Free opt-out guide

Remove your information from people-search sites.

People-search sites collect your name, address, phone number, relatives, and other public records and sell access to it. Each site has a free opt-out process. This guide gives you direct links to opt out of 25+ major sites.

Before you start opting out

Run a free exposure check first so you know which sites have your information and which records are highest priority. Opting out without knowing what is exposed can lead to missed listings.

Keep a record of each site you opt out of. Most data brokers re-aggregate public records every few months, so you may need to resubmit. Save your progress with a free account to track what you have already removed.

Major people-search sites — direct opt-out links

All links below go directly to each site's official opt-out or removal page. Opt-outs are free at every site listed.

Spokeo

One of the largest people-search aggregators. Shows name, address, phone, email, and relatives. Opt-out is free and takes effect within 24 hours.

Opt out of Spokeo

WhitePages

Widely used for reverse phone and address lookups. Suppression request removes your profile from public search results.

Opt out of WhitePages

BeenVerified

Background check aggregator that shows addresses, relatives, and court records. Requires entering your name and email to submit the opt-out.

Opt out of BeenVerified

Radaris

Shows detailed personal profiles including social accounts. Opt-out requires creating a Radaris account or sending a request by email.

Opt out of Radaris

Intelius

Background and people-search site. Opt-out form removes your record from Intelius and affiliated sites including PeopleLookup and US Search.

Opt out of Intelius

TruePeopleSearch

Fast, no-account reverse lookup site. Opt-out is simple — enter your name and address, verify by phone, and the listing is removed within minutes.

Opt out of TruePeopleSearch

FastPeopleSearch

Similar to TruePeopleSearch. Opt-out is self-service and takes effect quickly. Search for your listing and use the remove button on your result.

Opt out of FastPeopleSearch

Instant Checkmate

Background check site with detailed profile pages. Opt-out requires submitting your name, state, and email address. Processing takes 24-72 hours.

Opt out of Instant Checkmate

TruthFinder

Runs on the same infrastructure as Instant Checkmate. A separate opt-out is needed even if you have already opted out of Instant Checkmate.

Opt out of TruthFinder

PeopleFinders

Aggregates addresses, phone numbers, and relatives. Free opt-out form — search for your record, click the listing, and submit removal.

Opt out of PeopleFinders

ZabaSearch

Free name-to-address and address-to-name search. Opt-out is available via their public opt-out form.

Opt out of ZabaSearch

USPhoneBook

Phone and address reverse lookup site. Find your listing and use the opt-out link on the result page.

Opt out of USPhoneBook

CheckPeople

Background check site showing addresses and associates. Submit your information via the opt-out form to request removal.

Opt out of CheckPeople

FamilyTreeNow

Shows family relationships, addresses, and estimated age. Opt-out is free and removes your profile and associated relatives from the listing.

Opt out of FamilyTreeNow

PeopleSmart

Background check site affiliated with BeenVerified. You may still need to opt out separately if you have already removed your BeenVerified listing.

Opt out of PeopleSmart

Pipl

Used primarily by investigators and journalists. Opt-out form available — note that Pipl may take longer than average to process removal requests.

Opt out of Pipl

AnyWho

Phone directory and reverse lookup from Intelius. Listings can be removed through the opt-out link on any result page.

Opt out of AnyWho

PublicRecordsNow

Aggregates court records, address history, and background information. Submit an opt-out request via their removal page.

Opt out of PublicRecordsNow

PrivateEye

Background check site. Opt-out process requires searching for your record and submitting through the listing's removal link.

Opt out of PrivateEye

Addresses.com

Shows current and past addresses. Opt-out available through their suppression request form.

Opt out of Addresses.com

Acxiom

One of the largest data brokers — sells consumer profiles to companies for marketing. Opt-out limits how your data is shared with third parties.

Opt out of Acxiom

MyLife

Shows reputation scores, contact info, and reviews. Requires contacting their privacy team — process can take up to 30 days. Most difficult opt-out on this list.

Opt out of MyLife

Epsilon

Major marketing data broker that shares consumer profiles with brands. Use the opt-out form to limit how your data is used for targeted marketing.

Opt out of Epsilon

LexisNexis

Used by background check services, insurance companies, and law firms. Consumer opt-out is available but limited in scope under their privacy policy.

Opt out of LexisNexis

Spokeo People Search API

Spokeo also powers third-party apps and APIs. If you have opted out of Spokeo's website, your data may still appear through their API partners — contact Spokeo directly for full removal.

Contact Spokeo

Tips for a thorough opt-out

  • Search all name variations. People-search sites may list you under nickname, maiden name, or name misspellings. Search for each variation and opt out from all results.
  • Check old addresses. Your information may be listed under previous addresses. Opt out from each address listing separately.
  • Use a temporary email. Some sites require email verification for opt-out. Use a temporary or secondary email rather than your primary address.
  • Recheck in 60–90 days. Data brokers update from public records regularly. Your listing can reappear after an opt-out. Set a reminder to recheck every few months.
  • Save your opt-out confirmations. Take screenshots or save confirmation emails so you have a record if a site says your opt-out was already submitted.

What data brokers pull from

Most people-search sites aggregate from the same public record sources: voter registration records, property records, court filings, DMV records (in states that permit sharing), and social media profiles. Even after opting out of a people-search site, the original public records still exist — opt-outs remove your aggregated profile from that site's search results, not the underlying public records.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay to remove my information?

No. All sites listed here are legally required to provide a free opt-out. Any site charging for removal is either a paid management service or using a dark pattern — you can always opt out yourself for free.

How long does removal take?

Most sites process opt-outs within 24–72 hours. Sites like MyLife and LexisNexis can take up to 30 days. After submitting, wait 3–5 business days before rechecking.

Will my information come back?

Yes, it can. Data brokers repull from public records on a regular cycle. Plan to recheck and resubmit opt-outs every 90 days to stay off these sites long-term.

Is my information removed from Google too?

Not automatically. Google may cache pages that listed your information. After a site removes your listing, you can request removal of cached Google results via Google's Remove Outdated Content tool.