A Guide to Remove ‘ttps://docs.google.com/document/pii_deleted’ from Google Search
If you’ve ever come across the URL “ttps://docs.google.com/document/pii_deleted” while searching on Google, you might be wondering what it means—and more importantly, how to remove it from search results. This guide walks you through what this URL indicates, why it appears, how it relates to PII (Personally Identifiable Information), and what steps you can take to ensure it doesn’t surface publicly.
What is ‘ttps://docs.google.com/document/pii_deleted’?
The URL “ttps://docs.google.com/document/pii_deleted” (often seen without the “h” in “https” for security reasons) typically refers to a placeholder or redacted version of a Google Doc that originally contained PII—Personally Identifiable Information. Google, in its efforts to comply with privacy laws such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act), may replace URLs in search results with redacted versions like this to protect user data.
In essence, this means a Google Doc was indexed by Google, then flagged—either manually or through automated tools—for containing sensitive personal data like names, emails, phone numbers, or addresses. When action is taken to remove or redact such data, the public-facing URL may show up as pii_deleted to signify that the original content included protected data.
Why Does This URL Show Up in Google Search?
There are a few reasons this redacted URL might appear in search results:
The Document Was Publicly Shared
If you published a Google Doc with the setting “Anyone with the link can view,” it’s possible that Google indexed it.Sensitive Data Was Detected
If the document contained emails, phone numbers, SSNs, or other private identifiers, it may have triggered Google’s detection systems or someone may have reported it.Google Removed the Content But Left a Trace
In some cases, Google will remove the actual page from its index but retain a placeholder, which appears as “pii_deleted” to indicate redacted personal data.User Reported a Privacy Concern
Anyone can report a Google Doc that contains personal information. When Google investigates and confirms the presence of PII, it may remove the doc from search and replace it with a placeholder URL.
Risks of Having Documents with PII Indexed by Google
If your Google Docs are indexed and contain personal information, it can pose significant risks, including:
Identity theft
Legal liability
Brand reputation damage
Privacy breaches
It’s crucial to audit your publicly shared documents and remove or redact any personal data.
How to Remove ‘ttps://docs.google.com/document/pii_deleted’ from Google Search
Here’s a step-by-step guide to completely remove or clean up this URL from search results:
Step 1: Locate the Document
Even though the URL is partially redacted, you may recognize the document based on:
Context of what you shared
Shared folders or file titles
Alerts from Google Search Console
If you suspect the document is yours, act quickly.
Step 2: Change Sharing Settings
Navigate to the Google Doc and:
Click on the Share button.
Set visibility to Restricted.
Remove any users or groups who should no longer access the file.
This stops Google from re-indexing the document in the future.
Step 3: Remove the Document from Google Search
Option A: Use Google’s Removal Tool
If the document has already been indexed:
Visit: Google Search Removal Tool
Enter the full URL (if known) or any known part of it.
Submit a request to remove outdated content.
Note: If you don’t have the exact URL, you can often find it in Google Search Console or cached pages.
Option B: Request PII Removal
If you’re a victim of exposed PII:
Select the type of information (e.g., doxxing, financial info, etc.).
Provide supporting evidence and submit.
This is useful if you see pii_deleted in a search result but don’t control the document.
Step 4: Clear the Document’s Cache
Even after taking down the document, a cached version may still appear.
Visit the cached version from Google search (click the small triangle next to the URL).
Check if it still displays sensitive info.
Use the Outdated Content Tool to request cache removal.
Step 5: Monitor Search Results
After completing the above steps:
Set up Google Alerts for your name or company.
Use SEO tools (like Ahrefs or SEMrush) to track your site and document URLs.
Periodically audit shared Google Docs and Sheets.
Preventive Measures: Keep PII Out of Public Docs
To avoid this issue in the future:
Never include private information in public-facing documents.
Use data masking or pseudonyms when sharing sensitive data.
Always review sharing settings before publishing or sharing a Google Doc.
Limit document access to only necessary users.
FAQ About ‘ttps://docs.google.com/document/pii_deleted’
Q: Is it safe to click on a ‘pii_deleted’ URL?
A: Generally, no. These URLs are redacted because the original content included sensitive data. If the link still works, it’s likely been made private or deleted.
Q: Can I find out who reported my document for PII?
A: No. Google doesn’t disclose who submitted a report due to privacy concerns.
Q: How long does it take for Google to remove content after submission?
A: Typically, 24–72 hours, but it can take longer depending on the complexity of the request.
Q: Why does the URL say “ttps” instead of “https”?
A: This is usually done in blog posts or forums to prevent hyperlinking and accidental clicks on sensitive or inactive URLs.
Q: What happens if I ignore this?
A: The content could still be cached or screen-captured, leading to potential legal or privacy consequences.
Final Thoughts
Seeing “ttps://docs.google.com/document/pii_deleted” in Google search results is a red flag that your content—likely a Google Doc—once exposed personal information. It’s essential to act swiftly to secure your data, request content removal, and take preventive steps for the future.
By understanding what this placeholder URL represents and following the right removal steps, you can regain control over your digital footprint and ensure your private information stays private.