In today’s hyper-connected world, your address isn’t just a piece of contact info; it’s a data point that companies can sell and exploit.
Whenever you move or update your address, that information often gets picked up and distributed by banks, mailing list services, and even the US Postal Service. This makes it incredibly easy for marketers to target you — and worse, for bad actors to impersonate you in identity theft scams.
Thankfully, there are a number of ways to remove or obscure your address online. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you regain control of your personal information.
1. Blur Your Home on Map Services
Map tools like Google Maps and Apple Maps often show street-level images of your home. While useful for navigation, they also open a window into your private life. Fortunately, both platforms offer a way to blur your home.
“Visit Google Maps on desktop, enter your address, and use the ‘Report a Problem’ link to manually blur your home from Street View.”
If you use Apple Maps, you’ll need to email mapsimagecollection@apple.com with your address and a description of your property as it appears in their Look Around feature. Apple will process the request and blur your home image accordingly.
2. Remove Your Address from Google Search Results
If your address appears in a Google search — particularly when you look up your own name — you can ask Google to remove it.
“From your Google Account, navigate to Data & Privacy > History Settings > My Activity > Other Activity > Results About You, then click ‘Get Started.’”
This feature also allows you to set up alerts so Google notifies you whenever your address resurfaces. Keep in mind, however, that Google may not remove information found on government websites, news reports, or business directories.
3. Scrub Your Social Media Profiles
Many people forget they’ve added their home address to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter years ago. It’s worth double-checking your profile settings and removing any location-related details. Also take a moment to delete posts or images that might reveal your home’s exterior, street signs, or house number — small clues that can be pieced together easily.
4. Opt Out of Whitepages Listings
Whitepages.com is one of the most commonly used online directories to find personal addresses. If you discover your information there, it’s quick and easy to get it removed.
“Head to the Whitepages Suppression Request page, paste your profile URL, and submit a request for removal.”
This doesn’t just help with Whitepages — it also reduces the chances of your info being scraped by other data brokers.
5. Delete or Update Old Accounts
Over time, you’ve likely entered your address on numerous websites — for deliveries, sign-ups, memberships, and more. Some of those, like Amazon or your bank, are essential. But for others, especially old or unused accounts, it might be time to clean house.
Dig through your inbox to find services you may have forgotten about. These might include e-commerce platforms, mobile apps, advocacy groups, newsletter subscriptions, or even old sweepstakes sites. If you’re not using them, either delete the account or contact their support team to request data removal.
6. Use a PO Box for New Deliveries
If you're looking for a more permanent privacy solution, consider setting up a post office box through USPS. It keeps your real address hidden while still allowing you to receive packages and mail reliably.
“A PO Box gives you the added benefit of secure delivery, signature saving, and increased privacy.”
Applying is easy — just visit the USPS website, pick a location and size, and pay a small monthly fee. Depending on the size and city, prices typically range between $15 to $30 per month.
In a world where your personal information is increasingly exposed, your home address deserves extra protection.Taking control now can help prevent unwanted marketing, preserve your peace of mind, and protect against identity theft in the long run.