Support resources for removing explicit or intimate personal images

We understand that it can be distressing when your explicit or intimate imagery is shared without permission and is discoverable online.

This page will give you information about what steps you can take when dealing with this type of content, and provides resources for additional support.

Ensure your own safety

If you have physical safety concerns, contact the appropriate authorities. In an emergency, call your area’s emergency phone number (for example, 911 in the United States).

Document where the content is found

Keeping track of where the content in question is surfacing online will help when requesting its removal from websites and search results.

Request removal of the content on Google Search

You or your authorized representative can submit a request to remove the content from Google Search.

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

The imagery shows you (or the individual you're representing) nude, in a sexual act, or in an intimate state.
You (or the individual you're representing) didn't consent to the imagery or the act and it was made publicly available or the imagery was made available online without your consent.
You aren’t currently being paid to commercialize this content online or elsewhere.

Locate & request removal on other platforms

To find out where the content may appear, try doing a Google search for your name (or the name of the person you represent). If explicit or intimate images of you appear in the search results, try contacting the owner of the website directly. Or, if available, use that service’s content reporting features to request removal. Many services including social media platforms have their own reporting features that allow you to submit removal requests. For more information, see the next section, “Contact the website owner.”

If you’re unsure whether other sites might be hosting your content, but you have access to the content in question, you can do a reverse image search on Google.

For additional resources, see “Content Removal Options Outside of Google Search.”

Contact the website owner

Even if Google removes the content from our search results, it still exists on the original site hosting the content. This means it may be found through the URL to the site, social media sharing, or other search engines.

Your best option to remove content is to contact the website owner if you’re comfortable doing so, because they may be able to remove the content entirely.

Learn how to contact a website owner.

Understand your rights

There may be laws against non-consensual explicit imagery in your state or region. You may use a search engine such as Google to learn about local laws, though you should contact an attorney or other expert to understand the extent of your rights.

If you wish to request removal but the content doesn’t meet the requirements above, there may be another option under DMCA (copyright removals). To request removal under DMCA, use this form.

Find support

Along with requesting removal of explicit or intimate personal content from Google search results, you may wish to seek other types of support. There are organizations worldwide that can help with content removal and connect you with resources for advocacy, safety, and well-being.

Where to find help when explicit or intimate personal images are shared without your permission

In addition to the location-specific resources listed below, StopNCII.org, a global organization that helps prevent the spread of non-consensual explicit content, may be able to provide support.

North America