Your options compared
Most people looking for a takedown service end up choosing between five kinds of help. They differ a lot in how you pay, who does the work and what happens when a site doesn't respond.
| Option |
How you pay |
What the price usually covers |
Who does the work |
Check before you pay |
The DMCA.com option |
| Managed takedown service |
Per link, per site or per case |
Varies a lot. Some charge per link, others per site or per case, and harder cases cost more |
A team writes, sends and follows up on notices |
What's included, the refund terms and what costs extra |
Standard Takedown from $199 per site. A real person reviews every case. Notices go to the site, its host and its domain registrar where applicable, with every follow-up until it's down. Money-back guarantee on qualifying Standard takedowns. |
| Monitoring subscription |
Monthly |
Scanning for copies. Removals may cost extra |
Software looks for copies. Removals depend on the plan |
Whether removals are included or charged separately, and how to cancel |
Protection Pro, $10 a month. Monitoring scans plus the DIY Takedown Toolkit. |
| Freelancer on a marketplace |
Per gig |
Usually one notice. Follow-ups may cost extra |
One person |
Whose name goes on the notice, whether follow-ups are included and what happens if nothing comes down |
Free review first, so you know what's involved before you pay. You pay nothing until you decide to go ahead. |
| DIY tools |
Monthly |
Templates and tools. You do the work |
You |
Whether you have the time to find the right contacts and follow up yourself |
DIY Takedown Toolkit, $10 a month in Protection Pro. Templates, sample wording, host lookup tools and a case portal to track what you've sent. |
| Lawyer |
Hourly or flat fee |
Legal advice and action, usually billed by the hour |
A lawyer |
Whether your case needs legal action, or just a takedown |
Platinum Takedown, $599 per site, for trademark enforcement, cease and desist letters and counter-claim handling. We're not a law firm, so for lawsuits you need a lawyer. |
Standard ($199 per site): we send takedown notices to the site, its host and its domain registrar where applicable, and chase the host until the content is down.
Premium ($399 per site): for many infringing URLs, difficult hosts, platforms that need extra research, and escalation when hosts don't respond.
Platinum ($599 per site): trademark enforcement, cease and desist letters, counter-claim handling and Google search result removal requests.
Harder cases may cost more, and we tell you before you pay anything extra.
10 things the best services do
1. A real person reviews your case
Every case is different. Look for a service where a person checks your links, tells you what's realistic and picks the right approach, rather than firing off automatic notices.
2. Clear pricing before you pay
Find out whether you pay per site, per link or per month, and what would cost extra, like more links, going to the host or Google removal. A good provider tells you before charging you more.
3. Refund terms in writing
If a service offers a guarantee, read exactly what it covers. Which cases qualify? What counts as a failure? How do you claim it? A vague "guarantee" isn't worth much.
4. What's included
Ask whether the price covers:
- Writing the notice and finding the right contact
- Following up when the site doesn't respond
- Going to the hosting company
- Google search removal
- Handling a counter-notice if the uploader pushes back
5. Experience with your kind of case
Removing leaked personal photos is very different from removing copied product listings. Ask whether they regularly handle cases like yours.
6. Privacy and discretion
Ask how your name and details appear on notices, who on their team sees your case and how your information is stored. This matters most for intimate or personal content.
7. Honesty about limits
No one controls every website, so no one can honestly promise removal from the whole internet or an exact time frame. A trustworthy service tells you what's likely, what's possible and what isn't.
8. Clear about what they are
Most takedown services aren't law firms and can't give legal advice. That's fine for takedowns, but you should know which you're dealing with, and where to turn if your case needs a lawyer.
9. Easy to reach
Check that you can contact them, get updates on your case and get an answer when you have a question.
10. Independent reviews
Look at reviews on independent review sites, not just testimonials on the provider's own website.
“Some clients come to us after paying someone else and getting no updates, no follow-up and no refund. That’s why I tell people to check independent reviews and refund terms before paying anyone, including us.”
Julie Lyle, Takedown Manager
Questions to ask before you pay
Copy these into an email or chat with any provider you're considering:
1. Will a person review my case before you send anything?
2. What will it cost, and what could make it cost more?
3. What does your refund or guarantee cover, exactly?
4. How will my name and details appear on the notices?
5. How will you keep me updated, and how can I reach you?
6. Have you handled cases like mine before?