name: Google Remove Result Tool
  • Platform(s): Web, iOS, Android
  • Quick Benefit: Hides explicit or private info from Google Search results.
  • Access Type: Free

Try It Yourself

Go ahead and search for your own name today.

If you find something that shouldn't be there, use the Google Removal tool to clean it up. 

Don't forget to subscribe to the One Cool Tip newsletter for more ways to stay safe online, and share this with a friend who might need a digital refresh!


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Have a great tip or tech question?

Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.



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