inurl:post is only a search operator that helps you find pages whose address contains "post". It removes nothing. To hide them, use the Removals tool in Search Console and choose "Remove all URLs with this prefix", which works for addresses that begin the same way, such as /post/. For a lasting fix, add noindex or return 404 or 410.
Why it matters
Old, duplicate or unwanted pages under one folder can clutter search results. Removing them one by one is slow, and the temporary removal fades, so it is worth understanding what each tool does before you start.
How to do it
- Find the pages. Search Google for the pages you want gone:
site:example.com inurl:post
This only lists them. It does not change anything.
- Decide what should happen to the pages. If they are gone for good, serve a 404 or 410 status. If they moved, redirect each to its new page with a 301. If they must stay for visitors but not in search, add a noindex tag.
- Apply that fix on your site first. This is the permanent part.
- Open Search Console, choose the property and select Removals, then New request.
- On the Temporary removals tab, enter the address that starts the folder, for example
https://www.example.com/post/, and choose "Remove all URLs with this prefix". Submit the request. - Check the request status. A temporary removal hides the pages from results for about six months. During that time, Google should recrawl them and see your permanent fix.
- Recheck with the site: search after a while, and confirm in the Pages report that the address groups are leaving the index.
The prefix option matches the beginning of an address only. It cannot remove every URL that merely contains a word somewhere in the middle. For those, remove each group by its shared prefix or fix them at the source.
Common mistakes
- Treating inurl: as a removal command. It is a search operator only.
- Entering a prefix that is too short, such as your home page, which would hide far more than intended.
- Relying on robots.txt to remove pages. Blocking crawling does not take pages out of the index.
- Doing only the temporary removal and leaving the pages live and indexable, so they return later.
- Requesting removal for a site you do not own. You need a verified property.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Removals tool delete my pages?
No. It only hides them from Google results for a limited time. The pages stay on your site until you remove or change them.
Should I use 404 or 410?
Both tell Google the page is gone. A 410 states more clearly that removal is intentional, while a 404 is fine and far more common. Either works for a lasting removal.
How long does a permanent removal take?
The time is set by how soon Google recrawls each page and sees the 404, 410 or noindex. Busy pages are revisited sooner than rarely visited ones.
Related guides
- Remove URLs from Google Search
- 410 vs 404 for removed pages
- noindex vs robots.txt
- What does a noindex tag do?
To see which of your pages are still reachable, Try the free website sample.