Data Privacy Laws

How to Opt Out of Spokeo (2026)

Independently fact-checkedBy Recording Law Editorial Team8 min read
How to Opt Out of Spokeo (2026)

Spokeo lets you remove a public listing for free: paste the profile's URL, confirm by email, and the listing comes down in about 24 to 48 hours, by Spokeo's own stated timeline. This guide walks through the verified flow, what Spokeo shows about you, and why removal does not stay permanent on its own.

Opt-out flow verified: August 14, 2026

What Spokeo Shows About You

Spokeo describes itself as aggregating "publicly available information from third party sources" into a searchable profile: name, age range, address history, phone numbers, relatives, and social media links are the core fields the site is built around. Spokeo's own opt-out page states that it does not share or sell Social Security numbers, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, which implies the underlying dataset is broader than the public-facing profile and that Spokeo draws a line around certain categories rather than excluding sensitive data altogether.

Because Spokeo pulls from public records and re-ingests new data on an ongoing basis, a profile can include old addresses, past phone numbers, and named relatives that a person would not have volunteered themselves.

The Verified Opt-Out Flow

This is the process as it appears on spokeo.com/optout, read directly.

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  1. Search your name on Spokeo and open your profile. Copy the profile's exact URL from your browser's address bar (it looks like spokeo.com/First-Last/City/ST/p12345678).
  2. Go to spokeo.com/optout.
  3. Paste the profile URL into the URL field.
  4. Enter an email address. Spokeo uses this only to send a confirmation link, not to create an account.
  5. Click "Opt Out."
  6. Check your inbox and click the confirmation link. Spokeo will not process the removal until the link is clicked.
  7. Allow 24 to 48 hours, per Spokeo's stated processing window.
  8. Repeat steps 1 through 7 for every additional listing. Multiple profiles are common if you have moved, changed your name, or share a name with relatives.

If your listing came from unlocking a paid background report rather than a public search result, Spokeo's form also accepts that transaction's URL in place of the profile URL.

Difficulty: Easy. No account creation, no purchase, and a single web form with two fields. The friction is entirely in finding every listing URL and repeating the process per listing, plus the wait for the confirmation email.

Relisting: Why This Is Not a One-Time Fix

Spokeo's own opt-out page states it plainly: opting out removes a listing from Spokeo but not from the original source, and "since we continually receive new and updated records from public sources, your information may reappear on Spokeo in the future without notice." Treat this as an ongoing task rather than a single errand. Searching your own name on Spokeo every few months is the only way to catch a re-listing early.

The FCRA Line

Spokeo states directly on its site: "Spokeo is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Do not use this site to make decisions about credit, employment, tenant screening, or any purpose covered by the FCRA." That disclaimer exists because the Federal Trade Commission has enforcement history here. In June 2012, the FTC announced an $800,000 settlement with Spokeo over allegations tied to marketing consumer profile data for employment-screening use without the safeguards FCRA requires for a consumer reporting agency. The current disclaimer and the site's FCRA-use restrictions date from that enforcement history. This guide covers the personal-use opt-out only; do not use Spokeo, or any people-search site, to screen a job or rental applicant.

California: DROP and CCPA Rights on Top of Spokeo's Own Tool

California residents are not limited to Spokeo's own form. The state's Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform (DROP), run by the California Privacy Protection Agency, has accepted consumer deletion requests since January 1, 2026, and registered data brokers have been required to process those requests since August 1, 2026. If Spokeo is registered with the CPPA, a DROP submission reaches it alongside every other registered broker in a single request; check the CPPA's public data broker registry to confirm registration before relying on DROP alone. Separately, the CCPA gives California residents an individual right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information and, subject to exceptions, a right to request deletion. For the full mechanics of DROP, GPC, and per-state registries, see How to Opt Out of Data Brokers and CCPA Opt-Out Rights.

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Outside California, no state currently offers a single-request tool that reaches Spokeo the way DROP does; Spokeo's own opt-out form above is the direct path for every reader regardless of state.

If Spokeo Does Not Comply

Spokeo's customer care team can be reached through the contact link on its site or by emailing privacy@spokeo.com. If a submitted request is ignored past the stated 24 to 48 hour window, or a listing reappears immediately after removal, document the date of your request and the listing URL, then:

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I opt out of Spokeo for free, without paying for anything?

Use the free opt-out form at spokeo.com/optout. Enter your profile's URL and an email address, then confirm through the link Spokeo emails you. Spokeo does not require payment, an account, or a subscription to process a removal request. Any "unlock this report" or purchase prompt you see elsewhere on the site is a separate paid product, not the opt-out.

How long does it take Spokeo to remove my listing?

Spokeo states that opt-out requests are processed within 24 to 48 hours of confirming the request by email, though the company notes the exact timing can depend on the nature of the request and the amount of data involved.

I opted out of Spokeo before. Why is my information back?

Spokeo continually ingests new and updated public records, so a profile that was removed can be rebuilt from a new data source without any notice to you. Spokeo's own opt-out page states this directly. Re-search your name periodically and resubmit the opt-out form for any new listing.

Do I have to opt out of every Spokeo listing separately?

Yes. Spokeo identifies each listing by its own unique URL, and the opt-out form only removes the listing tied to the URL you submit. If you have multiple profiles, for example from a name change, a shared name with a relative, or old addresses, you need to find and submit each URL individually.

Can I use California's DROP tool to remove myself from Spokeo?

If Spokeo is registered as a data broker with the California Privacy Protection Agency, a DROP request submitted at the state's platform should reach it along with every other registered broker. Check the CPPA's public data broker registry to confirm registration. California residents can also use Spokeo's own opt-out form directly, and doing both is a reasonable belt-and-suspenders approach.

Is it legal for Spokeo to use my information for a background check?

Spokeo states on its own site that it is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and that its data should not be used for credit, employment, or tenant-screening decisions. In 2012, the FTC settled FCRA-related charges against Spokeo for $800,000 tied to earlier marketing of profile data for employment screening. Do not use Spokeo, or any similar site, to evaluate a job or rental applicant.

Updates

Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources

Sources and References

  1. Spokeo's opt-out form: submission fields, confirmation-email requirement, and stated 24-48 hour processing window(spokeo.com)
  2. Spokeo Privacy Policy: FCRA disclaimer and data-category disclosures(spokeo.com)
  3. California Privacy Protection Agency: DROP platform live date and regulatory background(cppa.ca.gov).gov
  4. California Privacy Protection Agency: data broker registration, DROP compliance deadline, and registry(cppa.ca.gov).gov
  5. FTC press release: Spokeo to Pay $800,000 to Settle FTC Charges (June 2012)(ftc.gov).gov
  6. Global Privacy Control: specification and browser-signal mechanism(globalprivacycontrol.org)
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