Remove images of minors from Google search results

Google removes images of anyone below the age of 18 from search results at the request of the individual under 18 or their parent or guardian, with the exception of cases of compelling public interest or newsworthiness. This means these images won’t appear in the Images tab or as thumbnails in any feature in Google Search. This article is intended to support you through the process for removal requests of such content from Google search results.

Important: While we can prevent an image from appearing in our search results, we can’t remove it from websites that host it. This is why you might wish to contact the website owner and ask them to remove the content. Learn how to contact a website owner.

Request to remove explicit content instead

This article covers the process for removing non-explicit images of minors from Google search results. If your request is to remove explicit content, follow the relevant process below.

For images of minors:

• Report content that is sexually abusive towards children

For images of adults:

• Request removal of non-consensual explicit of intimate personal images from Google
• Request removal of involuntary fake pornography from Google

Requirements

For us to consider the content for removal, it must meet all of the following requirements:

1. The URLs submitted are image URLs.
   • Web URLs (pages with both text and images) are not eligible for removal under this policy, which seeks to limit the presence of images in Google search results. 
2. The imagery includes an identifiable individual who is currently under the age of 18.
   • We’ll also remove images in the tragic situation of a child who has died before reaching the age of 18.
3. The removal requestor is either the individual themself, a legal guardian for the individual, or an authorized representative of either.

Request to remove imagery of an individual currently under 18 from Google

You or your authorized representative can submit a request to remove links to the content from Google Search results. Any authorized representative must explain how they have the authority to act on your behalf.

Important: We only review the URLs that you or your authorized representative submit in the form.

Start removal request

What happens after you submit the removal request

1. You get an automated email confirmation. This confirms we received the request. 
2. We review your request. Each request is evaluated based on the requirements above. 
3. We gather more info, if needed. In some cases, we may ask you for more information. If the request doesn’t have enough information for us to evaluate, like missing URLs, we’ll share specific instructions and ask you to resubmit the request. 
4. You get a notification of any action taken.
   • If submitted image URLs are found to be within the scope of our policy, they will be removed from Google search results.
   • If the request doesn't meet the requirements for removal, we’ll also include a brief explanation. If your request is denied and later you have additional materials to support your case, you can re-submit your request.

What we include in our review

We take public interest and newsworthiness into account when determining if content will be removed. 

• In some cases, we may not remove reported content. 
• In other cases, we may balance affected individual preference with public interest and limit our removal to queries which include identifying terms, such as the name of the individual under 18, name of the parent, and aliases.

Frequently asked questions

The intake form has multiple options for removals. Which option do I choose?

In the section for the type of content you want to remove, select Imagery of an individual currently under the age of 18. Then select Non-explicit imagery.

Which URLs do I submit for review?

You must submit image URLs that you want us to review for removal from Google search results.

How do I find the URL of the content I want to report?

In the form, we ask for 2 types of URLs:

• URL of the image
• URL of the Google search results page that contains the link to the web page you're reporting

How do I submit more than one URL for review?

In the URL field of the form, add one URL per line. You can submit up to 1,000 URLs.

Why do you ask for screenshots in the form?

An image can have content that’s relevant to multiple individuals. Screenshots of the content that’s related to you helps us identify the offending content for removal. We encourage you to edit the screenshots to obscure any sexually explicit portions of the screenshot.

Important: Child sexual abuse imagery is illegal and should not be shared through this form. Do not take or include screenshots containing child sexual abuse imagery or any content that presents someone under 18 in a sexual manner. Learn how to report child sexual abuse imagery.

How do I take a screenshot?

You can take a screenshot on your computer or your mobile device. We suggest that you take the screenshot on the same device that you’ll use to submit the form, so you won’t need to transfer the image between devices.

Learn how to take a screenshot on your:

• Computer
• Android phone or tablet
• iPhone or iPad

How do I request removal of content that’s no longer live on a website?

This removal process is for content that is still live on a webpage. If the content no longer appears on the webpage but appears in Google search results or as a cached page, request removal with the Outdated URL removal tool.