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      Google Search Console | How to Remove Outdated Content from Google Search Results

      Outdated content in Google search results can lead to confusion and misrepresentation of your website. Although Google typically updates its search index over time, there are instances when you may need to expedite the process. In this guide, we will walk through how to remove outdated content from a website using Google Search Console tools.

      Google Search Console Tools for Removing Outdated Content

      Google provides two essential tools for managing outdated content. The Refresh Outdated Content Tool is available to all users and allows them to update or remove snippets and cached pages from outdated URLs. Removals Tool in Google Search Console is specifically for site owners, offering the ability to temporarily hide URLs and clear their cached versions.

      Refresh Outdated Content Tool

      When to Use This Tool:

      • Use if you do not own the web page.
      • The page or image no longer exists, or the content has been changed or removed, but still appears in search results.
      • 💡 If you own the website, you can use this option or the Removals Tool in Search Console for temporary removals or to clear cached pages.

      Steps to Remove Outdated Content Using the Refresh Outdated Content Tool

      1. Visit the Remove Outdated Content page.
      2. Sign in with your Google account if you aren't already logged in.
      • For Web Pages:
        • Enter the URL of the page with outdated content into the tool.
        • If the page still exists but the content has changed, you may be asked to provide one or two words that used to appear on the page but are no longer present.
        • Click Submit.
          • Google will review your request and, if accepted, update or remove the snippet and cached copy from search results, usually within a few days.
      • For Images:
        • Find the image in Google Images, right-click, and copy the link address.
        • Paste the image URL into the tool, select Image, and submit your request.

      Monitoring Your Request

      • Check the status of your removal request directly in the tool or within Google Search Console if applicable.

      Removals Tool

      When to Use This Tool:

      Using the Removals Tool in Google Search Console for Website Owners

      1. Sign in to your Google account to access Google Search Console.
      2. From the dashboard, select the property (website) that you want to manage the search results for.
      3. In the left-hand menu, click on "Index."
      4. Under the "Index" section, select "Removals."
      5. Click the "New Request" button to start the removal process.
      6. You will be presented with two options:
        1. Temporary Remove URL: This option hides the URL from Google Search results for approximately six months and clears the cached copy.
        2. Clear Cached URL: This option clears the cached copy of the page and the page description snippet in search results until the page is crawled again.
      7. Input the URLs you want to remove or clear. Ensure each URL is correct to avoid any unintentional removals.
      8. Once you've entered the necessary URLs, click "Submit" to send your request to Google.

      Monitoring the Status

      • After submission, you can monitor the status of your request on the "Removals" page. This section will show whether your request is pending, approved, or completed.
      • This section will also display temporary removals (hides the URL for about six months and clears the cache).

      Additional Details and Limitations

      • The Refresh Outdated Content Tool is available to anyone, not just site owners.
        • It removes the snippet and cached version, but the URL may still appear in search results until Google re-crawls and updates its index.
      • Temporary removal requests expire after about 90 days for temporary removals and six months for some cache removals. The content may reappear if the page is still accessible and not blocked from indexing.
      • For permanent removal, ensure the content is deleted from the site or blocked from indexing (e.g., via robots.txt or meta noindex).

      For more detailed information, visit Google's support page on removing outdated content.