How to Control Digital Footprint on Google

Teuku.Net - Google recently announced a new Search feature that alerts users when their personal contact information appears in Google Search queries. 

How to Control Digital Footprint on Google

The "Results About You" feature not only lets users see when and where their contact information appears in the search engine. But it also offers the option to remove the page from Google results.

"Results About You" is also very helpful for users who have been, or are at risk of being, doxed. With this feature, users can control their digital footprint.

As for using this feature, of course, users must activate it first. And most importantly, users need to make sure they have a Google account.

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How to Activate the Results About You Feature

  1. Open the Results About You activity page.
  2. Click "Get Started" and follow the on-screen instructions.
  3. Google will ask users to add any contact information they want to tag. Users can add name, address, phone number, and email.
  4. Confirm the information and select how the user wants to be notified by Google. Google can send the results to an email associated with a Google account or send push notifications to devices linked to a Google account.
  5. Google will automatically scan Search results for users personal information and alert users if it finds anything. The company says the initial scan could take several hours.
  6. Return to the Results About You page at any time to edit contact information.

How to Remove Personal Information from Search

Google does not have the ability to remove any information or images from non-Google sites. However, Google can help users remove personal contact information results from the Google Search page.

The way to ask Google to remove personal information from search results is as follows.
  • Go to the Results About You activity page.
  • Select "Results to review."
  • Check the blue box next to any results you want to request to be removed.
  • Submit the request.
Google will then review each request according to its policy requirements for removal. The status of the request can be viewed on the Results For You page, as well as the option to cancel the removal.

In addition, users can also request deletion of information through the Google Help Center deletion form. The method is as follows.
  • Open the Google support personal content removal form.
  • Fill in the requested information, including the type of content. Google may request screenshots, URLs to search results pages, and specific search terms used to populate results.
  • Once filled out, submit the form.
Hopefully you can use the Result About You feature wisely.

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