How to Delete Embarrasing Photos from Social Media [Infographic]

That’s why you’re careful about what you tweet, picky about the photos you share on Instagram, and vigilant about your Facebook privacy settings.

You’ve made absolutely sure you won’t be embarrassed by what shows up when your name is googled…

Until someone else posts an embarrassing photo of you.

No matter how vigilant you are about your own profiles, you can’t control what others post online. A friend could take a quick snapshot of you at a party when you’re not looking, and suddenly a photo of you looking smashed is being shared all over Facebook.

While that friend might remove the photo if you ask nicely, it’s not always that easy. You might be surprised to find out how common it is for cyber bullies, abusers, bitter exes, or even hackers to take unflattering and embarrassing photos and post them online.

Not only is it humiliating to be embarrassed like that in front of millions online, but it can also cause huge problems in your relationships and employment. Imagine a current or potential employer finding those photos when they search for your name, or your significant other coming across a revealing photo you sent to an ex years ago.

Just one photo could get you fired, or ruin a relationship.

And taking care of the problem is still a bit of a legal gray area. Depending on where you were when that photo was taken, and how the person obtained it, there may not be much you can do legally to get the photo removed.

But that doesn’t mean you don’t have any options to protect your job, relationships, and reputation.

Check out the graphic below to find out exactly what steps to take when you find an embarrassing photo of you. By taking quick action, you can nip the problem in the bud… before it becomes “forever.”