How to Opt Out of People Search Sites: Free DIY Guide (2026)
People-search sites aggregate your home address, phone number, relatives, and employer from public records, and sell access to anyone who pays. Here is how to remove yourself, broker by broker, for free.
What are people-search sites?
People-search sites are a category of data broker that specializes in aggregating public records, voter registrations, property deeds, court records, social media profiles, and making them searchable by name. A typical profile includes your full name, current and past addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, relatives' names, and employer history.
Unlike consumer credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) which are regulated under FCRA, people-search sites operate in a lighter regulatory environment. CCPA (California), VCDPA (Virginia), and similar state laws give you the right to request deletion, but you have to exercise that right yourself, these sites do not auto-delete.
How to opt out: the general process
Search for your profile
Go to the broker's website and search your full name + city. Some brokers show multiple records, find the ones that match your information.
Locate the opt-out or privacy page
Look in the footer for links labeled "Do Not Sell My Info," "Privacy," or "Opt-Out." Some brokers hide this link, try searching the site for "opt out" or "data removal."
Submit the removal request
Most brokers use a web form that asks for your name, email, and the URL of your profile. Some require email verification. A few (notably MyLife) require a phone call.
Confirm and verify
Retain any confirmation and check the exact listing again. Provider review, verification, and indexing timing vary; a confirmation message is not proof that every copy is gone.
Escalate if appropriate
If a provider does not respond, review the privacy rights and complaint route that apply to your jurisdiction and request. OfflistMe's templates can help you prepare a request for review and sending.
Top 12 people-search sites: opt-out method and timeline
Start with these 12, they account for the majority of search traffic for people-search queries.
| Broker | Opt-out method | Time to remove | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web form | 24-48h | Opt-out guide → | |
| Web form | 24-72h | Opt-out guide → | |
| Web form | 24-48h | Opt-out guide → | |
| Web form | 72h | Opt-out guide → | |
| Web form | 24-48h | Opt-out guide → | |
| Email request | 3-7 days | Opt-out guide → | |
| Web form | 24h | Opt-out guide → | |
| Email/Phone | 3-5 days | Opt-out guide → | |
| Web form (PeopleConnect) | 3-7 days | Opt-out guide → | |
| Web form | 24-48h | Opt-out guide → | |
| Email request | 5-7 days | Opt-out guide → | |
| Web form | 24-48h | Opt-out guide → |
See all 1000+ brokers: full broker directory
Parent-company groups: one opt-out, multiple removals
Several brokers are owned by the same parent company. Opting out of the parent removes you from all affiliated sites simultaneously.
PeopleConnect
- · TruthFinder
- · Instant Checkmate
- · Intelius
- · US Search
One opt-out covers all
BeenVerified Group
- · BeenVerified
- · PeopleLooker
- · NumberGuru
- · Ownerly
One opt-out covers all
Hiya / Whitepages Group
- · Whitepages
- · Hiya
- · Spokeo
Separate opt-outs required
Thomson Reuters
- · PeopleSearch.com
- · CLEAR
Business-to-business data; consumer opt-out available
How long does DIY opt-out take?
12
Top brokers manually
(estimated 2–4 hrs)
50
Major brokers
(estimated 8–12 hrs)
1000+
Full coverage
(estimated 20–40 hrs)
OfflistMe generates the opt-out emails for all 1000+ brokers instantly. You send them, no account needed. Start with 3 free, unlock all for $9.
FAQ
Is it free to opt out of people-search sites?
Many providers publish free privacy or opt-out routes, but the legal right and any fee rule depend on the jurisdiction, provider, request, and exceptions. Third-party services may charge for preparation or follow-up; verify the provider's current notice.
How long does it take for people-search sites to remove your data?
There is no verified universal timeline. Provider processing, verification, and search-engine indexing are separate; follow the current provider instructions, retain confirmation, and verify the specific listing and search result.
Will my data come back after I opt out?
Sometimes. Providers and upstream sources can update or republish information at different times. If a listing reappears, verify it and submit the current provider route again; subscription pricing and schedules vary by service.
Do I need to opt out of every broker individually?
For the most complete removal, yes. However, some brokers are owned by the same parent company and a single opt-out covers all sister sites. For example, opting out of PeopleSmart covers FastPeopleSearch, TruthFinder, and Instant Checkmate. OfflistMe's opt-out email generator groups these parent-company relationships so you don't send redundant requests.
Related guides
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