Opting out of a data broker means submitting a removal request through that specific site’s own process — most people-search sites do not share opt-out lists with each other, so removing yourself from one does not remove you from the rest. This guide covers verified, current opt-out steps for the ten highest-traffic people-search sites, the ones most likely to surface when someone searches your name.
For the broader framework — how to find where your data lives, when a paid removal service makes sense, and what you genuinely cannot remove — see How to Remove Your Personal Information from the Internet. This article picks up from there with the concrete, site-by-site steps.
Step-by-Step: The 10 Highest-Impact Sites
Spokeo
- Search for your name on spokeo.com and open your profile to copy its exact URL.
- Go to spokeo.com/optout, paste your profile URL, and enter your email address.
- Click “Remove This Listing,” then check your email and click the verification link to confirm.
Typical processing time: 24–48 hours after verification
Whitepages
- Find your listing on whitepages.com and copy the profile URL.
- Go to whitepages.com/suppression-requests, paste the URL, and click Next.
- Confirm your name and address match, click “Remove Me,” and select a removal reason.
- Whitepages requires phone verification — enter a phone number where they can send a verification code; there is no email-only path through the standard form.
Typical processing time: Often within hours, typically under 72 hours
BeenVerified
- Go to BeenVerified.com, scroll to the footer, and click “Do Not Sell My Personal Information.”
- Enter your first and last name and select your state, then search to locate your record.
- Check your email for a verification message and click “Verify Opt-Out.”
Typical processing time: 24–72 hours
The PeopleConnect Network (Intelius, TruthFinder, US Search, Instant Checkmate)
- Go to intelius.com, scroll to the footer, and click “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information.”
- Expand “View Public Data Tools” and select “Manage My Suppression Rules.”
- Enter your email, agree to the terms, and continue — the verification link expires after 15 minutes, so complete the next step promptly.
- In the email, enter your date of birth and full legal name, then set your listing status to “Suppressed” and save.
Typical processing time: Up to 72 hours — one request covers all four PeopleConnect-owned sites
MyLife
- Go to mylife.com/privacyrequest, paste your profile URL, and enter your name, city, state, and zip.
- Complete the CAPTCHA and submit.
- Check your email within a few minutes for a verification link and click it to activate the request.
- If the form does not work, email privacy@mylife.com directly with your full name, current address, and a clear removal request.
Typical processing time: 3–7 business days, sometimes faster
Radaris
- Go to radaris.com/control-privacy and follow the guided removal steps, or search for your record directly and select it for opt-out.
- Confirm the request via the verification email Radaris sends.
- If you have multiple records, contact Radaris support directly to have them all removed — the standard form only handles one record at a time.
Typical processing time: Reflected in search results within about 24 hours after confirmation
FastPeopleSearch
- Go to fastpeoplesearch.com/removal, enter your email, confirm you are the subject of the record, and complete the CAPTCHA.
- Search for your listing by name, city, and state, then submit the removal request for each listing found.
- Complete the second confirmation form sent to your email.
Typical processing time: 72 hours; recheck since this site refreshes automatically
PeopleFinders
- Go to peoplefinders.com/manage/optout.aspx and search for your listing by name and state.
- Enter your email and complete the CAPTCHA.
- Open the verification email, click through to the form, fill in the required fields, and submit.
Typical processing time: 3–7 days, occasionally up to 15 days
Nuwber
- Search your name, city, and state on nuwber.com and copy your profile link from the address bar.
- Scroll to the footer, click “Remove My Info” under Help, and paste your profile link into the opt-out form.
- Enter your email and confirm the removal request.
Typical processing time: Up to 48 hours
USPhoneBook
- Go to usphonebook.com/opt-out and search by name or phone number to find your listing.
- Select your record and choose the remove/opt-out option.
- Enter your email for verification and click the confirmation link USPhoneBook sends.
Typical processing time: 24–72 hours after confirmation
Quick Reference
| Site | Verification Required | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|
| Spokeo | 24–48 hrs | |
| Whitepages | Phone (required) | Under 72 hrs |
| BeenVerified | 24–72 hrs | |
| PeopleConnect network (4 sites) | Email + date of birth | Up to 72 hrs |
| MyLife | 3–7 business days | |
| Radaris | ~24 hrs | |
| FastPeopleSearch | Email (two forms) | 72 hrs |
| PeopleFinders | 3–7 days | |
| Nuwber | Up to 48 hrs | |
| USPhoneBook | 24–72 hrs |
If Doing This Manually Feels Like Too Much
Ten sites, each with its own form and verification step, is a real time investment — and this list covers only the highest-impact sites, not the full long tail of smaller broker sites that also carry your data. If that scope feels unmanageable, a data removal service like Omni DataSafe automates this same process across a much larger list of sites and re-submits removals automatically as profiles reappear. It is worth considering if your time is the constraint; the manual process above works just as well if it is not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to opt out of every site on this list?
Only the sites where you actually find a listing. Search each site by name first — not everyone has a profile on every people-search site.
Why does Whitepages require a phone number when other sites only need email?
Whitepages added phone verification specifically to reduce fraudulent opt-out requests submitted on someone else’s behalf; there is currently no way to complete their standard opt-out without it.
Is it true that Intelius, TruthFinder, US Search, and Instant Checkmate share one opt-out?
Yes. All four are owned by PeopleConnect and use a shared Suppression Center, so one completed request removes your listing from all four.
Will my information come back after I opt out?
Yes, typically within a few months, since these sites continuously re-scrape public records. Rechecking every 3 to 6 months is a realistic part of the process, not a sign something went wrong.
Do any of these sites charge a fee to opt out?
No. Every process listed here is free. Sites that charge a fee to “remove” your listing while offering free opt-out through a hidden or harder-to-find form are common — always look for the free opt-out path first.
What if I can’t find the opt-out page on a site?
Most people-search sites are legally required to offer an opt-out, but often bury the link in the footer under labels like “Do Not Sell My Info” or “Privacy.” If you genuinely cannot find it, the site’s customer support line (listed above where available) can usually process the request directly.
Should I use a dedicated email address for these requests?
It is a reasonable precaution. Some opt-out requesters have reported being added to marketing lists afterward, so a separate email address limits any resulting spam to one inbox.
Does opting out of these sites stop identity theft?
No, but it reduces one specific source of exposure that makes identity theft and harassment easier to carry out. It is one part of a broader prevention strategy, not a complete solution on its own.
Recommended Next Reading
- How to Google Yourself — search techniques to find where your information is exposed, before you start opting out.
- How to Remove Your Personal Information from the Internet — the general framework this guide builds on.
- What Are Data Brokers? — understand the industry behind these sites.
- Identity Theft: Complete Guide to Prevention and Recovery — why reducing this exposure matters.