The page is still online. Will a refresh request remove it?

No. Google’s tool is for pages or images that no longer exist, or pages that have deleted important content. If the page is still up as it was, the first request goes to the site that publishes it.

What words should I enter when the page still exists?

Google asks for one or two words that were in the search result’s snippet but are no longer on the live page.

How long does a refresh take?

Google says a pending request is being processed and that processing can take a few days. Once approved, the update should be live in its results.

Why did my request expire?

Google says a request expires 180 days after it was approved, or when the address no longer exists.

Does Bing have the same kind of request?

Yes. Bing’s Content Removal Tool takes a page removal request for a page that is gone, or an outdated cache removal for one that has changed.

I own the site. Should I use the refresh tool?

Google says the tool is for people who don’t own the site. As the owner, Google points you to asking it to recrawl the page, or to hide it.

Guide · Outdated results

The page is gone but still shows in Google or Bing

When a page has already been taken down or changed, a search engine can keep showing the old title, description, or copy for a while. Google and Bing each have a free request that asks them to update it. Neither one works on a page that is still online as it was.

Last reviewed September 30, 2026 · Official sources checked September 30, 2026

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Before you start

What to have ready. Keep private images and files with you: none of these requests asks you to send them to us.

Proof for yourself that the page is gone or changed: open it and check.
The page’s exact web address, as the search result shows it.
If the page still exists but something was taken out of it: one or two words that were in the search result’s snippet and are no longer on the live page. Google asks for them.
For a photo, the image’s link from the search engine’s image results.
Whether you own the site. Google’s tool is for people who don’t; site owners have their own ways to ask Google to update.

Five steps: confirm the page is gone or the words are gone from it, use Google’s Refresh Outdated Content tool, use Bing’s Content Removal Tool, follow the status (Google says pending requests can take a few days), and the search engine updates the result or denies the request.

On Google

Google says its Refresh Outdated Content tool is for updating results for pages or images that no longer exist, or pages that have deleted important content, and that it is meant for people who do not own the site.

Open Google’s Refresh Outdated Content tool and select Request refresh.Google's Refresh Outdated Content tool (opens in a new tab)
On the Page tab, enter the web address of the page, then select Submit.
If the page still exists but has changed, Google asks for one or two words that were in the search result’s snippet but are no longer on the live page.
For an image: on Google Images, right-click the thumbnail and select Copy link address, then start a new request on the Image tab and paste it.
Check the status of the request in the same tool.

What Google’s statuses mean

Pending: Google is processing the request. It says processing can take a few days.
Approved: the update was approved and should be live in Google’s results.
Denied: Google did not make the change. Its help page links to the reasons.
Expired: a request expires 180 days after it was approved, or when the address no longer exists.
Cancelled: cancelled by the person who asked, or by a verified site owner.

On Bing

Open Bing’s Content Removal Tool.Bing's Content Removal Tool (opens in a new tab)
Ask for a page removal if the page is gone, or an outdated cache removal if it has changed.

If you own the site

Google says the refresh tool is for people who don’t own the page. If you own it, Google points you to asking it to recrawl the page, or to hide it.

If the page is still online

These tools only update search results for pages that have already changed. If the page is still up, the first request goes to the site that publishes it. Google and Bing each have separate requests for narrow situations, covered in our other guides.

Questions

The page is still online. Will a refresh request remove it?: No. Google’s tool is for pages or images that no longer exist, or pages that have deleted important content. If the page is still up as it was, the first request goes to the site that publishes it.
What words should I enter when the page still exists?: Google asks for one or two words that were in the search result’s snippet but are no longer on the live page.
How long does a refresh take?: Google says a pending request is being processed and that processing can take a few days. Once approved, the update should be live in its results.
Why did my request expire?: Google says a request expires 180 days after it was approved, or when the address no longer exists.
Does Bing have the same kind of request?: Yes. Bing’s Content Removal Tool takes a page removal request for a page that is gone, or an outdated cache removal for one that has changed.
I own the site. Should I use the refresh tool?: Google says the tool is for people who don’t own the site. As the owner, Google points you to asking it to recrawl the page, or to hide it.

When doing it yourself is not enough

When the page is still up and a single search result or review is the problem, our negative review removal page shows the price and what it includes.

Negative review removal

We are an independent removal agency, not the platform and not a law firm. The platform, search engine, or court makes the decision.

Official sources

Every fact above comes from these pages, read on September 30, 2026. Platforms change their forms; if a step looks different, the official page is the one to follow.