How to get a harmful social media post about you removed

Which posts platforms will remove

Every big platform has community rules. A post is removed when it breaks those rules, not because it is unkind or embarrassing. Read the post again with the rules in mind.

How to report a post the right way

A clear report with the right reason is much more likely to be read properly. Take a few minutes to get it right.

1. 1

   Save the evidence first

   Take screenshots that show the post, the account name, and the date. Copy the link to the post and the profile.

2. 2

   Use the report option

   Most posts have a menu, often three dots, with a report option. Report from the post itself, not just the account.

3. 3

   Pick the reason that fits

   Choose the reason that matches what really happened, such as harassment or private information.

4. 4

   Report harmful comments too

   Comments are reported on their own. Report each one that breaks the rules.

5. 5

   Report the account if it repeats

   If the same account keeps posting about you, report the account as well, and list the posts.

6. 6

   Keep a record

   Write down what you reported, when, and the reply. Most platforms show your reports in a support or help area.

Many platforms also have forms in their help centre for privacy and legal problems. These can help when a post shares your details or when you do not have an account.

Posts in groups and pages

Many harmful posts appear in local community groups, buy-and-sell groups, or pages that share arrest news. These have admins or page owners who can remove a post themselves.

• Read the group rules. Many groups ban naming people, sharing addresses, or shaming posts.
• Message an admin privately. Say which post, which rule it breaks, and ask politely for it to be removed.
• Bring proof if things changed. If charges were dropped or your record was cleared, a short note with proof can help.
• Report to the platform as well. If the admin does not reply, the platform can still act on posts that break its rules.

If the platform says no

Platforms decide each report, and sometimes they get it wrong. A "no" is not always the end.

• Ask for another review. Many platforms let you request a second look at a decision. In the EU, large platforms must explain their decisions and let you challenge them.
• Report a different problem. If the post was allowed, a comment or a reshare may still break the rules.
• Use the legal route if it fits. If a post is false and damaging, it may be defamation. That is a legal question, and we are not lawyers, so speak to a qualified lawyer first.
• Go to the police for threats. If a post threatens your safety, contact the police and keep all your evidence.

If a true post stays up, you can still make it less visible. Our guide on pushing down negative search results explains how, honestly.

Clearing the post from Google

Some public posts show up in Google when people search your name. When a post is deleted, Google can keep showing the old link and text for a while.

1. 01Post removedThe platform or author deletes it.
2. 02Old link staysGoogle still shows the old result.
3. 03Ask GoogleUse its outdated content tool.
4. 04Result clearedGoogle drops the old copy.

If a post that is still online shows your phone number or home address, Google may remove it from results for your name. Our guides on removing personal details from Google and Google's removal tools explain both.