Removing your website from Google’s search index can be challenging, especially if you can’t verify ownership through Search Console.
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Google’s John Mueller recently addressed this issue on Reddit, providing guidance for users seeking to eliminate their sites from search results without direct access to Google’s verification tools.
Understanding the Challenge
Many users find themselves needing to remove outdated or unwanted websites from Google search results without the ability to verify ownership.
This situation often arises when the site was built using platforms like Canva and access to the original hosting is limited.
User Inquiry on Reddit
A Reddit user, unfamiliar with technical processes but utilizing Canva for web design, sought assistance in removing their discontinued website from Google’s search listings.
The user explained that despite taking the website down on Canva’s platform, the site remnants continued appearing in search results. This led them to seek advice on effectively removing the site without the typical verification methods.
In response, community members directed the user to Google’s ‘Remove Outdated Content’ tool.
This tool is specifically designed for pages or images that no longer exist or have significantly changed, allowing users to request their removal from search results.
The Bottom Line
John Mueller emphasized that to successfully remove old web pages from Google’s index, the content must be deleted from the hosting platform.
Additionally, if a new website exists, setting up redirects from the old pages to the new ones can help ensure a smoother transition and signal Google to update its index accordingly.
