Delete Photos & Videos From Google Search: The Complete Guide
Need to Delete Photos or Videos From Google Search? Start Here
Have you ever searched your name or business and found photos or videos you want gone? You’re not alone. Many people want to delete photos and videos from Google Search for privacy, reputation, or simply peace of mind. But how do you actually get images or videos removed from Google? Is it even possible?
Let’s break down the steps, tips, and real-life examples so you can take control of your online presence—fast.
Why Delete Photos & Videos From Google Search?
- Protect your privacy
- Remove outdated or embarrassing content
- Clean up your digital reputation
- Keep personal or sensitive images off the web
Imagine a photo from years ago still showing up when someone Googles you. Or a video you no longer want public. It happens to everyone. But you can take action.
How Google Search Shows Photos & Videos
Google Search and Google Images don’t actually host your photos or videos. Instead, they show content from other websites. This means:
- Deleting a photo from your phone or computer won’t remove it from Google Search.
- You need to remove the image or video from the website hosting it or ask Google to remove it from search results.
Step-by-Step: How to Delete Photos & Videos From Google Search
1. Delete Photos & Videos From Google Photos
If your image or video is in your own Google Photos account:
- Go to photos.google.com
- Log in to your Google Account
- Select the photo or video you want to delete
- Click “Move to Trash”
- To delete permanently, go to the Trash, select the item, and click “Delete permanently”
Tip: Deleted items stay in Trash for 60 days before permanent deletion. Empty Trash to remove them forever.
2. Remove Photos & Videos From Other Websites
If the photo or video is on a website you don’t control:
- Find the website hosting the image or video
- Contact the website owner and politely ask them to remove it
- Once the content is removed from the site, it will eventually disappear from Google Search when Google updates its index
Example:
A user found an old party photo on a blog. They emailed the blog owner, who removed the post. The photo disappeared from Google Search a few days later.
3. Request Removal From Google Search
If you can’t get the website owner to help, or if the image meets certain criteria, request removal from Google:
For Personal or Sensitive Images
Google may remove images that:
- Show personal info (like ID cards, credit card numbers)
- Are explicit or involve minors
- Are used for doxxing or harassment
- Violate copyright or trademark laws
How to Request Removal:
- Go to the Google Content Removal Tool
- Paste the direct link to the image or video
- Follow the steps and submit your request
Google will review your request and email you with a decision. If approved, the image will be removed from Google Search results—but not from the original website.
4. Remove Outdated or Cached Images
Sometimes, an image is gone from the website but still appears in Google Search. This is because Google’s cache hasn’t updated yet.
How to Fix:
- Use the Google Outdated Content Removal Tool
- Enter the image or page URL
- Submit the request to update Google’s cache
5. Special Case: Removing Photos of Minors
If you’re under 18, or a parent/guardian, Google makes it easier to remove images of minors:
- Visit Google’s special removal form for minors
- Provide image URLs, search result links, and search terms
- Submit the form for review
Google will reach out if more info is needed and let you know when the image is removed.
What If Google Denies My Request?
If Google denies your removal request, try these steps:
- Gather more evidence (like proof of copyright or privacy harm)
- Resubmit your request with extra details
- Contact the website owner again and explain your situation
Persistence pays off. Many people succeed after a second or third try.
Real-Life Example: Business Owner Removes Old Logo
Sarah, a small business owner, rebranded her company. Her old logo still appeared in Google Images. She:
- Deleted the logo from her website
- Used the Outdated Content Removal Tool
- Waited a few days—Google removed the old logo from search
Sarah’s new brand now shows up everywhere.
Quick Checklist: Delete Photos & Videos From Google Search
- Is the image/video on your Google Photos? Delete it there and empty Trash.
- Is it on someone else’s website? Contact the site owner to remove it.
- Need Google to remove it? Use the removal tool for sensitive or outdated content.
- Is the image of a minor? Use Google’s special form for minors.
- Still not gone? Try again with more info or seek legal help if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting from Google Photos remove it from Google Search?
No. Deleting from Google Photos only removes it from your account, not from search results unless the image was public and indexed.
How long does it take for Google to remove images?
Usually a few days to a week after approval. Check back every 12 hours to see progress.
Can I remove any photo or video?
You can only remove content you own, or content that violates Google’s policies (like sensitive info, explicit images, or images of minors).
Need Help? Contact Us
Deleting photos and videos from Google Search can be tricky. If you need help with tough cases or want expert support, contact us today. Our team can guide you step-by-step and handle complex removals for you.
Take Control of Your Online Image
Don’t let unwanted photos or videos define you online. With the right steps, you can clean up your digital presence and protect your privacy. Ready to get started? Contact us for more help or to learn about our full range of online reputation services.