So here is the problem. I run a YouTube channel (no, that’s not the problem) instead, Google index the video thumbnails and link it with my name. So, if somebody searches for ‘Mrinal Saha’ on Google Image search, all they see is my YouTube thumbnail – which to be honest, aren’t my best first impression pictures. Similarly, if you have recently discovered some of you unflattering images popping up on Google search, here is how you can remove them from Google.
According to Google Support, you can directly ask Google (by filling this form) to remove images that contain sensitive personal information, like a credit card number, your signature, or nudity without consent. However, more often than not, your images don’t fall into these categories. In such situations, you can use the following workaround.
How to Remove my Picture from Google
1. Head over to Google images and search for the image you want to remove. In my case, I search for my name, and as you can see, it also shows my YouTube thumbnails.
2. Right-click on the image thumbnail that you want to remove from Google search and choose  Copy link address.
3. Next, click on this link to go to Remove outdated content and paste the URL in the box next to “Request removal” and click on Request removal.
4. Next, you’ll see the message “We think the image or web page you’re trying to remove hasn’t been removed by the site owner,” From here you have two options
4.1 If the images you want to remove are hosted on your own websites, simply update the alt text (in my case, I removed my name from the video title, description, and tags)
4.2 If the images are uploaded to third-party websites, simply ask the webmaster to take down the images or update the alt text. To make it more effective you can talk about how the image was uploaded without your consent and how uncomfortable it makes you. Remember, you always have a choice of filling DMCA complain, if they don’t comply with your request.
Once done, click Yes next to the images has been updated/removed from the source and click on Next.
Repeat the same steps for all the pictures you want to remove from Google search. It might take a day or two for Google to take any action on your images, so be patient.
In my case, it took them 24 hours to remove all images that I submitted for removal.
Removing Images from Google
Even though you have removed images from Google search, it might still appear on the source website. In my case, they were just thumbnails, so it doesn’t matter much. But, if you are dealing with sensitive images, it makes sense to double check all the other search engines and social media sites.
Read:Â How to Customize Google Homepage With Your Name and Picture
