How to Deindex a Page from Google to Manage Negative Content

Google Search Console is one of the easiest ways to remove a page from Google index. It gives you direct control over your site’s visibility and lets you request the deindexing of specific URLs.


1. Start by signing into your account. You’ll need to verify ownership if you haven’t added your site.


2. Open the Removals tool.


3. Once in the Removals tool, click the Temporary Removals tab.


4. Click New Request and enter the exact URL you want to block. Be precise and make sure that the URL format (e.g., HTTPS or WWW) matches.


5. Choose Temporarily remove URL to block the page from search results for six months.


6. Check back to confirm that the request was approved and the URL is no longer appearing in search results.

Adding a noindex tag tells search engines to stop indexing a page and make it invisible in search results. This is useful for pages you want to keep live but hidden from search results.

A robots.txt file helps control how search engines crawl your site. Here are the steps if you want to deindex a page using this method:

1. First, you’ll need to locate your robots.txt file in the root directory of your website (e.g.,www.example.com/robots.txt). Use a text editor or your hosting platform to make changes.

2. Next, add a disallow rule by inserting this line into your file:

To permanently remove a page from search results, you’ll need to start by deleting the page from your server or CMS. Make sure that it returns a 404 (Not Found) or 410 (Gone) HTTP status code, which signals the search engines that the content is gone for good. If deleting isn’t an option, you can restrict access by requiring a password.

Avoid using robots.txt alone, as it doesn’t guarantee deindexing. For previously blocked pages, unblock them temporarily so search engines can see the proper status code or restricted access. This process ensures that search engines drop unwanted pages and effectively help you manage outdated, duplicate, or irrelevant content.

Cached versions of a page can stay in search results even after removal or updates. Google’s Refresh Outdated Content tool allows you to address this. Here are the steps you’ll need to take:


1. Visit the Refresh Outdated Content tool. (You must be logged in to use this tool.)


2. Enter the URL of the outdated content, and select the appropriate options to request cache removal.


3. Click “Submit”.


4. If needed, write 1-2 words that are part of the outdated snippet but no longer exist on the page.


5. After submission, your request will appear in the queue at the bottom of the tool.

6. Periodically check back to see the status of your Google removal request.


7. If denied, a link will explain why so you can address the issue and resubmit if necessary.


Google will clear the cached snippet or page from search results if approved. This tool is especially helpful for removing outdated information that lingers even after updates.

Links pointing to a page can keep it discoverable, even if you’ve tried other deindexing methods. Removing or updating those links reduces the chance of the page being reindexed. You can:


• Check internal links: Search your site for links pointing to the page and update or remove them.

• Address external links: Use tools such as Ahrefs or Google Search Console to find external links. Contact the site owners and request link removal or updates.

A DMCA claim is a powerful solution if the content violates your copyright. You can file a request directly with Google to remove the page from their search results. For instance, Nintendo famously used DMCA claims to protect its intellectual property against fan-made games. To use this method, make sure that the content genuinely infringes your copyright.


Submit a DMCA notice with evidence of the violation. Then, Google will review your request, and if it is valid, they’ll deindex the offending material. Remember that this strategy works best for clear-cut copyright issues or harmful content. Avoid using it for disputes unrelated to legal violations.

Spam reporting and using spammy backlinks are unreliable methods for deindexing content and often lead to negative consequences. Spam reporting involves submitting complaints through Google’s Spam Report Form and accusing the page of spammy content.


Google reviews these manually, and false claims can lead to penalties against you. Spammy backlinks involve flooding a page with low-quality links to trigger penalties, but Google’s algorithms are adept at detecting such manipulation. These tactics can backfire and damage your credibility instead of the target page.

This strategy involves replicating the content of a target page and publishing it on multiple platforms or sites. The goal is to confuse search engines and make it harder for them to identify the original source.


You can use tools to scrape and copy the page’s content, then post it on forums, low-quality blogs, or social platforms. Small variations may be added to the text to avoid being flagged as direct duplication.


However, Google has advanced systems to verify content sources through timestamps, backlinks, and authority signals. If it identifies your actions as manipulative, the strategy could backfire and leave the target page intact while damaging your reputation.