• Basic Content Removal Policy
• Removing or Editing Content on a WiscWeb Site
• Content Removal from Campus Directory/White Pages
• Content Removal from Search Results
  • Content Removal from the Campus Search
  • Content Removal from a Campus Lookahead Search
  • Content Removal from Major Search Engines

The emergency removal of website content from a WiscWeb site can be requested in cases where an individual is being stalked, bullied, or otherwise harassed and fears for their safety and/or security.

If the user fears for their physical safety, they should call 911 or 608-264-COPS (2677). 

Basic Policy

When possible, the WiscWeb team will work with you (and other relevant parties) to ensure that content built within our service offering is removed in a timely manner. The request must meet the specifications listed above.

WiscWeb's ability to assist with the request is dependent on a number of factors. If the site is not a project in WiscWeb, we cannot assist in the editing or removal of the content. (However, we should be able to help troubleshoot who hosts the site and redirect you to the appropriate team or contact). Additionally, WiscWeb cannot remove content displayed in search results in the campus search, campus directory, or common search engines like Google and Bing.

Note that immediate assistance with the request is subject to team member availability. Expect delays for requests occurring outside of normal business hours (M-F, 8am - 4pm).

Content Removal from a WiscWeb Site

If this is a WiscWeb site, our staff should be able to assist with augmenting and/or removing content from the live view of the site.

Removing or Editing Content on a WiscWeb Site

In instances where only a portion of the WiscWeb site needs to be changed, please follow these steps:

1. Send an email to help@doit.wisc.edu 
2. In the subject line, please reference "[EMERGENCY]:" and the site URL
   Example: [EMERGENCY]: bucky.wisc.edu
3. In the body of the email, please describe:
   1. The issue you are experiencing
      "An issue has arisen with..."
   2. Why this is considered an emergency
      "We need to remove this information from the website immediately because..."
   3. What is required for action
      "We ask that you please remove X content..."

Once this content has been removed, it is your responsibility to follow up with the primary contact for the site to make them aware of the change. The contact information for the primary contact is located in the footer of UW Theme sites. Look for the text that says: “Feedback, questions or accessibility issues…”

Decommissioning a WiscWeb Site

In the event that a WiscWeb site should no longer be public/active, the primary contact for the site should follow these steps:

1. Send an email to help@doit.wisc.edu 
2. In the subject line, please reference "[EMERGENCY]:" and the site URL
   Example: [EMERGENCY]: bucky.wisc.edu
3. In the body of the email, please describe:
   1. The issue you are experiencing
      "An issue has arisen with..."
   2. Why this is considered an emergency
      "We need to remove this website immediately because..."
   3. What is required for action
      "We ask that you please remove the site..."

Content Removal from Campus Directory/White Pages

For the purposes of this doc, the campus directory is the one listed on the main wisc.edu site, when a user clicks on the search icon and prompts a query for a person. This searches the campus White Pages for contact information on a faculty/staff member or student. 

If you wish to remove contact information from the campus directory, please review DoIT’s documentation regarding emergency removals from the white pages directory.

Content Removal from Campus Search

For the purposes of this doc, the campus search is the one listed on the main wisc.edu site, when a user clicks on the search icon and prompts a query for a website or web page. This searches all (or most) sites publishing to wisc.edu domains. 

The www.wisc.edu search is using Google Custom Search engine. Once a page is indexed by Google, Office of Strategic Communications can block a result from showing on the campus search, but it will still remain visible in a general Google search. It is nearly impossible to remove an indexed page. If you have additional questions about the campus search, it is recommended that you reach out to Office of Strategic Communications, the group that designs and governs the campus search tool.

Content Removal from Lookahead Search

For the purposes of this doc, the lookahead search is triggered by clicking on the magnifying glass and typing in the search box on the main wisc.edu site.

If your content is appearing in the lookahead search and it should not be, or the link needs to be changed, contact Office of Strategic Communications, the group that designs and governs the campus search tool.

Content Removal from Major Search Engines

It is extremely important to note that removing content from a search engine takes a good deal of time and is not easily accomplished. WiscWeb has no control over this process. Each search engine has a different process and timeline for these requests. WiscWeb cannot field questions regarding the status of the request, how long it will take, or how to expedite the process.

Google

Once the content has been removed from the site, the page link can be removed from Google search results by filing a URL removal request. The content should already be removed from the site before this request is submitted.

URL removal requests are typically processed within 1 day.

Bing

Contact Bing support for an urgent removal of content from search results. In the submission, note that it is an emergency “results removal” request.

Yahoo!

Removal of personal information from public search results in Yahoo can prove difficult. You will need to make sure that no personal information is publicly available on any services that the person uses on the internet. This is vague, but implies that perhaps the personal information would need to be removed from Microsoft (and possibly other) apps.

After a non-Yahoo website has updated their content, Yahoo Search will reflect the update after the next content refresh cycle completes (up to 6-8 weeks). Until then, you’ll still see the result in question in Yahoo Search Results.