How to Permanently Remove Your Photos From Google Images

You Googled yourself and there it was – that embarrassing photo you never wanted anyone to see, now displayed front and center in Google Images for the world to find. Maybe it’s an unflattering picture from your college days that you thought was long buried. Or a sensitive personal photo posted without your consent.

You may have already tried contacting the website to take the photo down, but what if they refused or never responded? Don’t lose hope. As an internet law firm that has helped thousands of clients in your exact situation, we know that you still have options to remove that unwanted photo from Google searches and protect your online reputation.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the exact steps to get an image deleted from Google, even if you can’t get it removed from the original website. We’ll also share insider tips for handling complicated cases and keeping your photos from reappearing in the future. Armed with this knowledge, you can take back control and finally make that troublesome photo disappear.

How to Find All the Places a Photo Is Published Online

To remove an unwanted photo from Google search results, you need to find every website where it appears and request removal from each webmaster. Here’s how to conduct a thorough search:

1. Right-click the photo and select “Copy Image Address” to get the direct URL.
2. Go to Google Images (images.google.com), click the camera icon, paste the image URL, and click Search to see all indexed web pages with the exact image.
3. Click “View All Sizes” to display different dimensions and file types of the image found across the web.
4. Open each version in a new tab to see the full web page. Note the website and specific page URL for contacting the webmaster.
5. Upload the image file directly to Google Images to find any additional cropped or modified versions (optional).
6. Repeat the process with other search engines like Bing and Yandex.
7. Search for the image on social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) and report it to the platform and individual account owners if found.

Once you have a complete list of URLs containing the photo, you can start contacting webmasters to get it removed at the source. Be patient, as the process may take some time, but it’s essential for keeping the photo from resurfacing in search results.

How to Request Removal from Website Owners

Now that you’ve identified all the sites publishing the unwanted photo, it’s time to reach out to the individual webmasters and request they remove it. Appealing directly to the source should always be your first step. If you can get the webmaster to take down the photo, it will naturally disappear from Google search results without needing to involve Google at all. Here are the key steps to contacting webmasters:

Step 1: Identify The Best Contact Information For Each Site Owner

Check the site’s Contact Us page, Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, or About section. Look for an email address, contact form, or DMCA agent. If the site lists a physical address or phone number but no email, try searching the domain in ICANN’s WHOIS database (lookup.icann.org) to find the registered owner’s contact email. You may need to reach out through multiple channels.

Step 2: Craft A Clear, Concise Removal Request Email

• In creating a removal request email, follow these guidelines:
• Identify yourself and your relationship to the photo
• Specify the exact URL where the photo appears on their site
• Explain that you did not consent to the photo being published and request that it be removed
• Cite any relevant copyright violations or privacy rights that the photo infringes on
• Set a firm deadline for them to comply (e.g. 48 hours) before you escalate to legal action
• Attach a screenshot of the page for reference

Here’s a template you can customize:

Subject Line: Request to Remove Unauthorized Personal Photo

Dear [Webmaster Name or Site Owner],

I am writing to request the immediate removal of a personal photograph of me that appears without my consent on your website at this URL: [insert URL]

The photo, showing [brief description], was published without my knowledge or permission. I have attached a screenshot for reference. As the subject of the photograph, I maintain the exclusive rights to determine where my likeness appears. Publishing this photo without my consent is a violation of my privacy and publicity rights.

Please remove the photo from the webpage and any other instances where it appears on [Website Name] within the next 48 hours. If you do not comply with this takedown request within two business days, I will be forced to pursue further legal action to have the photo removed.

Please reply to this email confirming you have removed the photo once the removal is complete. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

If you don’t hear back within a few days, follow up with a second email. Reiterate your removal request and remind them of the deadline before you take legal action. Be persistent if needed. Some webmasters may ignore initial outreach but comply when they recognize you’re serious.

Step 3: Send An Official DMCA Takedown Notice (If Applicable)

You can also send an official DMCA takedown notice. This only applies if you own the copyright to the photo, like if you took the picture yourself. In these cases, the site is legally required to remove the infringing content promptly. Include the following in your notice:

• Your contact information
• The URL where the copyrighted photo appears
• A statement that you have a good faith belief the photo is not authorized by the copyright owner
• A statement that the information in the notice is accurate
• Your physical or electronic signature

Step 4: Escalate to the Site’s Web Hosting Company

In rare cases, you may need to escalate to the site’s web hosting company. If the site owner refuses to engage or remove the photo after repeated outreach, complain to their hosting provider that the site is violating your privacy rights. Most hosts have strict policies against non-consensual content and will force the site owner to remove it or face suspension. Search the host’s site for their abuse reporting process.

If you successfully get the webmaster to remove the photo, congratulations! You can now move on to requesting removal from Google Search directly to clean up any lingering cached results. If the webmaster is unresponsive or refuses your removal request, don’t worry. You still have options to get the photo out of Google searches even if you can’t get it taken down from the original site. We’ll cover how to submit a request to Google next.

What If the Webmaster and Host Won’t Remove the Photo?

If you’ve diligently reached out to a webmaster to remove your personal photo from their site and they ignore you or refuse, don’t despair. You’re not out of options. In many cases, you can still get the photo removed from Google search results even if the original site won’t cooperate.

Google allows individuals to request the removal of sensitive personal information from its search results. While getting the photo taken down from the initial website is always preferable, making it unsearchable and undiscoverable in Google is a strong secondary measure. The vast majority of people rely exclusively on Google searches to find information. Removing the photo there can effectively shield it from most of the public.

In the next section, we’ll walk through the steps to submit this removal request to Google.

How to Remove a Photo From Google Search Results

Before we dive into the specifics of submitting a removal request to Google, it’s important to understand their criteria for what qualifies for removal. Google is generally reluctant to remove information from search results unless it poses a serious risk to someone’s safety or livelihood. They aim to balance privacy concerns with the public’s right to access information.

For an image removal request to be approved, it must contain “sensitive personal information” that creates significant risks. As covered above, this includes:

• Confidential government ID numbers
• Financial and medical records
• Private contact information
• Nude or sexually explicit images published without consent
• Images that enable identity theft, fraud, stalking or harassment
• Images that violate child protection laws

How to Increase the Odds of Google Granting Your Removal Request

Google is most likely to approve requests where the photo creates a threat to your physical safety, like revenge porn, or a risk of serious professional harm, like a photo exposing your confidential client list. They’re less likely to remove an unflattering but benign photo that you simply dislike.

The photo also must appear in Google search results for a query that includes your name or other identifying information. Google will not remove an image that only appears for general non-name queries. The photo has to be discoverable when someone searches your name specifically.

To increase the odds of Google granting your request, you’ll need to:

1. Demonstrate how the photo exposes sensitive personal information, not just that you object to it. Cite the specific Google policy it violates.
2. Specify the serious risks the photo exposes you to, like doxxing, identity theft, stalking or reputational destruction. Use concrete examples if you’ve already experienced threats or abuse.
3. Prove the photo is non-consensual or being used maliciously against you by explaining the context of how it was obtained and published.
4. Show how the photo is not newsworthy, in the public interest or otherwise protected speech. Argue that any public value is outweighed by the threat to your safety and privacy.
5. Provide documentation of previous attempts to remove the photo from the source site to show the webmaster is uncooperative and intervention is needed.

While Google carefully evaluates each request, providing this level of compelling evidence and argument gives you the best chance of having the photo removed from search results. Simply being embarrassed by a photo is not enough; it must pose real and serious damage to your well-being.

What to Do If Google Denies Your Request

Despite your best efforts to present a compelling case, Google may still reject your request to remove a personal photo from search results. While undoubtedly frustrating, a denial from Google isn’t necessarily the end of the road. You still have options to protect your privacy and keep fighting to get the image removed.

We recommend taking these steps if Google denies your initial request:

Step 1: File An Appeal Of The Decision

If Google rejects your initial removal request, you can file an appeal if you have additional information to provide. In your appeal, directly address the reason for the denial and present new evidence or arguments to counter it. Your goal should be to correct any deficiencies in your original request and build an even stronger case for removal.

Step 2: Submit A New Request With More Context

Instead of filing a formal appeal, you can submit a new removal request with more context and stronger arguments. Use Google’s feedback about what was missing from your first request to guide your revisions. Provide more details about how the photo violates your privacy, the threats it exposes you to, and documentation of any actual harm it has already caused. Make a stronger argument for why the public interest in the photo is outweighed by the damage to your safety and well-being. Be sure to correct any issues with verifying your identity or authority to request removal.

Step 3: Escalate The Issue To Google’s Legal Department

If the photo clearly violates the law, such as non-consensual pornography or an image enabling identity theft and fraud, consider escalating the issue to Google’s legal team. This approach is more likely to be effective if you have a court order or judgment related to the photo, like a restraining order against the person who published it. If you took the photo yourself and own the rights, you can also try reporting it as a copyright violation to Google.

Step 4: Pursue Legal Action Against The Site Owner

While Google is generally cooperative in removing content that violates its policies, they are not a court of law. For serious ongoing cases, legal action against the website owner may be necessary. An experienced internet attorney can help you file a lawsuit and seek an injunction ordering the site owner to remove the photo. You may be able to sue for invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, intentional infliction of emotional distress, or other claims depending on the details of your case. A lawsuit shows Google that you’re serious about protecting your rights and reinforces the sensitive nature of the photo.

Step 5: Suppress The Photo In Search Results

If you are ultimately unsuccessful in getting the photo removed entirely, you can still lessen its impact by lowering its ranking and visibility in search results. Publish new, positive content associated with your name, such as professional profiles, articles, and images. Optimize this content with SEO tactics and link building to outrank the negative photo. By burying the unwanted photo deep in search results, fewer people will see it.

While frustrating, an initial removal request denial from Google doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Persistence, stronger evidence and exploring legal remedies can often still lead to the outcome you want.

How Long Does a Google Images Removal Take?

The time it takes for Google to process and act on an image removal request can vary significantly. Basic requests with clear evidence of policy violations are often reviewed within a few days. More complex cases requiring additional information or escalation to the legal team may stretch for several weeks.

Here’s a general breakdown of what to expect:

Initial review: 1-3 business days

• After you submit the request, it goes into a queue for Google’s content moderation team to assess
• Clear-cut cases of sensitive personal info or non-consensual explicit imagery are usually processed quickly
• If the photo obviously contains private data like financial details or exposes you to serious harm, the initial review may approve removal right away

Information gathering: 3 days to 2 weeks

• If the initial reviewer has questions or needs more context, they will temporarily deny the request and ask you for additional information
• Respond promptly and thoroughly to these inquiries to avoid unnecessary delays
• You may need to provide more evidence of how the photo violates Google’s policies or exposes you to actual threats and harm
• The reviewer will use your answers to make a final decision on the removal

Legal escalation: 2-4 weeks

• If the content moderation team ultimately denies your request but you believe it merits further consideration on legal grounds, you can escalate to Google’s legal department
• This may be an option if you have a court order related to the photo or are asserting copyright claims
• Google’s lawyers will review the case and make a final decision, but this takes longer than the standard process

Decision and enforcement: 1-2 days

• When your request is granted, either in the initial review or after providing more information, Google will send a decision email
• The photo will be removed from Google Images and other search results within 1-2 days

• In some cases, Google may temporarily remove the image during the review process while gathering more information
  • If the request is denied, you’ll receive an email explaining the rejection reason, usually within 1-2 days of the final decision

While Google doesn’t guarantee a specific timeline, the majority of straightforward requests are resolved within 1-2 weeks. More controversial or legally complex cases can take up to a month or longer.

But if you believe your legitimate, well-evidenced request is being stonewalled, consider talking to an attorney about potential legal remedies. In serious cases with an unresponsive webmaster, a court order may be the only way to compel Google to act quickly.

While you can’t fully control Google’s removal request timeline, you can control the quality of your request and your own actions in the meantime. Focus on submitting detailed, compelling evidence and arguments to give your request the best chance of speedy approval. And start working on your own suppression and reputation management efforts right away, so you’re taking proactive steps even while waiting on Google.

We Can Help You Take Back Control of Your Online Presence

Having an embarrassing or reputation-damaging photo rank prominently in Google Images can feel violating and hopeless. But you don’t have to accept it as permanent. By following the steps and expert tips outlined in this guide, you can remove an unwanted photo from Google search results and reclaim your online privacy.

Minc Law has helped thousands of clients fight back against online harassment, defamation and unwanted photos. We know how to navigate the complex removal process with Google, get uncooperative webmasters to respond, and pursue legal action when needed to protect your privacy rights.

While dealing with Google removals and monitoring your online presence does take persistent effort, you don’t have to go it alone. With the right knowledge, tools and support on your side, you can take back control of your digital reputation and move forward without the shadow of that bad photo haunting you.

If you’re struggling to get an embarrassing photo removed from Google searches or need guidance on managing your online presence, reach out to schedule a confidential consultation. We’ll review your unique situation, explain your options and create a tailored action plan to quickly resolve the unwanted exposure.

No one should have to stress over what an old photo might make others think about them. You deserve to live and grow without an unflattering image from your past defining your digital identity. Let us help you close this chapter and safeguard your online reputation for the long run.