Removing an image from Google Search and removing it from the website that hosts it are separate tasks. Start by identifying both the image result and its source page, then select a route based on whether the image is still available and why removal is requested.
01
Record the image and its source accurately
Save the source page address, the relevant image address where available and the query that surfaced it. Distinguish a thumbnail from the full image and record each separate hosting site. One photograph can appear under several URLs, so a request about one location may not address the others.
Avoid circulating sensitive imagery merely to gather opinions. Record the minimum information needed for an appropriate report and follow the official form's evidence instructions. Never download or share sexual imagery involving minors.
02
Choose the route that fits the facts
Google's guidance directs users to the hosting site for source removal. Search also provides limited personal-content and legal reporting routes. If the image has already been deleted or changed at the source, its outdated-content process may be relevant.
Do not select a copyright route simply because you appear in the photograph; the ownership question is separate.
- If you uploaded it, review the hosting account's own controls.
- If another publisher controls it, assess a direct request or report.
- If seeking a Google policy removal, explain the applicable facts.
- If the source changed, document what is now missing or different.
03
Verify each outcome independently
Check the source URL and search result after receiving a decision. Record whether the file disappeared, the page changed or only search visibility changed. A removed search result can leave a working direct link elsewhere.
For example, an outdated staff photo may first be removed from an employer's page. A remaining Google thumbnail then requires a different follow-up than a newly uploaded copy on another website. Keeping those outcomes separate avoids repeating an unsuitable request.
Frequently asked questions
Does Google control every image it shows?
No. Many results point to images hosted by other websites, whose owners control the source files.
Will one approved request remove every copy?
Do not assume so. Identify and assess additional URLs individually, using the relevant platform or publisher process.
Continue with your next step
Related guides on this topic
Sources and policies
Check the current policy before submitting a request.
You do not have to figure out the next step alone.
Share the URLs and explain your concern. We will review the context and explain which options are worth assessing.
Request a confidential reviewOr call (307) 429-2531Educational information, not legal advice. Outcomes depend on the facts and decisions made by third parties.