Google has revamped its "Results about you" tool, offering users more control over their personal information appearing in search results. The enhanced feature, launched in 2023, helps users monitor and manage sensitive data like names, phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses that show up in Google Search.
The tool specifically targets outdated or unwanted personal information that persists in search results, even after being removed from original websites. While it doesn't delete information from source websites, it helps reduce visibility in Google Search results.
Users can access this privacy protection feature by visiting the "Results about you" website. After initial setup, users input their personal details, including full names, nicknames, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Google then scans the web for this information.
The process typically takes several hours, after which Google notifies users through their chosen alert method - either email, push notifications via the Google app, or both. Users can monitor findings through the dashboard's "Results found" section, which categorizes items as either "Results to review" or "Reviewed."
For managing search results, users have two options. They can submit removal requests through the dashboard or directly from search results by clicking the three dots next to any listing and selecting "Remove this result." All removal requests can be tracked in the dashboard, showing their status as in progress, approved, denied, or undone.
The tool represents Google's commitment to user privacy, giving individuals greater control over their digital footprint and personal information accessibility through the world's most popular search engine.