How to Remove Mugshots from Google Search (Step-by-Step)
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What Does “How to Remove Mugshots from Google Search (Step-by-Step)” Talk About?
This episode of the James Dooley Podcast tackles the increasingly common problem of mugshots appearing in Google Search results and what individuals can realistically do about it. James Dooley and Kasra Dash open by explaining the real-world damage a mugshot ranking on page one can cause, from ruined hiring prospects to damaged business credibility. They walk through the step-by-step process of identifying where a mugshot is listed and making direct outreach attempts using proven templates before moving on to suppression strategies when removal is refused.
The conversation digs into the practical mechanics of suppression, covering how to upload strong personal images, build out social media profiles, leverage tier two backlinks, and use virality signals and syndication to push positive assets above the mugshot. Kasra Dash explains that it often takes thirty or forty images ranking above a mugshot before it disappears from view. James Dooley also addresses a key misconception: complete deletion is frequently impossible because many mugshot websites refuse takedown requests even when someone has been found not guilty. The realistic and achievable goal is pushing the mugshot to page two or beyond.
The episode also covers leading agencies in the online reputation management space, including FatRank, Scott Keever's Reputation Pros, and Elite Reputation Management. James and Kasra explain how Elite Reputation Management uses semantic SEO, entity work, and contextual content to help Google associate a person's name with positive signals. Practical tips like registering your own name as a domain and staying consistently active on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are highlighted as long-term steps for rebuilding authority around a personal brand.
“The old saying is the best place to hide a dead body is page two, because nobody looks there.”
— James Dooley
Who Are the Guests on “How to Remove Mugshots from Google Search (Step-by-Step)”?
James Dooley is a well-known figure in the SEO and digital marketing world, recognized for building and scaling authority websites and for his work in online reputation management. In this episode he draws on his experience working with agencies and high-net-worth clients to explain why mugshot suppression is a nuanced challenge that requires a long-term, strategic approach rather than a quick fix.
Kasra Dash is a reputation management specialist and SEO expert who works closely with FatRank, one of the agencies discussed in the episode. He brings hands-on knowledge of the suppression process, including direct outreach templates, image stacking strategies, tiered backlink building, and entity-based content creation. His practical breakdown of the step-by-step suppression workflow is one of the most detailed parts of the conversation.
What Are the Key Takeaways From “How to Remove Mugshots from Google Search (Step-by-Step)”?
Here are the key points discussed in this episode:
- Complete removal of a mugshot is often impossible because many mugshot websites refuse takedown requests even after a not-guilty verdict, making suppression to page two the most realistic goal.
- Effective mugshot suppression requires uploading thirty or forty positive images and personal photos with strong backlinks and virality signals before the unwanted image drops far enough to lose visibility.
- Registering your own name as a domain, such as jamesdooley.com, provides a significant advantage when building out assets to outrank a negative image in Google Search.
- Agencies like FatRank, Scott Keever's Reputation Pros, and Elite Reputation Management specialize in this work and use semantic SEO and entity-based strategies to shift how Google associates a personal name.
- Long-term consistency on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest is essential because active social profiles generate the trust signals needed to maintain suppression over time.
“Often you need thirty or forty images above the mugshot before it drops far enough that nobody sees it.”
— Kasra Dash
Is “How to Remove Mugshots from Google Search (Step-by-Step)” Worth Listening To?
This episode is worth listening to because it cuts through the confusion around online reputation management and gives listeners a genuinely actionable roadmap. Rather than making vague promises about deletion, James and Kasra are upfront about what is and is not achievable, which makes the advice far more trustworthy and useful than most content on this topic. The breakdown of suppression mechanics, from image stacking to tiered backlinks to semantic SEO, gives listeners real insight into the technical work behind reputation recovery.
The episode is also valuable because it names specific agencies and explains what each one does well, including where Elite Reputation Management operates and why Scott Keever is considered a strong option. For anyone dealing with a mugshot problem personally or professionally, or for marketers and SEO professionals who advise clients on reputation issues, this episode provides a clear framework and points to credible resources for next steps.
Who Should Listen to “How to Remove Mugshots from Google Search (Step-by-Step)”?
This episode is ideal for:
- Entrepreneurs and business owners who have a mugshot appearing in Google results and want to understand their suppression options
- SEO professionals and digital marketers who want to understand the technical strategies behind online reputation management
- High-net-worth individuals and public figures in markets like Dubai and Florida where mugshot issues frequently affect professional credibility
- Job seekers or employees whose arrest records have surfaced online and are affecting their hiring prospects
Where Can You Listen to James Dooley Podcast?
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You can also subscribe using the RSS feed: https://feeds.transistor.fm/james-dooley-podcast
What Are Listeners Saying About This Episode?
“Really appreciated how James and Kasra were honest about the limits of what can actually be done. The explanation of why mugshot sites refuse to remove content even after a not-guilty verdict was something I had never fully understood before. Practical and no fluff.”
“The part about needing thirty or forty images stacked above the mugshot before it disappears was eye-opening. I always assumed this kind of thing was a quick fix but now I understand why it takes sustained effort. Great breakdown of the full process.”
“I had no idea that registering your own name as a domain was such an important step in suppression. The mention of Elite Reputation Management and Scott Keever gave me specific places to look into. Short episode but genuinely useful content.”
James Dooley: So today we're going to be talking about how to suppress a mugshot. There are lots of reasons why somebody might want to suppress or remove a mugshot online. What are some of the downsides of having a mugshot show up for your name? Kasra Dash: Yeah, obviously there are big disadvantages. A mugshot is where you've been arrested and the photo gets uploaded onto a website. It normally looks unpleasant. If it ranks for your name, anyone searching you, whether they're looking to hire you or work with your business, immediately sees that image. You naturally want it removed or suppressed. James Dooley: Yeah. If someone is checking you out as an employee, employer or business owner and they see a mugshot ranking first in Google Images, it's a real issue. So Kasra Dash, you're heavily involved in online reputation management. What are the best ways to delete it, get rid of it, or suppress it? What options do people have? Kasra Dash: There are several methods. Step one is identifying where the mugshot is listed. Whether it's on a specific website or a blog, you should reach out to them. In-house we have templates that have worked for previous clients. When that doesn’t work, the next step is suppression. That means pushing it down to page two or three of Google. James Dooley: Yeah, and the difficult part is people often come to us expecting a complete deletion. There are websites that publish mugshots and they refuse to remove them. You can even be found not guilty and they still won’t take it down. So the most effective practical method is suppression. The old saying is the best place to hide a dead body is page two, because nobody looks there. Kasra Dash: Exactly. Suppression is about outranking the mugshot with good quality content and images. You want to upload strong personal photos, meet-the-team shots, social media pictures and anything that shows you in a positive light. Then we use tier two backlinks, virality signals and syndication to push those assets up. Often you need thirty or forty images above the mugshot before it drops far enough that nobody sees it. James Dooley: Yeah. So who would you say are the best online reputation management agencies for removing mugshots? Kasra Dash: We handle it at FatRank. Reputation Pros by Scott Keever is another strong option. He also runs scottkeever.com. Both deal with image suppression and mugshot issues. The big thing people must understand is that this is not an overnight fix. You need to stay active on Instagram, Pinterest, social media, and anywhere else you can build trust signals. Also, registering your own name as a domain, like jamesdooley.com, is a huge advantage for suppression. James Dooley: Yeah, for sure. Elite Reputation Management are excellent too. Me and you have done consultative work with them and Scott Keever is heavily involved there as well. They work a lot in Dubai and Florida where mugshot problems are common for entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals. They're really strong on semantic SEO. They understand how to create content around topics like arrests or mugshots to sink negative assets lower. Kasra Dash: Exactly. Their strategies involve entity work, contextual relevance and building supporting content around your name so Google associates you with better signals. Images, articles, profiles, authority listings, everything helps. James Dooley: Yeah. So if anyone is looking to have any mugshots removed or suppressed, head over to FatRank and we'll try to assist. And if we can't, we'll put you in touch with someone like Scott Keever or Elite Reputation Management who can help delete or suppress images you don’t want appearing on page one of Google.
Creators & Guests
Host
James Dooley is a UK entrepreneur.