The right to be forgotten, or right to delisting, lets you ask a search engine to stop displaying certain links when someone searches for your name. In Europe, Google delisting and equivalent procedures rely on the GDPR and Court of Justice of the European Union case law. Here is what the right covers and how to request removal of a Google result.
What is the right to be forgotten?
It is the possibility of asking that information about you become less accessible through searches for your name. It does not delete the information from the website hosting it. Instead, it asks the search engine not to offer the link in name-based search results.
In European law, this right relates to the right to erasure under Article 17 GDPR and the right to privacy. The CJEU has recognised that search engines such as Google and Bing process personal data when indexing and displaying results. They must therefore accept delisting requests where the conditions apply.
How does Google delisting work?
Google delisting removes one or more links from results for searches containing your first and last name. In practice:
- Identify the exact URL causing concern.
- Use Google's European privacy request process, linked from its official right to be forgotten guide. This is distinct from the outdated-content refresh tool.
- Explain why removal is justified, for example privacy concerns or outdated information. If requested, provide supporting information directly through Google's interface, not through Data Knight.
- Google reviews the request and may delist the URL for name-based searches. The original website's content remains online.
Removing a Google result does not delete the web page. It remains accessible through its URL or different search terms. Our personal data removal guide compares delisting, removal at the source and account closure.
Limitations and refusals
Search engines may refuse where they consider public interest in the information more important. Examples include:
- Public figures, current affairs or roles in public life.
- Legal or historical information.
- Legitimate journalism and transparency content.
If refused, you can complain to your country's data protection authority, such as the CNIL in France. See also follow-ups and CNIL complaints. You may also request removal at the source under Article 17. If the website removes the page or your name, search results may eventually disappear or point to a missing page. Our guide to removing your name from Google covers ordinary name-search results.
Another Google route: certain sensitive, intimate or doxxing-related content can be submitted under Google's personal-content policies, separately from GDPR delisting. See removing personal information from Google Search.
How delisting fits with removal and scanning
Delisting is one part of controlling your online presence. It complements:
- Erasure requests to data brokers.
- Source removal: asking a website to delete or change a page about you.
A free digital footprint scan maps public-web appearances, brokers and breaches. See what a digital footprint means and the footprint and GDPR removal guide. Use the report to prioritise URLs for delisting, brokers to contact and sources to correct.
Want to see where you appear before requesting delisting or removal? Run the free scan, then use Remove my data to choose what to request removal of from brokers and public websites.
See also: Remove personal information from Google · Remove your name from Google · GDPR Article 17 · Your personal data rights explained
