Opting Out of Multiple People Search Sites: A Comprehensive Guide

People search sites, also known as data brokers, collect and publicly display personally identifiable information (PII) like your name, address, phone number, and more, often without your consent.

While they claim to offer useful information, these sites can expose sensitive data, increasing the risk of identity theft, doxxing, stalking, and other privacy violations.

Fortunately, you can take control of your online privacy by opting out of these people search sites. This comprehensive guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions, valuable tips, and resources for managing your online presence and reclaiming your privacy in 2025.

Understanding the Threat: Why Opt Out of People Search Sites?

Opting out of people search sites is essential for protecting your personal security and online privacy. Here's why:

• Protect Yourself from Targeted Cyberattacks: Cybercriminals can use PII to target you with phishing scams or identity theft attempts.
• Minimize Your Digital Footprint: Reducing the amount of publicly accessible information about you helps keep your digital footprint clean.
• Reduce the Risk of Doxxing and Harassment: Exposed personal data can be used by malicious actors to harass, stalk, or even physically harm you.
• Prevent Unsolicited Contact: Publicly available contact information can lead to unwanted marketing calls, spam emails, and other disturbances.
• Increase Vulnerability in Domestic Violence or Custody Cases: Exposed data can create more vulnerability in sensitive situations.

Step-by-Step Guide to Opting Out

Here's a detailed guide on how to remove your information from people search sites:

Step 1: Search for Your Information Online

Start by searching for your name on popular search engines like Google, Yahoo, or Bing. Enclose your full name in quotation marks (e.g., Jane Doe) for more accurate results. This will help you identify which people search sites have your personal information and are displaying it.

Step 2: Gather a List of People Search Sites

After checking the first few pages of search results, identify people search sites that may not have appeared but still contain your PII. Some services offer free scans to help you find your exposed records. Onerep, for example, provides a free scan that checks 230+ people search sites.

Step 3: Create a Dummy Email Address

Opting out of people search websites usually involves receiving verification links and codes via email. To protect your primary email address from spam and potential data breaches, create a separate email account just for opt-out requests. Consider using a temporary or alias email address.

Step 4: Visit Each Site and Search for Your Information

Visit each people search site on your list and search for your information using your name, address, phone number, or email address.

Step 5: Find the Site's Opt-Out Page

Once you find your listing, look for the site's opt-out page. These are usually found in the website footer or privacy policy. Look for links that say Opt-Out, Do Not Sell My Info, or Privacy Rights.

Step 6: Submit Your Opt-Out Request

Carefully follow the instructions provided on the opt-out page to submit your removal request. You may need to provide the exact URL of the page containing your personal information or an identification number related to your listing.

Step 7: Verify Your Request

Most sites will send you a confirmation email with a link you'll need to click to verify your request. Some may ask for phone call verification.

Step 8: Check Back to Verify Removal

It can take anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks for people-search sites to remove your information. Check back regularly to ensure your removal request has been honored.

Step 9: Keep Continuous Monitoring

People search sites constantly update their databases, so your information may reappear even after you've opted out. Continuously monitor these sites to ensure your information stays off. Google's Results About You tool can help you monitor for new mentions of you online.

Additional Tips for Protecting Your Online Privacy

• Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Use a password manager like 1Password, Bitwarden, or Dashlane to generate and store strong, unique passwords for every account.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA wherever possible to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
• Be Mindful of App Permissions: Review app permissions regularly and revoke access for apps that don't need it.
• Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi: Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions. If you must use public Wi-Fi, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your internet traffic.
• Avoid Oversharing on Social Media: Limit the amount of personal information you share on social media platforms.
• Protect Your Inbox: Use email aliases and disposable addresses to protect your main email account from spam.
• Remove information from public records: Contact your Clerk of Courts and your state's Attorney General office to request that any eligible information is removed or redacted.

Data Removal Services: Should You Pay for Privacy?

Manually opting out of people search sites can be time-consuming and tedious. Data removal services automate this process, saving you time and effort. These services scan hundreds of data brokers and people-search sites, submit opt-out requests on your behalf, and monitor for reappearance of your data.

Some popular data removal services include:

• Incogni: Best overall, known for its affordable pricing and broad coverage.
• Optery: Best for precise, verifiable data removal, offers a free tier with DIY instructions.
• DeleteMe: Most thorough, covers over 750 data broker websites.
• Kanary: Biggest reach, scans over 300 data brokers and people-finder sites.

While data removal services can be effective, they're not foolproof. Data may reappear, so continuous monitoring is essential.

The Changing Legal Landscape

As of 2025, at least thirteen states in the U.S. have passed comprehensive privacy laws that give residents stronger opt-out rights. These laws require companies to honor requests to opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal data.

Even if you don't live in one of these states, you should still submit removal requests, as most people-search sites process any request.

Conclusion

Protecting your online privacy is an ongoing process that requires vigilance and proactive measures. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can take control of your online presence, reduce your digital footprint, and minimize the risk of privacy violations.

Whether you choose to manually opt out of people search sites or use a data removal service, remember that safeguarding your personal information is an investment in your security and peace of mind.