The short version
Save everything before you reply. Then work out who can fix it: the site or platform that published it, and Google once the page has changed. If it’s seriously damaging, talk to a lawyer early, because defamation claims have short time limits.
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Save evidence before reacting
Record the URL, screenshots, Google title, snippet, date, search phrase and any surrounding context. Evidence is stronger than an emotional explanation after the page changes.
Separate false facts from opinion
A factual error, a fake identity, a missing outcome, a copied page, a malicious review or a misleading snippet each have a different route. Not every unfair result can be removed, but each serious one is worth looking at carefully.
Check who runs the source
Depending on the source, the next step may be a correction request to the publisher, a report to the platform, Google’s refresh tool, a privacy request, or legal advice.
Add accurate information of your own
While you wait for an answer, make sure accurate, current information about you, like a work profile or business page, is easy to find.
A quick guide
If it’s factually wrong, ask the source to correct it, and get legal advice if it’s seriously harming you. If Google shows an old snippet after the page changed, use Google’s refresh tool. If it’s a review, report it against the platform’s rules and reply calmly. If it can’t be changed quickly, keep your own information current and check back.
What to check first
Who runs the source, what Google’s title and snippet say, whether it’s current, whether it’s a statement of fact or an opinion, and which official route fits.
Where you live matters
The routes depend on where you live. Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the EU, the US and Canada each have different privacy and complaint options, and defamation law differs too. The free check asks where you live and shows the routes that fit.
A common example
Someone finds an old or false claim ranking for their name just before a job interview. The safest first step isn’t a public argument. It’s a dated record of what they found, a look at who runs the source, and a plan for what to ask for.
Questions
Can false information always be removed?
No. Some false or inaccurate material can be corrected or removed, but publishers, platforms and search engines make their own decisions.
What should I save first?
The exact search phrase, the link, a dated screenshot, who runs the source, and a note of exactly what is false or out of date. You’ll need them for any request you send.
Is the first step private?
Yes. The free check runs in your browser. Nothing is sent to anyone unless you send it yourself.
Should I contact the website immediately?
Not always. Save evidence first. Some rushed or emotional messages can make a sensitive issue harder to fix.
Can Google remove false results?
Sometimes Google can review eligible results or stale snippets, but it does not control every source page. Asking the site owner and asking Google are separate steps.
Can this help before a job interview or client meeting?
It can help you work out what to do about what people may see. Changes take time, so it’s worth starting early.
Fix My Name Online is a self-service tool, not a law firm, and this isn’t legal advice. Publishers, platforms and search engines make their own decisions; no one can promise a result. Need a lawyer?
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