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Removing Pages from Search Results

Removing a Page from Google Search Results

This guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to remove a page hosted on your website from Google Search results. If you're looking to remove personal information and don't own the website hosting it, please refer to the guide on Removing your personal information from Google.

Quick Removals using the Removals Tool

For swift removal requests, leverage the Removals tool to delist a page from Google Search results within a day. This tool is particularly useful for temporary removals while you make permanent changes.

Important:

  • Removal Duration: Requests made through the Removals tool typically last for about 6 months. After this period, Google might re-index the page if it's still accessible.

  • URL Variations: Ensure you submit removal requests for all variations of the URL pointing to the content you want to remove. This includes different capitalization, protocols (http vs. https), and query parameters.

Example:

Let's say you want to remove a blog post about dog grooming tips. Consider these URL variations:

  • https://www.mypetsite.com/blog/dog-grooming-tips

  • https://www.mypetsite.com/blog/DOG-grooming-tips

  • http://www.mypetsite.com/blog/dog-grooming-tips?utm_source=newsletter

You need to submit separate removal requests for each of these URLs to ensure complete removal from Google Search.

Finding the right URL to block:

  • Check your sitemap: Your sitemap lists all URLs you want Google to index. Identify the specific URL of the page you want to remove.

  • Use Google Search Operators: Use the site: operator followed by your domain and keywords to pinpoint the exact URL in Google's index. For example, searching site:www.mypetsite.com dog grooming tips will list all indexed URLs from your site containing those keywords.

Making Your Removal Permanent

For long-term removal, consider the following methods:

  1. Remove or Update the Content:

    • Deleting the page entirely: This is the most effective way to ensure its permanent removal from Google and other search engines.

    • Updating the content: If you need to keep the page live but with different content, replace the existing content entirely. Ensure the new content is significantly different and doesn't trigger duplicate content issues.

  2. Password-Protect Your Page:

    • Restricting Access: Implement password protection or place the page behind a login wall. This limits access to authorized users while preventing search engines from accessing and indexing the content.

  3. Add a "noindex" Tag:

    • Controlling Indexation: The noindex meta tag instructs search engines not to index a specific page. It's important to note that while Google respects this tag, other search engines might not.

    Code Example:

    <head>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex">
</head>

  4. Avoid Relying Solely on robots.txt:

    • Robots.txt Limitations: While robots.txt can instruct search engines not to crawl certain parts of your website, it's not a foolproof method for blocking pages from the index. It's recommended to use robots.txt in conjunction with other methods like noindex for robust protection.

By following these steps and understanding the different methods available, you can effectively manage your website's presence in Google Search results and ensure the desired pages are removed.

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