Un-Googling something

[Khandro]

I was once a member of an organization, and as such, apeared on their website. I left them about 4 years ago, but still appear as a member if my name is entered in Google (or Yahoo), something I don't want, and is frankly an embarrassment. I have approached them to remove me from their listings and this they have done (I'm sure this is so) but I am is still there. Can I get it removed or is the www doomed to increasingly fill-up with out of date information?

[rojash]

"is the www doomed to increasingly fill-up with out of date information?"

Yep -you can't change the past :-\

[VHG]

I did work for a company once that acidently put some confidential information on their web site and wanted it removed from Google search.

One of the people did something to do it, but I cannot remember what.

There is some information on the Google help pages that may help, but I have never done it or used it so not sure if it works.

http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/a nswer.py?answer=61062&ctx=sibling

[fo3nix]

This is nothing to do with Google.

Their systems simple go round the web and index everything.

If your name is still on their site, then you need to get the organisation to remove it. Only then (after some time, maybe a few weeks), will the information slowly drop from Google's index.

[Khandro]

Thanks for the link VHG; it looks promising though it needs doing with care or there seems to be a possibility of wiping out my own website! I'll look into it further.
fo3nix, thanks, but I am sure that I no longer feature on the website of the organization.

[fo3nix]

You must be being linked to from some other website, to that website then.

What Google does is this:

Search for text on web pages. Rank pages with the search terms you use higher, if those terms occur more frequently onthose pages.

Then, it looks for links to those pages. So if lots of people use the text "complete idiot" when they link to the web page showing G. W. Bush's bio, the bio page will be highly ranked if you search for "complete idiot". (I use that example because it's real, or was.)

So if your name is no longer anywhere to be found on the organisation's website, perhaps there are other links around the web that say (for example), "See Khandro's page" and link to the organisation's website, the organisation's site will still appear if your search for your name.

If this is the case, you could try contacting Google, but I would doubt anything will be done. The easiest thing to do is to remove the links of your name to the organisation's website.

Can you give us a link to look at, to see if that would help in giving better answers?

[Khandro]

fo3nix, OK, I shall blow my cover; My name is Laurence Whitfield, I am an artist and now live in Germany. Up to 4 years ago in England I was on the commitee of, and advisor to BAFRA- The British Antique Furniture Restorers association. If you put my name in Google you will see ref. to my own website appears, then my name is quickly followed again under 'Finding a furniture restorer' which is not the case. BAFRA assure me that I have been completely removed from all connections with them. If you could help, I would be more than grateful.

[fo3nix]

But... they haven't.

I search for your name, and I find this as the top link:

http://www.bafra.plus.com/howtofind.htm

So, that's their site, and you're still on there.

So basically, BAFRA haven't removed you. If they tell you they have, they're either lying, or they have simply changed it on their own computer but not uploaded the change to their web server. Either way, BAFRA are the people you need to contact --- email them the link I provide above. You're still there.

[Khandro]

fo3nix, Many thanks; It was a bit dim of me not to have done what you have done and tried to find myself through there website, - their assurances seemed so absolute. I have sent them an email with the link you provided.

[Khandro]

for 'there' read their, and shall I keep you posted on outcome?

[crisgal]

Why are you embarrassed about it?

[Khandro]

Embarrassed is maybe too strong a word, it's just that I am placed in a false position; I do not do restoration work and I certainly don't care to have personal details - phone # etc. on a Google page. Info. on my own website is rather different. I am amused by your question - you must be a woman!!