Frequently Asked Questions

Expungement is a court process that legally clears your record — that part goes through the courts, and an attorney can advise whether it applies to your case. The other half is what CleanSlate does: an expunged or dropped case often still shows up online, because websites are not required to take pages down. We publish accurate, positive content that outranks the old coverage, closing the gap between your legal record and what search results show.

The court process for expunging a felony, misdemeanor, or DUI is a legal proceeding — public records still show the arrest unless legally sealed, and an attorney can advise on the steps for your situation. Separately, the online record of the arrest (booking photos, arrest articles) stays on the web even after a case resolves. CleanSlate's suppression approach pushes accurate positive content above those results so they stop ranking where people actually look.

The court process itself has its own requirements — an attorney can advise whether expungement applies to your case and what it involves. What we can tell you for free: our public reputation scan is completely free, takes about five minutes, and shows exactly what employers and searches still see. Paid plans apply only if you want us to work on your online record.

Expungement legally clears an official criminal record — but it doesn't remove online coverage. Websites that posted about the incident are not required to take their content down, which leaves a gap between legal reality and search results. That gap is exactly what CleanSlate works on: accurate, positive content that eventually outranks the old coverage.

We're upfront: CleanSlate doesn't claim to delete articles from publishers or Google. What works is suppression — publishing accurate, positive, current content about you that outranks the old article so it stops appearing where people actually look. If the article is false or unlawful, corrections through legal action are a separate path, and an attorney can advise.

In limited cases platforms remove content that violates their terms — but an ordinary accurate article usually stays up. That's why our approach is suppression rather than removal: newer, relevant, positive content that competes for the top spots and moves the old article down over time.

Google removes only specific types of content — copyrighted material, certain sensitive personal data, and results removed by court order. Ordinary negative articles don't qualify, and Google doesn't accept payment for removal. The effective path is suppression: accurate positive content that outranks the negative pieces. Our monthly position reports show the movement.

No one can pay Google to delete results. Removal happens only under Google's narrow criteria — copyright violations, certain sensitive personal information, or a court order. For everything else, suppression is the method that works: accurate, positive content that ranks above the old results over time.

Suppression means publishing accurate, positive information about yourself that outranks old negative results. It's entirely legal everywhere — we never alter public records and never claim to delete anything. The negative page may still exist, but it stops ranking where people actually look: page one.

Paying a mugshot site directly often doesn't solve the problem — syndicated copies can reappear elsewhere, and prices vary by site. CleanSlate takes an automated suppression approach, which keeps costs more manageable than full-service agencies. Start with the free scan to see your baseline before committing to any paid plan.

No — removing a mugshot from search results isn't a court proceeding; it's an online-visibility problem, and no attorney is required for the online part. That said, many clients come to us through their defense attorney after a case resolves, and if removal or expungement steps are still pending with the courts, we coordinate so the content strategy reflects the accurate, current record.

Background checks pull from official records, which no service can delete. What CleanSlate does is manage the online part: employers can find booking photos during background checks if they use online searches, so we publish accurate positive content that outranks those results. We don't offer removal of records or personal details in public databases.

CleanSlate doesn't claim to remove anything from Google or other sites. Instead, we add accurate, positive content that improves your online presence over time, reducing the prominence of arrest coverage in search results. If the record itself can be expunged or sealed, that's a court process — an attorney can advise.

No. Enter your name and get the report. Creating an account is only needed if you start a paid plan.

The scan is designed for people checking their own name. Scanning others for employment or tenant decisions may require authorization under the law — our terms cover acceptable use.

Then you get the rare good news in writing — and you know your baseline. Fresh Start monitoring keeps it that way.

Yes, the initial public reputation scan is completely free. It requires no account creation and provides you with immediate access to a detailed report about your online presence.

No, our scanning process does not notify any third parties of your activity. The information gathered comes from publicly available sources on the web without triggering alerts for individuals or organizations.

Scanning periodically can help you stay informed about changes in your online reputation over time. We recommend scanning at least once a year, especially if there have been significant life events or career changes that could affect how others perceive you online.

No one controls what an AI assistant says. However, changing the underlying sources it cites can alter its response over time. By building accurate positive content that ranks well for your name query, you can influence the information presented by these assistants.

AI assistants crawl the same public web that search engines like Google do, so the pages ranking highly for your name are likely to be the ones quoted. If a piece of content ranks well in search results, it's more probable an assistant will cite it when answering queries about you.

To verify how AI assistants describe you, directly ask them and note the information they provide. Check which sources are cited for this information. The free scan available on our site reveals the current web results powering these assistant answers today.

Expunging an arrest legally clears the official records but doesn't remove online coverage. Websites that posted about the incident are not required to take down their content, leaving a gap between legal reality and search results. CleanSlate helps by publishing positive, accurate information to eventually outrank old coverage.

CleanSlate doesn't claim to remove anything from Google or other sites. Instead, we focus on adding accurate, positive content that improves your online presence over time, reducing the prominence of negative coverage in search results.

Paying one mugshot website often doesn't solve the problem because syndicated copies can reappear elsewhere. CleanSlate's suppression approach works by publishing positive content that outranks arrest-related information across multiple sites.

Our content is factual and professional, avoiding any guarantees or superlatives. It complies with the same standards used in bar-compliant marketing materials for legal services.

We don't claim to delete reviews from platforms like Avvo or Yelp; our approach is based on adding accurate, positive content that outranks the negative information over time. This way, potential clients see more recent and relevant information.

The content we publish is genuine and reflects your actual practice details. It reads as a normal professional presence online, without any artificial elements that might raise suspicion among clients or colleagues.

Yes, the positive pages we create not only compete for your name and individual reputation but also for practice-area queries, boosting your overall search engine visibility and driving more traffic to your site.

In our experience, yes — most major platforms remove personal-information posts when properly reported, because the content violates their terms. Our process gives each platform exactly what its reporting flow requires.

No. We never contact harassers on your behalf. Our work is platform reporting, broker opt-outs, and rebuilding your search results with accurate, positive content.

The scan searches the open web for your name and identifying details and checks federal court dockets. You get a plain-English report of every exposure we find — free, in about five minutes.

We don't offer removal services for addresses or other personal details listed in public records. However, we can help push accurate professional content above this information to improve how your search results appear.

If you believe you are a victim of doxxing, consider contacting local law enforcement for advice specific to your situation.

No, we don't require access to your accounts. We focus on generating and promoting positive content that ranks well in search results without needing any personal login information from you.

No — we never claim to delete anything from Google or publishers. Suppression builds accurate positive content that outranks the old coverage, making it less likely for negative articles to appear at the top of search results.

Crisis PR responds to the news cycle; CleanSlate builds the durable positive layer underneath it. The two work together by ensuring that long-term professional content remains prominent, even during periods when negative press might dominate.

The work is quiet by design — accurate professional content, published at a natural pace without drawing attention to the process. Your existing network and clients will see updates in line with your ongoing activities.

That is the ideal starting point: a thin presence means positive content has less to compete with, making it easier for new material to rank highly on search engines. We focus on creating a natural professional profile that gradually builds over time.

Google removes only specific types of harmful content under strict criteria. For most other cases, suppression is the effective method — by creating accurate and positive professional content that ranks higher in search results over time.

This tool works effectively when the original page no longer exists or has changed significantly. However, it does not remove live negative pages from their source sites — those need to be addressed directly with the publisher or through legal means.

Google provides forms for legal requests based on court orders and specific types of personal data. If your situation fits these narrow criteria, you can file a legal removal request. An attorney can advise if the legal process applies to your case.

We are upfront about this: suppression is not deletion. The page may still exist, but our goal is that it stops ranking where people actually look — the first page. Most people search page one and stop. Your monthly position report shows the movement.

The scan searches the open web for your name, checks federal court dockets through CourtListener, and surfaces red flags with plain-English explanations. No account or payment is required.

Yes. Many clients come to us through their defense attorney after a case resolves. If removal or expungement steps are still pending with the courts, we coordinate so the content strategy reflects the accurate, current record.

Booking photos often remain on mugshot sites indefinitely, even if charges are dropped. It's challenging to remove them completely, but they can be outranked over time.

If your case was dropped or expunged, public records will still show the arrest unless legally sealed. Legal guidance from an attorney is recommended for such cases.

Employers can find booking photos during background checks if they use online searches. It's important to manage your online presence to prevent these results from impacting job opportunities.

No — we never claim to delete anything from publishers or Google. The strategy is to publish accurate positive content that outranks the negative piece over time. Legal action for corrections is a separate path and should be discussed with an attorney.

It takes several months — positive content needs time to gain authority and rank higher than older, negative articles. Monthly position reports help track the progress over this period.

Even with an accurate negative piece, suppression still works: by creating newer, relevant, positive content that reflects your current professional identity and achievements, you can outrank older coverage over time. This strategy builds a more up-to-date online presence.

The article itself may remain indexed. Our goal is that it stops ranking where people actually look. Most decision-makers read page one and stop — your monthly position report shows the negative coverage moving down and the positive content moving up.

The scan searches the open web for your name, checks federal court dockets, and flags anything that could hurt you — with plain-English explanations. No account or payment required.

Yes — we routinely work with owners preparing for a sale, a raise, or a senior hire. Starting six to twelve weeks ahead gives the positive content time to rank before the other side does their search.

We don't remove articles but work on publishing positive content to outrank them over time. For any other actions, speaking with an attorney might be necessary.

There's no set timeline; results depend on how quickly we can build a strong online presence with new, relevant information that competes for top rankings against older coverage.

Yes, our service helps business owners manage their online reputation by creating professional profiles and positive content to compete with any negative coverage found in search results.

No, creating and maintaining your positive web presence does not require active use of personal social media accounts. We focus on building a professional layer with accurate information from reliable sources like LinkedIn or industry publications.

When you perform the free scan, we use your full name and location to get specific search results that match what potential employers, clients, or partners might see. This targeted approach ensures that any suppression efforts address exactly those searches.

No, CleanSlate is designed primarily for professionals whose names are likely to be searched before a job offer, business deal, or other significant opportunities. Whether you're an executive, entrepreneur, or freelancer, having control over your online narrative can significantly impact how others perceive and approach you.

No — we never claim to delete anything from Google or review sites. Our approach is to publish accurate positive content that outranks the negative results for the physician's name query, gradually improving your online reputation over time.

Content is accurate and professional — the same kind of presence any physician builds legitimately. We make no medical claims and alter no records; our work aligns with ethical guidelines for maintaining an accurate public profile.

We do not hide or delete anything. Our strategy is to publish accurate positive content that reflects your real current practice so outdated coverage stops being the first thing patients see, ensuring they get an up-to-date view of your medical expertise.

Honest expectation: positive content gains traction over months. The process involves consistent publication and monitoring to gradually shift search rankings in a favorable direction; the monthly position report provides ongoing insights into this progress without making specific promises.

No — we work for the professional whose name is being searched. Our reports are for you and the people you authorize to see them.

Yes — the best time to start is before the application, because credentialing committees search. We have worked with clients preparing for licensing applications, hospital privileges, and senior hires.

A search of the open web for your name, a federal court docket check, and a plain-English report of every red flag found. No account or payment required.

It won't appear fake as long as the content is genuine and reflects your real experiences. Our service helps you present a professional image that aligns with how people in your field expect professionals to behave online.

A common name can make it harder for positive information to rise above the noise, but our service helps you create content that accurately represents who you are and what you do. This is particularly useful when there's lots of unrelated content out there.

Public relations typically involves managing media coverage and communications with the public. Our service focuses on enhancing your online presence through professional profiles and positive content, rather than traditional PR activities like press releases or media engagement.

No, we don't claim to delete anything from review platforms. Our approach is about suppression rather than removal; we publish accurate positive content that gradually outranks the negative information over time.

Our service adheres strictly to professional standards — the content published is factual and consistent with how any agent would normally market themselves. We follow the same guidelines as traditional real estate marketing efforts, ensuring compliance.

No, everything we publish is accurate and relevant to your actual listings and areas of expertise. This ensures that the content reads naturally and builds trust with potential clients, rather than appearing forced or inauthentic.

No — Google does not accept payment for removing search results. Removal can only occur through legal processes like copyright violations or the protection of sensitive personal information such as bank account numbers and medical records.

Google removes specific types of content, including copyrighted material, certain personal data (like financial details), and results removed by a court order. Ordinary negative articles or reviews typically do not qualify under these criteria.

Yes — publishing accurate positive information about yourself is entirely legal everywhere. We never alter public records; instead, we focus on creating new content that outranks negative search results over time.

Prices can vary widely, starting from a few dollars for basic monitoring services and going up to thousands of dollars for full-service agencies that offer extensive manual labor. CleanSlate takes an automated approach, which allows us to keep costs more manageable. You can start with our free scan to understand your online reputation status before committing to any paid plans.

Yes, we offer a completely free public scan that takes about five minutes and provides you with an honest assessment of your current online presence. It’s an excellent first step in understanding the scope of work needed before any paid service is necessary.

High prices often reflect manual labor costs, as well as extensive account management services. Agencies typically charge for each individual task performed by their staff, such as content creation and profile building. However, the repetitive nature of these tasks makes them ideal candidates for automation, which is why CleanSlate can offer more affordable options.

While you could potentially manage your online reputation yourself over time through consistent effort and content creation, a professional service like CleanSlate provides immediate results and ongoing support. Our free scan is the best place to start, helping you gauge whether full-service management would be beneficial for your specific situation.

Yes, creating and publishing accurate positive content to improve your online reputation is entirely legal. We do not engage in any illegal activities such as altering public records or harming others' reputations.

Improvements take time; it typically takes several months for positive content to outrank negative results effectively. Our monthly reports show ongoing progress, giving you a clear picture of how your reputation is evolving over time.

Our monitoring plans send alerts when new negative content emerges online. With continued positive layering and regular updates to your professional presence, we ensure that any new negatives do not overshadow previous gains.