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| Results about you notification |
Google is introducing a more user-friendly approach to help people manage their contact information in search results. With the latest update, Google will proactively notify users whenever it discovers their address, phone number, or email appearing on the internet.
Users can then access the "results about you" dashboard on both mobile and web to review the websites containing their information. From there, they have the option to request the removal of their contact details from the search results. This streamlined process eliminates the need for users to manually search for their personal information and manually submit removal requests.
The company aims to make it easier for users to manage their contact information on the web. Users can now receive notifications through Google's "results about you" dashboard on both mobile and web. By inputting their personal information, the dashboard will automatically search for websites containing matches and provide the option to review and request the removal of such information from the search results.
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| Dashboard |
This update represents a significant improvement over the previous process, where users had to manually search for their personal information and request its removal. Now, with the new feature, Google will send notifications to users when their contact details appear in search results, streamlining the process of finding and managing personal information. Users can also opt to receive push notifications for any future results, and track their removal requests through Google's hub.
Opening the Google app on Android and selecting the profile avatar in the top-right corner now reveals a new menu item called "Results about you." This option directs users to a page that provides information on how they can request Google to remove certain Search results that include their phone number, home address, email, or other personally identifiable information (PII).
If users come across content they wish to remove while browsing, they can tap on the three-dot overflow menu located in the top-right corner of each result. This action will open the existing "About this result" panel, and a new "Remove result" option will appear at the bottom of the screen.
Once the removal process is initiated, users can track its progress through the "Results about you" section. The page includes an "All requests" feed and offers filters like "In progress" and "Approved."
Additionally, users can make new removal requests on the same page. The process involves a guided walkthrough that includes a step asking users why they want to remove the specific result. The available options for the reason include showing personal contact information, displaying information with harmful intent, revealing other personal information, containing illegal content, or being outdated. This feature enables users to actively manage and safeguard their private data from being publicly visible in Google Search results.
The company previously explained
It’s important to note that when we receive removal requests, we will evaluate all content on the web page to ensure that we’re not limiting the availability of other information that is broadly useful, for instance in news articles. And of course, removing contact information from Google Search doesn’t remove it from the web, which is why you may wish to contact the hosting site directly, if you’re comfortable doing so.
However, it's essential to understand that removing information from Google does not guarantee complete erasure from the internet. Other websites may still contain the same information, and users should be cautious about their online presence. Additionally, there are certain limitations on the types of search results that Google can remove, such as those from governments or educational institutions.
The update is currently rolling out in the US in English, and Google plans to make it available in other countries and languages in the near future. The faster and more efficient process can be especially crucial for individuals concerned about privacy, particularly those who may be victims of doxxing.