Old news articles can cause real damage, especially when they show up high in Google results. Whether it’s an outdated arrest, a business dispute, or a mistake that’s long been resolved, these stories can follow you around for years.
So can you stop them from appearing?
Here’s what’s possible and what isn’t.
More DB Insights: How to Remove Google Search Results
Google Doesn’t Forget on Its Own
News sites are trusted by Google. Once an article is published, indexed, and linked, it usually sticks around unless someone takes action. Time alone won’t push it off the first page.
That’s where removal and suppression tactics come in.
Option 1: Ask the Publisher to Update or Remove It
This is the most effective solution, but also the hardest.
Tips if you want to try:
- Find the right contact (often the editor or writer)
- Be polite and direct about why the article is harmful or outdated
- Ask for a correction, update, or removal
- Suggest a “noindex” tag if full removal isn’t an option to de-index the page from Google
Some news outlets may consider updates for factual errors, resolved legal matters, or ethical concerns (like mental health or privacy).
Option 2: Request Deindexing from Google
If you can’t get the article taken down, your next step is asking Google to remove it from search results, even if it still exists online.
You’ll need to show that it violates a Google policy. For example:
- It includes private personal info (like your address or ID number)
Use the Results About You Tool - It’s outdated and no longer reflects current information
Use the Remove Outdated Content Tool - It involves defamation, harassment, or revenge content
Submit a Legal Removal Request
Google usually takes 1–4 weeks to review these requests.
Option 3: Suppress It with SEO
If removal isn’t possible, suppression is your best strategy.
This means publishing enough positive, high-quality content to push the old article down in search results, ideally off the first page, where 91% of users never look.
At ReputationDB, we do this by:
- Building personal or business websites
- Creating blogs, social media, and press content
- Ranking new pages for your name or brand terms
- Monitoring search results and adjusting over time
It’s not instant, but it works.
Final Thoughts
Stopping old news articles from showing up in Google isn’t easy, but it’s possible. You’ll need the right mix of requests, strategy, and content to take back control.
Not sure where to start? ReputationDB offers free assessments to help you decide the best path, whether it’s removal, deindexing, or suppression. Let’s fix what’s following you around.
Last updated on July 27, 2026