The $0 DIY Guide to Filing DMCA Takedowns

You don't need to pay anyone to file a DMCA takedown. Here's exactly how to do it yourself, step by step, with templates you can copy and paste.

What is a DMCA Takedown?

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is a US law that requires websites to remove copyrighted content when the owner requests it. Even sites hosted outside the US often comply because their payment processors, CDNs (like Cloudflare), and advertisers are US-based.

Key point: You own the copyright to content you created. You don't need to register it anywhere. If you took the photo or video, you own it and can demand its removal.

What You Need Before Filing

The exact URLs — Not just the site, the specific pages where your content appears
Proof you own it — Usually just a statement that you created it. For disputed cases, original files with metadata help.
Your real name — DMCA requires your legal name. Some services let you use an agent to keep your identity private.
Contact info — Email at minimum, sometimes address

Step 1: Find the Right Place to Send Your DMCA

You have several options, and sometimes you need to use multiple:

Option A: The Website Directly

Many sites have DMCA/copyright pages. Look in the footer for "DMCA," "Copyright," "Legal," or "Contact." Major sites like Pornhub, xVideos, Reddit, and Twitter all have dedicated forms.

Option B: The Hosting Provider

If the site doesn't respond (or doesn't have a DMCA page), go to their hosting provider. Here's how to find it:

Go to whois.domaintools.com
Enter the site's domain
Look for "Hosting Provider" or "IP Location"
Search for that host's abuse/DMCA contact

Option C: Cloudflare (if applicable)

Many sites use Cloudflare for protection. Cloudflare won't remove the content, but they'll reveal the actual host. File at: cloudflare.com/abuse/form

Option D: Google (for search results)

This removes URLs from Google search, not the actual content. Use after you've gotten the content removed (or if the site won't respond): support.google.com/legal/troubleshooter/1114905. For more detailed instructions, visit RemoveFromGoogle.com.

Step 2: The DMCA Notice Template

Here's a template you can copy and customize:

Subject: DMCA Takedown Notice

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to notify you of copyright infringement on your platform/service.

1. Identification of copyrighted work:
Original content created by me, including photographs and videos of myself.

2. Identification of infringing material:
The following URLs contain my copyrighted content uploaded without authorization:
[LIST EACH URL ON ITS OWN LINE]

3. Contact information:
Name: [YOUR LEGAL NAME]
Email: [YOUR EMAIL]
Address: [YOUR ADDRESS - can be PO Box]

4. Statements:
I have a good faith belief that the use of the material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.

The information in this notice is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, I am the owner of an exclusive right that is being infringed.

5. Signature:
/s/ [YOUR NAME]
Date: [DATE]

Step 3: Send It

For web forms: Copy the relevant parts into their form fields.

For email: Send to abuse@, legal@, dmca@, or copyright@ at the domain. If those bounce, check their site for the correct address.

Keep records: Screenshot everything. Save sent emails. You may need to follow up or escalate.

Common DMCA Contacts

Major Tube Sites

Pornhub: pornhub.com/content-removal
xVideos: info.xvideos.com/legal/dmca
xHamster: xhamster.com/dmca

Social Platforms

Reddit: reddit.com/report (select copyright)
Twitter/X: help.twitter.com/forms/dmca
Discord: dis.gd/request (select Trust & Safety)
Telegram: telegram.org/dmca (notoriously slow)

Search Engines

Google: support.google.com/legal/troubleshooter/1114905
Bing: bing.com/webmaster/tools/contentremoval

File Hosts

Mega: mega.nz/abuse
Google Drive: support.google.com/drive/troubleshooter/2982620

What Happens Next

Response times vary wildly:

Major US sites: 24-72 hours
Smaller legitimate sites: 1-2 weeks
Offshore/sketchy sites: May never respond
Google search removal: 1-4 weeks

If they don't respond:

Escalate to hosting provider
Report to Cloudflare if applicable
File with Google anyway (removes from search even if site keeps it)
Consider a removal service for stubborn cases

The Honest Truth

DIY takedowns work for most mainstream sites. You can absolutely handle this yourself if you have the time and patience. Where it gets hard:

When content is on dozens of sites simultaneously
When sites are hosted in non-cooperative countries
When you need to stay anonymous
When content keeps getting re-uploaded

For a few links on major sites? DIY is totally reasonable. For a major leak across many platforms that keeps resurfacing? That's when professional help saves you dozens of hours.

Overwhelmed?

If your content is on too many sites to handle yourself, we can take over. We'll handle all the filings, follow-ups, and monitoring so you don't have to.

Get Help With Takedowns →