The short version
Ask the publisher to update the story, then ask Google to catch up. The publisher decides what’s on the page. Google decides what shows in search, and only updates once the page changes. Start by saving the link and a dated screenshot, then get a free plan for your situation.
Free · No account · Nothing sent to us
Get the steps, letters and official forms for your situation.
Capture the evidence
Record the exact URL, headline, snippet, image result, date, ranking position and search phrase. Do this before contacting anyone or posting publicly.
Check whether the article can be reviewed
What’s possible (a correction, removing your name, hiding the page from search, Google’s outdated-content form or a privacy request) depends on the facts and the country. Some are realistic; some are not.
Add the current picture
If removal is unlikely, accurate current profiles and pages you control help people see the present, not only the past.
Check back over time
Old articles can move up or down when they’re shared, linked or copied. Search again every month or two and note what has changed.
Start privately
The free check gives you a calm plan before the problem gets louder.
Questions
Can an old article be deleted from Google?
Sometimes Google can remove or update a result in specific situations, but usually the publisher controls the page. The free check shows which routes fit your situation.
Should I contact the journalist or publisher myself?
Sometimes, but only after preparing evidence and deciding the safest wording. A rushed emotional email can make the situation harder.
Does adding my own information help?
Accurate, current information you control can help people see more than the old article, especially when removal isn’t realistic.
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?
Want your letters for one link saved online?
Optional · US$19 onceThe free plan has everything you need to act. The letter pack saves a request letter, a follow-up and a second letter for one link, online with your dates and notes. You still send everything yourself.