How to Handle Public Mugshots Online

Mugshot publications are online databases that contain booking photographs and information for individuals who have been arrested. Many of these publications are operated by private companies, and some charge a fee for mugshot removal.

Mugshots can be damaging to one's reputation and may make it difficult to find employment or housing. In some cases, innocent people may have their mugshots published simply because they were arrested, regardless of whether or not they were convicted of a crime.

Most states have laws that allow for the expungement of criminal records, which would include mugshots. However, the process is often lengthy and complicated, and many people are unaware that it exists. Additionally, even if a mugshot is removed from an online database, it may still be accessible through other sources, such as law enforcement agencies or court records.

The best way to avoid having your mugshot published is to avoid getting arrested in the first place. If you are arrested, you should consult with an attorney to see if you may be eligible for record expungement.

The mugshot website removal debate

The debate surrounding mugshot websites is one that has been going on for years. Some believe that these sites should be able to remain online, as they provide a public service. Others believe that the sites should be shut down, as they can cause undue hardship for those who are featured on them.

There are many arguments for both sides of the debate. Those who believe that mugshot websites should be allowed to remain online argue that the sites serve a public interest. They provide a way for people to find out information about others that they otherwise would not have access to. Additionally, the sites can be used as a tool for law enforcement and the media to track down criminals.

Those who believe that mugshot websites should be shut down argue that the sites are often used to exploit and humiliate those who are featured on them. The sites can ruin reputations and make it difficult for people to find employment or housing. Additionally, the sites often do not remove mugshots even after the charges against an individual have been dropped or they have been cleared of wrongdoing. This can lead to innocent people being unfairly stigmatized.

Google's Mugshot Deranking Algorithm

In 2013, Google launched an algorithm update designed to reduce the visibility of mugshot websites in its search results. This was done in response to concerns that these sites were taking advantage of people who had been arrested and were trying to rebuild their lives. The algorithm change meant that when someone searched for a person's name plus the word "mugshot," the resulting page would no longer prominently feature links to mugshot websites. Instead, it would show links to more reputable sources of information, such as news articles about the arrest.

The impact of this change was immediately evident. A study by Harvard researchers found that, after the algorithm update, searches for a person's name plus "mugshot" resulted in 66% fewer clicks on mugshot websites compared to before the update. This had a significant impact on the business model of these sites, which relied on people clicking on their ads in order to generate revenue. Many mugshot websites eventually shut down as a result of Google's algorithm change.

Google's mugshot deranking algorithm has had a positive impact on society by making it harder for people who have been arrested to be victimized by unscrupulous businesses. It is one example of how algorithms can be used to help protect vulnerable populations from exploitation.

Mugshot Removal Services vs Free DIY Solutions

When it comes to removing your mugshot from the internet, you have two main options: (1) paid removal services or (2) free do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions. Here's a quick overview of each option:

(1) Paid Mugshot Removal Services:

There are companies that will charge you a fee to remove your mugshot from their website and/or from search engines. Typically, these companies use automated systems to scrape data from public sources like criminal databases, then post the information on their own websites. Some companies also purchase mugshots from other websites.

The benefits of using a paid service include:

1. You don't have to do any work yourself. Just pay the fee and the company will take care of everything for you.
2. Paid services typically guarantee results. If your mugshot is not removed within a certain timeframe, you'll usually get a refund.
3. These companies often have relationships with major search engines and can get your mugshot removed quickly and easily.

The downside of using a paid service is that it can be costly – anywhere from $100 to $500 or more, depending on the company and how many websites your mugshot is posted on. Additionally, there's always the risk that a new website could pop up after you've paid for removal and repost your mugshot, which would mean starting the whole process over again (and shelling out more money).

(2) Free DIY Mugshot Removal Solutions

If you're looking for a free solution to remove your mugshot from the internet, there are a few options available to you.

The first option is to try and contact the website owner directly and ask them to remove the photo. This isn't always successful, but it's worth a try.

Another option is to use Google's "Remove Outdated Content" tool. This tool allows you to submit a request to have certain content removed from Google's search results. Again, this isn't always successful, but it's worth a shot.

You can also try using some of the many Mugshot Removal Services available online. These services typically charge a fee, but they will often be able to get your mugshot removed from multiple websites quickly and easily.

Should you even bother to remove your mugshot from the internet?

Mugshots can be a sensitive subject. Some people are ashamed of their mugshot and want it removed from the internet as soon as possible. Others believe that their mugshot is a part of their public record and they have a right to keep it accessible. So, which is right for you?

There are a few things to consider when making your decision. First, think about how you feel about your mugshot. Are you ashamed or embarrassed by it? If so, you may want to consider having it removed. However, if you believe that your mugshot is part of your public record and you have a right to keep it accessible, then you may want to leave it up.

Second, consider your future plans. Are you planning on applying for a job or going to school in the near future? If so, you may want to remove your mugshot so potential employers or schools don't see it and judge you based on your past. On the other hand, if you're not planning on applying for anything soon, then keeping your mugshot up may not be a big deal.

Third, think about how much effort it would take to remove your mugshot from the internet. If it's something that can be easily taken down, then removal may be the best option for you. However, if removal would be difficult or time-consuming, then you may want to leave the mugshot up and just move on with your life the best you can.

Paying to for Removal or Free Removal: Which is right for you?

When your mugshot is online, it can be seen by anyone. And that can be a big problem if you're trying to get a job, rent an apartment, or even get a date. So you need to get it removed. But should you pay for removal or try to do it for free?

There are pros and cons to both paying for removal and trying to do it for free. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each:

Paying For Mugshot Removal:

Pros:

• You will definitely have your mugshot removed
• It will usually be removed within 24-48 hours
• You don't have to do any work yourself

Cons:

• It can be expensive (usually around $400 per record)
• If you don't use a reputable company, there's a risk they won't remove the mugshot or will only remove it temporarily

Free Mugshot Removal:

Pros:

• It's free! 🙂
• Keeps your situation completely private from others.

Cons:

• It can take a lot of time and effort on your part (you have to contact the website/newspaper directly and ask them to take down the Mugshot)
• There's no guarantee that they will actually remove it

Preventing republication of mugshots online

When you have your mugshot removed from a website, it is important to take measures to prevent the republication of your photo.

Here are some tips to help insure the arrest report and mugshot images you get taken down stay down - i.e. the mugshots/arrests you've removed are not picked and published by new mugshot websites or existing sites covering arrests in new geographic locations or news stories.

Contact the website directly and request that your photo be removed. Most websites will comply with this request.

If you find your photo on another website, contact that site and request removal of the mugshot and arrest. Again, most sites will comply with this request.

We specialize in removing mugshots from the internet. They can help you remove mugshot photos from multiple websites quickly and efficiently.

Remember that once your mugshot photo is out there, it can be difficult to completely eliminate it from the internet. However, taking these steps will help reduce its visibility and prevent it from being used against you in the future.