Yes. Most people-search sites let you opt out of selling an existing listing, but you usually have to submit a separate request to each site. Opting out does not erase public records or guarantee that a listing will never return. California residents can also use the state’s free centralized DROP request for registered data brokers.
What an opt-out removes—and what it does not
An opt-out generally asks a people-search site to stop selling existing information about you. It is not a universal deletion of every fact about you or a removal from the entire internet. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) notes that a site may let you hide an address or phone number while retaining other information, and public records can still be found on government websites. FTC guidance on people-search sites
Removal from one broker also does not remove the same information from another broker’s listing, a relative’s or associate’s report, or a source record. New or changed public records may lead to a listing reappearing, so an opt-out may need to be repeated.
How to remove your information from people-search sites
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Find the listings
Search people-search sites for your name and identifying details, such as a current or former address or phone number. The FTC points readers who need help identifying sites to resources from the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the Minnesota House of Representatives. Site coverage and opt-out processes can change, so check the current instructions on each site.
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Submit a separate opt-out request to each site
For every site where you find a profile, locate its opt-out instructions and follow them. If the instructions are difficult to find, search the site name with terms such as “opt out” or “remove my information.” A site may ask for details to verify your identity. Use its actual process and keep a record of the request and submission date. The FTC says manual opt-outs are free, but the work is site by site. FTC opt-out steps and limits
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Request removal from search results separately, if needed
If a result appears in Google Search, Google’s “Results about you” feature can monitor specified information such as a home address, phone number, or email address and let you request removal of qualifying results. Google reviews requests under its policies and may deny removal for pages it considers valuable to the public, including some government, educational, and news pages. Removing a result from Google does not delete the page itself; contact the website owner to request removal at the source. Google’s “Results about you” help
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Recheck for new or returning listings
Check periodically and repeat the opt-out process if a listing returns or new information appears. Changes to public records can feed new information to people-search sites, and an earlier successful request may not prevent that. FTC guidance on checking again
California residents: send a request through DROP
California residents can use the California Privacy Protection Agency’s free Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform (DROP) to send one deletion request to active registered data brokers. Brokers began accessing and processing requests on August 1, 2026; the agency says they have up to 90 days to report status information. In a July 10, 2026 article, CalPrivacy reported over 600 active brokers covered by the platform. That figure describes brokers in DROP, not all people-search sites or data brokers everywhere. CalPrivacy DROP information
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A DROP status does not always mean information was deleted:
- Deleted: The broker matched the request and deleted non-exempt information.
- Exempted: The broker may retain information the law allows it to keep.
- Opted-out: The broker could not make an exact match, but says it can no longer sell or share the relevant data. This is not confirmation of deletion.
- Record not found: The broker found no matching record or does not have information about you.
- Pending: The broker has not yet processed the request.
DROP uses details you provide to help brokers match records; additional details may improve matching. Its request does not cover first-party information you gave directly to a business, exempt information, or publicly available information. CalPrivacy lists vehicle, real-estate ownership, and voting records as examples of public records that are outside the platform request. CalPrivacy DROP status and scope
Compare your removal options
| Option | Scope | Eligibility and cost | Outcome and limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual opt-out | Individual people-search site listings | Available through each site’s process; the FTC says requests are free. | Can stop a site from selling existing information, but does not erase public records or guarantee a listing will not return. |
| Paid removal service | Depends on the provider’s coverage | Paid; current pricing, coverage, and terms depend on the provider. | May handle requests for you. Compare covered sites, reporting, and how often it checks for new or returning data; no service should be treated as a guarantee of permanent removal. FTC advice on paid services |
| California DROP | Active registered data brokers covered by the platform | Free for California residents. | One request can reach participating brokers, but status may mean deletion, exemption, opt-out of sale or sharing, no record found, or pending processing. |
| Google “Results about you” | Qualifying Google Search results showing specified personal information | Available through Google’s feature; eligibility depends on Google’s review. | Can affect visibility in Google Search, not remove the source page from the internet. |
Should you use a paid removal service?
A service may save time if you would otherwise submit many separate requests. Before paying, compare which sites it covers, whether it provides a report of completed requests, and how frequently it checks for newly found or reappearing information. Do not assume it can prevent brokers from reacquiring information or make an opt-out permanent.
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