A news article removal request checklist
Use this when a story still ranks and you need a factual outreach plan—not a spam campaign.
Save the live evidence
Screenshot the SERP and the article, note the URL, byline, date and what is outdated or wrong. Guessing later wastes the publisher’s time.
Find the right desk
Corrections, standards or the managing editor beat a random tip form. Use the outlet’s published corrections path when it exists.
Ask for a specific remedy
Correction, update note, unpublish or noindex—pick one primary ask. Vague “take this down” emails get ignored.
Plan the backup
If the publisher refuses, decide whether counsel, a Google legal removal path or suppression work is next. Do not buy link schemes.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Platform and search engine policies change; links go to each one’s own page.