Remove Content from Google – What Really Works
A single negative result on Google can cost you a job, a job application, or someone’s trust. We’ll check whether the listing can be removed from search results—and defend you
if your own content has been unfairly
blocked.
REHKATSCH Attorneys at Law · Cologne | Berlin | Nationwide
When can you have a Google listing removed?
You type your name into Google—and right at the top is a year-old report, a long-outdated allegation, or a disparaging review. That’s one side of the story. The other is the exact opposite: your website, your photo, or your post has been removed from the results because someone filed a complaint with Google.
Both scenarios play out on the same stage—Google Search—but involve completely different approaches. In one case, the goal is to remove an entry. In the other, it’s to reverse a removal. If you take the wrong approach here, you’ll waste time—and sometimes the case itself. We’ll assess your case in a brief conversation and tell you honestly what’s realistically achievable—and what isn’t.
Right to Be Forgotten: Your Legal Basis
Anyone who wants to have an entry about themselves deleted can invoke the so-called “right to be forgotten.” This right stems from a landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice and is now enshrined in the General Data Protection Regulation (Art. 17 GDPR). Put simply, this means that under certain conditions, you can request that Google remove a web address associated with your name from its search results.
Google does not make this decision based on gut feeling, but must weigh your interest in privacy against the public’s interest in finding the information. It is precisely this balancing act that is the real challenge. A request with a well-reasoned justification often makes the difference between “denied” and “removed from search results.”
What "Delisting" Really Means
A common misconception: If Google removes the listing, the post is said to have disappeared from the Internet. That’s not the case. Google simply removes the result from the list of search results for your name—the actual source page remains online. Anyone who knows the exact address or searches for it in another way can still access it. Removal from search results makes it much harder to find, but it doesn’t erase the information entirely. If you really want the content gone, you’ll also need to address the source.
Which entries can be deleted—and which cannot?
There are typically good chances of success with content that is untrue, long outdated, or of no apparent value to the public—such as a closed investigation that still lingers as a “suspicion,” or private details that are nobody’s business. It becomes more difficult when dealing with true facts, current events of public interest, and public figures—in these cases, the public interest in the information carries greater weight. But “difficult” doesn’t mean “hopeless.” We’ll objectively assess whether the effort is worth it before you make your decision.
Here's how the deletion process works
The process of removal usually involves several steps. You don't have to go through it alone—but it helps to know what to expect.
STEP 1
Submit a request directly to Google
Yes, you can contact Google directly. There is a specific application process for the right to be forgotten. The challenge lies in the justification—Google often rejects blanket requests. We draft the request so that it addresses the legally relevant points.
STEP 2
If Google Rejects It
If Google rejects your request, that’s not the end of the matter. You can contact the data protection authority in your state or pursue your claim in court. We recommend the approach that will most reliably help you achieve your goal.
STEP 3
In the case of illegal content
If the content in question is clearly unlawful—such as a false statement of fact or a violation of your personal rights—you can assert a claim for injunctive relief against the source itself and against Google as an indirect contributor to the infringement.
The Lumen Trap: Deleted, Yet Still Findable
This is where it gets paradoxical—and comes as a nasty surprise to many. When Google removes a search result, it often includes a note below it stating that the content was removed due to a legal request, and links to an external database called Lumen. There, the original complaint, along with the affected URL, is published. So with just one more click, the content that was actually deleted can be found again.
A real-life example illustrates just how frustrating this is: A company was under investigation for investment fraud, but numerous media outlets incorrectly reported it as “fraud.” The company had the false search results removed—and promptly found them again via the Lumen notice. Those who delete content may thus inadvertently make the matter more visible than before.
The good news: The Munich Higher Regional Court has ruled that Google may not make already-deleted illegal content accessible again via the Lumen database. Google is liable as an indirect contributor to the infringement. This loophole can therefore be closed—you just have to know how. Read more about this in our article on the Lumen database.
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Conversely: Were you wrongfully deleted or warned?
Many come to us for the exact opposite reason: They don’t want something removed—their own content has been blocked. A photo, a text, or a video disappears from the search results because someone filed a copyright complaint—often unjustly. In such cases, it’s not about deletion, but about defense—and that’s where we excel.
Received a DMCA takedown notice—what now?
Most of these takedowns are handled through the DMCA—a U.S. law under which Google processes copyright complaints worldwide. A single complaint is enough to have your content removed—at least for the time being. But that doesn’t mean the complaint is valid. We check whether a protected work is involved at all, whether the complainant holds the rights, and whether an exception applies. We explain the details of the process in our article on DMCA takedowns.
Counter Notice and Right of Reply: The Way Back
There is an effective remedy against an unfounded complaint: the right of reply, known as a “counter notice” in the U.S. legal system. If you file one, the content will be reinstated after a short period—provided the complainant does not file a lawsuit. Nevertheless, caution is advised: A false or reckless counter-notice can backfire. We draft it in a way that stands up to scrutiny, and in cases of demonstrably abusive complaints, we also take action against the sender.
And in Europe: DSA instead of DMCA
The DMCA does not apply in Europe. Here, Google’s business is conducted through its Irish subsidiary, and the Digital Services Act applies. It requires platforms to establish clear reporting procedures, provide a transparent justification for every takedown, and offer avenues for appeal and mediation. Whether it’s U.S. or EU procedures, copyright law or personality rights—it’s rarely obvious which legal avenue applies to your case. Distinguishing between them is precisely our job.
Your Contacts
Why REHKATSCH Attorneys at Law?
We specialize in law related to media, the press, and intellectual property—and cover both sides of the issue under one roof: removing unwanted posts as well as defending against unjustified account suspensions. You don’t need two law firms or lengthy explanations. We’ll review your case quickly, clearly tell you what’s possible, and consistently follow through.
Patrick Rehkatsch
Attorney Specializing in Copyright and Media Law – Founder
Juliette Sarvan de Castro
Attorney Specializing in Copyright and Media Law
“
Unfortunately, “deleted” doesn’t always mean “gone” online—
and “blocked” isn’t always justified.
Both issues can be addressed if you take the right steps early on.
Juliette Sarvan de Castro
Attorney Specializing in Copyright and Media Law
Frequently Asked Questions
No. There’s a good chance of success with false, outdated, or purely private content. It’s more difficult when it comes to true facts with public relevance or public figures. We’ll review your specific result and let you know in advance how realistic removal is.
That depends largely on the amount of work involved—a single request to have a listing removed is different from legal action against the source and against Google. During a no-obligation initial consultation, we’ll review your case and discuss the process transparently before any costs are incurred.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer. If Google responds promptly to a well-founded request, the process is relatively quick. If a government agency or court needs to be involved, it takes longer. We keep the process as short as possible.
Not automatically. Delisting only removes the result from Google Search for your name—the source page remains online. If you really want the content removed, we’ll also take action against the source.
Lumen is a public archive to which Google forwards requests for removal—along with the relevant URL. As a result, a search result that was originally removed may become visible there again. However, courts have prohibited Google from making such results accessible again via Lumen; we will ensure that this is enforced on your behalf.
Yes. You can file a counterstatement to challenge an unjustified takedown or copyright complaint, which often results in the content being restored. It’s important to word it carefully—a poorly worded counterstatement can do more harm than good.
The right to be forgotten primarily protects individuals. However, companies can defend themselves against false or defamatory content by invoking corporate personality rights and seeking injunctive relief. We’ll discuss which approach is right for you during our conversation.
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