How to Remove an Article From the Internet and Google

Reviewed by Joseph Chierotti, CEO, Defamation Defenders · Updated October 2026 · 8 min read

Short answer

To remove an article, ask the publisher first: many will update it with the outcome, remove your name, or unpublish it, especially if it’s outdated, inaccurate, or about dismissed charges. Once the article is changed or removed, use Google’s Refresh Outdated Content tool to update or clear the search result. If the publisher refuses, a court order may help for defamatory content, and search suppression can push the article off page one.

Key takeaways

Publishers control articles; Google only controls search results.
Updates and anonymization are easier to get than full removal.
Dismissals, expungements, and factual errors make your request stronger.
Google’s Refresh Outdated Content tool clears results for changed or removed pages.
Suppression is the fallback when an article stays up.

Step 1: Ask the publisher

Find the right contact

The editor, standards editor, or corrections contact, not the reporter’s social media.

Be specific

Identify the article, the problem, and what you want: update, anonymize, or remove.

Provide proof

Court dispositions, expungement orders, or documents showing errors.

Stay professional

Short, factual, and polite.

Step 2: Remove or update it in Google

If the publisher removes or changes the article, Google’s Refresh Outdated Content tool lets you request an update to the cached snippet or removal of the dead URL. If the page breaks Google’s policies, for example by exposing certain personal information, you can request removal directly.

Want an article removed or updated?

Our news article removal service works with publishers on updates, anonymization, and removal, then cleans up Google.

See News Article Removal Call 1-800-785-1749

If the publisher says no

Defamatory content: a court order may compel removal or support Google de-indexing.
Copies on other sites: scraper sites often remove copies on request.
Suppression: push the article down with stronger results.

Blog posts and smaller sites

Blogs are often easier: contact the author or the web host, especially if the post breaks the host’s terms. See our blog post removal service.

Article removal FAQs

Can I get a news article about me removed?

Sometimes. Publishers often update or anonymize outdated stories, and some unpublish them.

How do I remove an article from Google?

Get it removed or changed at the source, then use Google’s Refresh Outdated Content tool.

Will a newspaper remove an article about my arrest?

Many will update it with the outcome or anonymize it, especially if charges were dismissed or expunged.

What if the publisher refuses?

Consider a court order for defamatory content, or push the article down with suppression.

Get an article removed or updated

Send us the link. We’ll tell you the best approach.

Get My Free Review Call 1-800-785-1749

Defamation Defenders is an online reputation management company, not a law firm. This article is general information, not legal advice.