Quick answer: how Spokeo opt out works
Spokeo provides an official opt-out page where you can request suppression of a specific listing. The process requires three things: the exact URL of your Spokeo profile, an email address you control, and a confirmation click from the email Spokeo sends after you submit the form.
Once you complete the confirmation step, the official page states the request may be processed within 24-48 hours. The result is suppression of that specific listing, not a removal of underlying public records, not a removal of your information from other data-broker sites, and not a promise that the listing will never reappear.
If you have more than one Spokeo listing, each one requires its own separate opt-out submission.
Before you start
A few things worth knowing before you open the opt-out form:
You need the listing URL first. Spokeo's opt-out form does not let you search for yourself inside the form. You must already have the direct URL of the profile page you want removed, for example, a link you found while searching spokeo.com. Locate and copy that URL before you begin.
Use an email address you can access right away. The opt-out process requires you to click a link in a confirmation email. If that email goes to spam or to an inbox you rarely check, the request will not complete.
One URL, one submission. If you have listings under different name spellings, old addresses, or separate profile pages, each one is a distinct submission. Plan to go through the process once per listing URL.
This is a suppression request, not an erasure. Spokeo aggregates publicly available records. Opting out removes the listing from Spokeo's site; it does not alter government databases, court records, or any other source Spokeo originally pulled from.
Step 1: find your Spokeo listing URL
Go to spokeo.com and search for yourself by name, phone number, address, or email, whichever surfaces your listing. When you find a profile page that contains your information, copy the full URL from your browser's address bar. It should be a direct link to that specific profile, not a search results page.
If you find more than one listing for yourself, copy each URL separately. You will need to submit a distinct opt-out request for each one.
Keep the URL in a document or note you can access during the next steps. You will also want it for your tracking records later.
Step 2: open the official Spokeo opt-out page
Navigate to Spokeo's official opt-out page. You can find it by searching for "Spokeo opt out" or by looking for a privacy or opt-out link in Spokeo's footer. Do not use third-party removal services that claim to submit opt-outs on your behalf for this process. The official form is straightforward and free.
Before submitting, take a moment to read the instructions displayed on the page. Spokeo occasionally updates its opt-out interface; following the current on-page guidance is more reliable than following any single screenshot-based walkthrough.
Step 3: submit the listing URL and email
The opt-out form has two fields:
- URL - paste the exact Spokeo listing URL you copied in Step 1.
- EMAIL ADDRESS - enter an email address you control and can check immediately.
Review both fields, then click the OPT OUT button to submit the request.
At the time this guide was verified, no phone number or government-issued ID was required on the initial form. If the form has changed since then, follow the current on-page instructions.
Step 4: check for the confirmation email
After submitting, Spokeo sends a confirmation email to the address you provided. The official opt-out page discloses: "To complete this process, we will send you a confirmation email. Please click the link in the email."
Check your inbox and your spam or junk folder for that email. Click the confirmation link to finalize the request. Without this step, the opt-out is not considered complete.
If you do not receive a confirmation email within a reasonable time:
- Check spam and promotions folders.
- Verify you entered the email address correctly.
- Consider resubmitting the form with a different email address if the first attempt does not produce a confirmation message.
What Spokeo opt out can and cannot remove
Understanding the limits of suppression helps set realistic expectations.
What opting out can do:
- Request removal of a specific Spokeo listing from Spokeo's website.
- Reduce the visibility of that profile to people searching Spokeo.
- Apply to each listing URL you submit separately.
What opting out cannot do:
- Remove information from government public records, court databases, or other official sources.
- Automatically remove your data from other data-broker or people-search websites; each site has its own opt-out process.
- Remove your information from Google's index immediately or automatically; search engines cache pages independently.
- Prevent Spokeo from re-ingesting your information if updated public records become available later.
- Serve as legal evidence of data deletion or compliance with any specific privacy statute.
If your goal is reducing your presence across multiple people-search sites, the broader data broker opt-out process covers managing requests across multiple sites.
Why a listing can come back
Spokeo may source information from publicly available records and other data sources. When those underlying sources are updated or refreshed, Spokeo may re-ingest new data and a listing for you can reappear, even if your previous opt-out was processed successfully.
This is not a sign that your original request failed. It reflects how data-broker aggregation works. If a listing reappears, you can submit a new opt-out request for the new listing URL.
Periodic checks, perhaps every few months, can help you catch reappearing listings before they circulate widely.
How to track your opt-out request
Keeping a personal record of each submission is the most reliable way to follow up if a listing reappears or if you have questions. For each opt-out request, note:
- Listing URL - the exact Spokeo profile URL you submitted.
- Submission date - the date you clicked OPT OUT.
- Email address used - the address you entered on the form.
- Confirmation received - yes or no, and the date you clicked the confirmation link.
- Follow-up date - a reminder to recheck the listing after 48-72 hours to confirm it is no longer visible.
- Recheck date - a calendar note to search for yourself again in 30-60 days.
A simple spreadsheet or note app works well for this. If you have multiple listings across different Spokeo profiles, tracking each one separately prevents confusion.
If you need to follow up on a request, Spokeo's privacy contact is listed as privacy@spokeo.com. Response times vary and are not assured; include your submission date and listing URL in any inquiry.
If you have more than one Spokeo listing
Spokeo may maintain separate profile pages for the same person under different name spellings, past addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses. Each of these is a distinct listing with its own URL, and each requires its own opt-out submission.
To find additional listings:
- Search spokeo.com using variations of your name, including middle names, maiden names, and common misspellings.
- Search using your phone numbers and email addresses, not just your name.
- Search using previous addresses you have lived at.
Each time you find a separate profile URL, add it to your tracking document and submit a separate opt-out request.
Safety and privacy tips
- Use an email address you control, but consider privacy. The email you provide on the opt-out form is used only for the confirmation step. You do not need to use your primary personal email. A dedicated address for privacy requests is reasonable.
- Do not submit sensitive personal information beyond what the form requires. The opt-out form asks for a listing URL and email address. If you encounter a version of the form asking for more, read the page carefully and follow only the current official instructions.
- Be cautious of third-party opt-out services. Some services charge fees to submit opt-out requests on your behalf. Spokeo's own opt-out process is free and straightforward; you do not need an intermediary.
- Screenshotting your submitted form or confirmation is optional but can be useful if you ever need to demonstrate you initiated a request.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to opt out of Spokeo? You need two things: the direct URL of your Spokeo listing and an email address you can check immediately. The opt-out form asks for both. You must also click the confirmation link Spokeo sends to that email to complete the process.
How long does a Spokeo opt out take? Spokeo's official opt-out page states that requests may be processed within 24-48 hours after you complete the confirmation step. Allow that window before checking whether the listing has been removed.
Will the Spokeo opt out also remove me from other people-search sites? No. Opting out of Spokeo affects only your Spokeo listing. Other data-broker and people-search sites maintain separate databases and have their own opt-out processes. The broader data broker opt-out process provides context on managing requests across multiple sites.
Can a removed Spokeo listing come back? Yes. Spokeo aggregates publicly available records, and if those underlying sources are refreshed or updated, a new listing can appear even after a prior opt-out was processed. If that happens, submitting a new opt-out request for the new listing URL is the appropriate next step.
Is Spokeo opt out free? Yes. Spokeo provides an official opt-out page at no charge. You do not need to pay a third-party service to submit this request.
What if I have multiple Spokeo listings? Each listing has its own URL and requires its own separate opt-out submission. Search for yourself using name variations, past addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses to find additional listings, then submit each URL individually.
Does opting out of Spokeo remove my information from Google search results? Not directly or immediately. Opting out suppresses the listing on Spokeo's site. Search engines cache pages independently and may continue to show the page in results for some time afterward. Once the listing is no longer accessible on Spokeo, search engines may update their results during later crawl cycles, but timing is outside the opt-out process.
What this guide does not do
This guide is general information about Spokeo's publicly documented opt-out process. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create any professional relationship.
This guide does not:
- Promise removal of your information from Spokeo or any other website.
- Promise that a submitted opt-out request will be honored or processed within any specific timeframe.
- Cover opt-out processes for other data-broker or people-search sites; each requires its own separate submission.
- Substitute for Spokeo's current on-page instructions, which may change after this guide was written.
- Constitute advice about employment, housing, credit, insurance, or other regulated eligibility decisions.
- Represent Lookup Plainly as a Consumer Reporting Agency or a provider of consumer reports.
If you have questions about your legal rights regarding personal data, consult a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction.
Source: Spokeo opt-out official page (spokeo-opt-out-official) - verified 2026-05-20, Tier A.