Google does remove defamatory content in certain circumstances but they are not a court of law and cannot make legal determinations of defamation themselves. Understanding what Google will and will not do is essential to developing the right removal strategy.
When Google Will Remove Defamatory Content
Google will act on defamatory content removal requests in two main scenarios. First, if you obtain a court order from a court in your jurisdiction declaring the content to be defamatory and ordering its removal, Google will comply with that order. Second, if the content falls under other removal categories such as personal information or non-consensual images, Google may remove it through those channels even if defamation is also involved.
What Google Cannot Do
Google cannot make independent legal determinations about whether content is defamatory. They are not a court and do not have legal jurisdiction. When content does not meet their specific policy categories for removal, they generally decline to act regardless of how clearly defamatory the content appears.
The Legal Route to Defamatory Content Removal
For defamatory content that Google will not voluntarily remove, the path forward involves consulting a defamation attorney, sending a cease and desist letter to the publisher which resolves many cases without court action, and if necessary pursuing court action that results in an order which Google and other platforms must comply with.
Defamatory Content Removal Support from Promogic
Promogic manages defamatory content removal cases from initial assessment through platform reporting, legal referral, and suppression strategy. Book a free consultation at promogic.com.