Why Mugshot Websites Rank High—And How to Push Them Down Permanently

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Mugshot Websites and Google: The Unwanted Alliance

When someone types your name into Google, the last thing you want them to see is your past plastered across multiple mugshot websites. Yet for millions of Americans, this is reality.

Despite legal reforms and growing privacy concerns, mugshot sites maintain prominent positions in search engine results. Understanding why mugshot websites rank high is the first step in pushing them out of sight.

Why Mugshot Websites Rank So High

1. Authority & Backlinks

Mugshot sites often have high domain authority due to:

• Thousands of backlinks from law enforcement and court systems
• Internal linking between mugshot entries
• Syndicated content across affiliate networks

2. SEO-Focused Page Structure

These sites:

• Use structured schema for criminal records
• Optimize titles, meta tags, and headings
• Create one page per person, city, and booking

3. Frequent Content Updates

Every day, new arrests feed fresh content to mugshot databases. This high update frequency signals activity to Google, helping them maintain top rankings.

4. High User Engagement

Unfortunately, people click on mugshots—curiosity, gossip, or public interest drives traffic, increasing click-through rates and time on site.

5. Low Competition on Name Keywords

Unless you’re a public figure, there’s often little optimized content under your name. Mugshot sites fill that void.

6. Syndication and Domain Replication

Many mugshot networks run multiple websites with slightly different branding but identical databases. This replicates the content across several high-ranking domains, dominating search results with multiple listings.

7. Exploiting Google’s Algorithm Gaps

These sites often game Google’s algorithm by using aggressive technical SEO tactics, including:

• Fast-loading AMP versions
• Mobile-first indexing
• Auto-tagging mugshots with local search terms
• Bot-assisted page refresh cycles to keep content prioritized

The Legal Landscape: Can They Be Taken Down?

While mugshots are considered public records, laws vary across states. Some states have cracked down on mugshot exploitation.

States With Mugshot Removal Laws

• California: Prohibits commercial use of mugshots unless there’s a conviction
• Georgia: Requires removal upon request if charges were dropped
• Texas: Bans charging for removal services
• Utah: Mandates removal within 30 days upon request
• New York: Prevents certain mugshots from being released under FOIL

Use the NCSL’s record clearing statutes to understand your rights.

If your arrest was expunged or sealed, you may have legal grounds for removal.

SEO Suppression: The Most Effective Long-Term Strategy

If you can’t legally force removal, you can push mugshot results off page 1. Here’s how:

Step 1: Audit Your Search Results

Search your name in quotes:

"First Last" mugshot OR arrest

Document where mugshot links appear (top 3 pages) and take screenshots for tracking progress.

Use Google Alerts to monitor future appearances.

Step 2: Create and Optimize High-Authority Content

To outrank mugshot pages, you need:

Trusted Platforms:

• LinkedIn
• Medium
• Crunchbase
• YouTube
• Google Business Profile
• Substack
• About.me

Use SEO Best Practices:

- Keyword: Use your full name naturally
- Title tags: "[Full Name] - Professional Profile"
- Meta descriptions: Positive and unique
- Image ALT tags: Include your name
- H1 tags: Include your full name + topic keyword

Step 3: Leverage Long-Form Content

Write blog posts and articles on:

• Your career or business
• Volunteer work
• Personal accomplishments
• Case updates (if legally advisable)

Include multimedia to enhance user engagement: video interviews, testimonials, embedded PDFs, etc.

Step 4: Use Backlinking to Strengthen Positive Pages

Link to your positive content from:

• Guest blog posts
• Community forums
• Press release syndications
• Local media mentions

Backlink diversity and relevancy matter more than volume alone.

Step 5: Build a Personal Website

A domain like yourfullname.com acts as a branding hub and ranks well with consistent updates. Include an “About Me,” blog, resume, portfolio, and press section.

Advanced Techniques to Suppress Mugshots

Structured Data Markup (Schema)

Use schema.org tags on your personal website to highlight:

• Full name
• Occupation
• Educational background
• Social profiles

This structured data helps Google understand and validate you as a reputable entity.

Anchor Text Control

Internally link to your best-performing content using your full name as anchor text. This signals authority for those pages over the mugshot URLs.

Consistent Publishing Cadence

Search engines prefer active domains. Schedule:

• Weekly blog posts
• Monthly press releases
• Quarterly case studies or whitepapers (if relevant)

Media Coverage and Citations

Get mentioned in local or niche press outlets. Use services like HARO (Help A Reporter Out) or contact local journalists for profile stories.

What Not to Do When Trying to Remove Mugshots

• Don’t pay shady sites for removal: In many states, it’s illegal for them to charge you.
• Don’t post fake reviews or info: Google penalizes this behavior.
• Don’t ignore it: Mugshot links gain power over time if left unchallenged.
• Don’t use black-hat SEO tactics: These can tank your long-term reputation.

Legal Routes to Permanent Mugshot Removal

Cease and Desist Letters

If a mugshot is inaccurate or violates specific privacy laws, an attorney can send a formal request demanding takedown.

Expungement and Sealing

Once your record is sealed or expunged, you can:

1. File a removal request with the mugshot site
2. Submit the court order to Google
3. Demand takedown from people-search sites

DMCA and Copyright Claims

If the mugshot contains copyrighted content or was misused, a DMCA takedown may apply.

Contact State Attorney General

In states like Georgia or California, AG offices assist with unlawful mugshot publication complaints.

The Role of People Search Websites

Sites like Whitepages, Spokeo, and BeenVerified often index mugshot data. You must remove your data from them as well.

Key Opt-Out Resources:

• Spokeo Opt-Out
• Whitepages Suppression
• BeenVerified Removal

Be ready to:

• Submit ID verification
• Repeat opt-outs if data reappears
• Set Google Alerts to monitor reindexing

FAQs: Mugshot Removal Demystified

MLA Citations:

“Online Defamation and Arrest Record Removal.” American Bar Association, www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/criminal-justice/criminal-record-clearing/.

“Expungement and Sealing of Criminal Records Statutes.” National Conference of State Legislatures, www.ncsl.org/research/civil-and-criminal-justice/expungement-and-sealing-of-criminal-records-statutes.aspx.

“Remove Information from Google.” Google Support, support.google.com/websearch/troubleshooter/3111061.

“Mugshots and the Right to Be Forgotten.” Electronic Frontier Foundation, www.eff.org/issues/mugshots.