Use both Google and Bing removal forms if an old search result is hurting you, because one approval does not clean up the other search engine. Google and Bing are separate doors. Knock on both. Bring receipts.
TLDR: The Right to Be Forgotten lets some people ask search engines to hide outdated, harmful, or irrelevant results from name searches. For example, if “Sam Patel tax fine 2012” still appears when employers search Sam’s name, Sam can ask Google and Bing to remove that result from search pages. Google has far more search traffic, often above 80% in many markets, so start there. But do not ignore Bing, because one stubborn result can still be found by recruiters, banks, or nosy neighbors.
What “Right to Be Forgotten” Means
The Right to Be Forgotten sounds like a magic wand. It is not. It is more like asking the internet bouncer to stop pointing at an old photo of you.
In simple terms, it lets people ask search engines to remove certain results linked to their name. This often applies in the EU, the UK, and a few other places with strong privacy rules.
Here is the key part. The content usually stays online. The newspaper story, blog post, court page, or forum thread may still exist. Google or Bing may only remove it from search results for your name.
So if someone searches “Maria Rossi”, the result might vanish. If they search the exact article title, it may still appear. Annoying? Yes. But still useful.
Google vs Bing: The Big Difference
Google matters more for reach. It has the bigger audience. If a bad result appears on Google, more people may see it. That includes clients, dates, landlords, and hiring managers with too much curiosity.
Bing still matters. Bing powers searches used in Microsoft products. It can appear through Edge, Windows search, Copilot-style tools, and some partner systems. So yes, Bing can still surprise you from the bushes.
Think of it like cleaning two windows. Google is the giant front window. Bing is the side window. If you clean only one, people can still peek through the other.
How Google Handles Removal Requests
Google has a dedicated form for privacy-based removals. It asks for your country, your name, the URLs, and the reason the results should be removed.
You usually need to explain why the result is:
- Outdated, like an old debt that was settled years ago.
- Irrelevant, like a minor story that no longer reflects your life.
- Excessive, like a result that causes more harm than public benefit.
- Inaccurate, if the page gives a false picture.
Google may also ask for proof of identity. This helps stop random people from trying to erase pages about someone else. That part is fair, even if uploading ID feels about as fun as chewing cardboard.
Google is usually more polished. The form is clearer. The process feels more mature. You may get a decision by email. Sometimes it takes days. Sometimes weeks. If the case is touchy, expect more waiting.
Where Google can be painful is precision. You need the exact URLs from search results. Not the homepage. Not “that article somewhere.” The exact link. One missing character can waste your time. It drives me crazy that a tiny copied link error can make a serious request feel like a printer jam.
How Bing Handles Removal Requests
Bing also has a removal request process. It can handle privacy requests, legal removals, and outdated content issues. The form may feel simpler, but that does not always mean easier.
Bing may ask for:
- Your full name.
- Your contact details.
- The search terms used.
- The URLs you want removed.
- A short reason for each request.
- Proof that you are the person affected.
Bing’s process may feel less visible than Google’s. You may not always get the same level of detail about why a request passed or failed. Honestly, it can feel like sending a note into a quiet basement.
Still, do it. Bing can keep showing results after Google removes them. That is the part people forget. Then six months later, a recruiter uses Bing and boom. The zombie result returns.
Which One Should You Use First?
Start with Google. It has the bigger impact. Then file with Bing right after. Do not wait for Google to answer before starting Bing. That only stretches the pain.
A smart order looks like this:
- Search your full name on Google.
- Copy every harmful result URL.
- Search the same name on Bing.
- Copy those URLs too.
- Take screenshots with dates visible if possible.
- File Google’s request.
- File Bing’s request.
- Save every confirmation email.
Use a spreadsheet if there are many links. Yes, a spreadsheet. Glamorous? No. Helpful? Very.
What Gets Approved?
Search engines weigh your privacy against public interest. That is the core fight.
You have a stronger case if the result is about a private person, an old issue, or a minor event. You may have a weaker case if you are a public figure, a senior executive, a politician, or the result involves fraud, safety, or public money.
Examples that may work:
- An old bankruptcy that no longer reflects your finances.
- A minor criminal charge that was dismissed.
- A personal address posted in an old directory.
- A forum post with private medical details.
Examples that may fail:
- A recent news story about a serious crime.
- A public warning about professional misconduct.
- A court record with strong public interest.
- A page about a current business scam claim.
Google vs Bing: Quick Scorecard
| Feature | Bing | |
|---|---|---|
| Reach | Much larger | Smaller, but still useful |
| Form quality | More polished | Simple, sometimes less clear |
| Best first step | Yes | Use right after Google |
| Result removal | Only affects Google | Only affects Bing |
What to Write in the Request
Keep it calm. Do not rant. Do not write a novel. A clear request wins more often than a furious one.
Use this simple structure:
- Who you are: “I am the person named in this result.”
- What you want: “Please remove this URL from results for my name.”
- Why: “The event is old, resolved, and no longer relevant.”
- Harm: “It affects job searches and gives a misleading impression.”
- Proof: Add documents if needed.
A good line might be:
“This result concerns a dismissed charge from 2014. It appears for searches of my full name. The page is outdated and causes harm during employment screening. I request removal from search results for my name.”
Short. Clear. No drama llama.
Common Mistakes
People often trip on the same things. Avoid these:
- Sending only the website name instead of the exact URL.
- Filing with Google but forgetting Bing.
- Asking to delete the whole internet page.
- Using emotional language instead of facts.
- Forgetting to search name variations.
Try searches with middle names, old surnames, nicknames, and city names. Bad results love hiding in weird corners.
What If They Say No?
You can appeal or send a better request. Add facts. Add proof. Explain the age, the harm, and why public interest is low.
You can also contact the website owner. If the source page gets updated or removed, ask Google and Bing to refresh their results. This is useful for pages that still show old snippets.
If the issue is serious, speak with a privacy lawyer or digital reputation specialist. That is not always cheap. But for major job, business, or safety risks, it may be worth it.
The Simple Takeaway
Google is the first stop. Bing is the stop people forget. Use both. Keep records. Be specific. Stay calm.
The Right to Be Forgotten will not erase your past with a comic-book zap. But it can lower the volume. And sometimes, that is enough to make life feel normal again.
