Can Bing or Yahoo Still Display Mugshots After Google Removes Them?

April 14, 2025

If your mugshot has been removed from Google but still shows up on Bing or Yahoo, you’re not alone. The presence of mugshots online raises concerns about privacy, legal rights, and the long-term effects on a person’s reputation. While Google has taken action to limit access to these images, many people wonder how other platforms handle this sensitive information.

Mugshots Online: What’s the Issue?

Mugshots are often published soon after an arrest, including details like the last name, location, incident date, and sometimes the charges. These images are typically pulled from public case records and shared on third-party websites that profit from accessibility to this data.

Even though this content is public in many states, its visibility on search engines poses a serious reputational risk—especially when someone tries to find your name and sees these images at the top of the results.

These sites often use basic search forms, asking users to enter a last name, city, or birth date to view the mugshot. This can be damaging long after the case is dismissed or expunged.

How Did Google Respond?

In 2013, Google took a major step to address growing criticism around mugshot visibility. It adjusted its algorithm and content policies to prevent mugshot websites from dominating search results. This decision acknowledged the harm these images could cause, particularly to people who had never been convicted or had their records sealed.

As a result, many mugshots became less prominent on Google, giving individuals a better chance at moving on from past mistakes. However, Google’s changes didn’t extend to all corners of the internet—and that’s where Bing and Yahoo come in.

Why Mugshots Still Matter After Google Removal

Many assume that once Google removes a mugshot, it disappears everywhere. But that’s far from the case. Other search engines like Bing and Yahoo still index older images, cached content, and site data in different ways. These platforms may continue displaying mugshots because they haven’t implemented the same suppression policies or rely on different data sources.

Even if a website removes your mugshot, older versions may still appear in image search results or mobile searches. Some search engines pull from cached pages or display outdated site versions for weeks or months.

What About Bing and Yahoo?

Both Bing and Yahoo have content moderation policies, but they differ from Google in how aggressively they apply them. Many users report that mugshots removed from Google are still visible when searched on Bing or Yahoo.

These platforms maintain different access standards and may prioritize content based on user engagement, local laws, or internal guidelines. Sometimes, a mugshot may appear due to a simple query or an outdated site still being indexed.

The inconsistency between search engines makes it hard for individuals to maintain a clean online connection—even when their record has been cleared or their case resolved.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

The debate over mugshots online involves a deeper question: how should public information be used, and who profits from it?

Some argue that public records serve a community purpose, helping people stay informed. Others believe that websites hosting mugshots without proper context—or demanding payment for removal—exploit individuals trying to rebuild their lives.

Laws vary by state, and many lack strong consumer protections regarding removing arrest records from the Internet. The burden often falls on the individual, who must navigate outdated or unclear legal frameworks.

There’s also growing concern over the accuracy of these listings. Many include incorrect birth dates, wrong locations, or charges that were dropped. The consequences of this misinformation can be severe—affecting employment, housing, relationships, and more.

What You Can Do if Your Mugshot Is Still Online

If you’ve had a mugshot removed from Google but it’s still visible on Bing or Yahoo, here are several steps you can take to regain control:

Contact the Website Directly

Find the site where your mugshot appears. Many of these websites have a form or contact page where you can request removal. Include documentation—such as court updates, dismissals, or expungements—and be specific about the case details.

Some sites respond quickly when the request is clear and legally supported. Others may ignore it, so you’ll need to explore alternative steps.

Check for Expungement or Legal Relief

If the case was dismissed, or if you were never convicted, you might qualify for expungement in your state. Once your record is sealed, you can use that status to request removal from mugshot websites formally.

Note: not all states allow complete expungement, and the process can take time. But it’s a powerful tool for reclaiming your online presence.

Use Reputation Management Services

Companies like EraseMugshots specialize in helping individuals remove negative content from the internet. These services have relationships with publishers and use proven methods to suppress or eliminate unwanted results across all major search engines, including Bing and Yahoo.

Monitor Your Search Results

Set up alerts for your name using tools like Google Alerts or reputation monitoring platforms. Regularly read and check your search results across multiple search engines. This helps you spot new images, cached versions, or reposted content before it spreads.

Why Ongoing Monitoring Matters

Even if your mugshot is successfully removed, that doesn’t mean it won’t reappear. Sites sometimes republish old content, new domains pop up, or previously removed images may return due to technical issues.

By staying proactive, you’ll be better prepared to act quickly—protecting your reputation before new audiences view your past.

Final Thoughts

The presence of mugshots online goes beyond a simple arrest photo—it’s about how your identity is shaped by what people can find with a quick search. While Google has made meaningful changes, Bing and Yahoo still present challenges that require action.

Whether you’re facing inaccuracies, outdated records, or the lingering effects of a past mistake, you deserve the chance to move forward. And that starts with understanding your rights and using the right tools to reclaim your name.

If your mugshot still appears on Bing or Yahoo—even after removal from Google—we’re here to help. At EraseMugshots, we’ve assisted thousands of people in restoring their online reputation across all major search engines. Take the next step toward a cleaner search presence and peace of mind.

Free Mugshot Removal Analysis