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Have you ever searched for your name on Google and wondered how to get your own profile to appear in the results? Google’s Add Me to Search feature once made this possible through People Cards, allowing individuals to create a public profile with their name, profession, location, and other details. However, the feature is no longer available.
Google discontinued People Cards in April 2024, with existing card data permanently deleted after May 7, 2024. This means you can no longer create a People Card by searching for “Add Me to Search” or “Add me to Google.”
But that doesn’t mean you can’t build a presence on Google. From creating a personal website and strengthening your public profiles to qualifying for a Google Knowledge Panel, there are still ways to help people find accurate information about you online.
In this guide, we’ll explain what happened to Google People Cards, what former users need to know, and six practical ways to establish your online presence in 2026.
What Was Add Me to Search (Google People Card)?
Add me to Search was a free Google feature that let individuals create a public “People Card” that showed up when someone searched their name. Google launched it in 2020, and it was available mainly in India, with later reports of availability in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
A Google People Card worked like a virtual visiting card. It could include:
- Your name, photo and profession
- A short bio and location
- Links to your website and social profiles
- Optional contact details such as email or phone
To create one, you signed in to your Google account on mobile, searched “add me to search,” and filled in a form. Google verified your phone number, and the card appeared when people searched your name along with something like “people card.”
It was popular with freelancers, students and small business owners who wanted a quick presence on Google without building a website. It was limited to one card per Google account, and businesses couldn’t create one.
Is Add Me to Search Still Available?
No. Google discontinued People Cards worldwide in April 2024, saying the feature had limited helpfulness for users. Card owners were told to save their content, and all People Card data was permanently deleted after May 7, 2024.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 7, 2024 | All remaining People Card data permanently deleted |
| April 2024 | Google removed People Cards from Search |
| Early 2024 | Google notified card owners of the shutdown |
| 2020 | Add me to Search launched, starting in India |
Why “Add Me to Search” Is Not Working
If you search “add me to search” or “add me to Google” and see no “Get started” prompt, nothing is wrong with your phone, account, or region. The feature has been removed for everyone. Any guide that still lists steps to create a People Card is out of date.
Can I Delete My Google People Card?
There’s nothing left to delete. Google removed every People Card and erased the data itself, so your old card no longer appears in Search. If outdated information about you still shows on Google, it’s coming from another source, such as an old profile, a directory listing, or a news article. The fix is to update or remove it at that source, or to request removal using Google’s Results about you tool for personal contact details.
What About Blogger and Other Google Services?
Only the People Card service shut down. Blogger, Google Business Profile, and your Google account were not affected.
How to Get Your Name on Google in 2026: 6 Add Me to Search Alternatives
The best Add Me to Search alternative depends on who you are. Individuals should aim for a Knowledge Panel backed by a personal website and strong profiles. Businesses should start with a Google Business Profile.
1. Claim Your Google Knowledge Panel
A Knowledge Panel is the information box that appears on the right of Google results (or at the top on mobile) when you search a well-known person, brand, or organization. It’s the closest thing to a People Card today, and it carries more trust because Google builds it from multiple sources.
If a panel already exists for you, you can claim it and suggest edits. If none exists yet, the steps below help Google build one. See the next section for how to claim a Knowledge Panel.
2. Build a Personal Website with Person Schema
A site on your own domain, such as yourname.com, is the most reliable way to appear in Google search for your name. It’s also the main source Google uses to understand who you are.
- Use your full name in the title tag, H1, and About page.
- Add Person schema markup with your name, job title, image, and a sameAs list of your official profiles.
- Link out to your LinkedIn, X, Instagram, YouTube, and any author pages.
This markup helps Google connect your profiles into one entity in its Knowledge Graph, which is what eventually triggers a Knowledge Panel.
3. Create and Optimize Public Profiles
High-authority profiles often rank on page one for a name search. Set up and complete:
- LinkedIn (use your full name in the custom URL)
- X, Instagram, and YouTube, if relevant to your work
- Crunchbase, for founders and executives
- About.me or a similar link-in-bio page
- Wikidata, if you meet its notability guidelines
Keep your name, photo, headline, and bio consistent across all of them. Consistency is what lets Google tie them together.
4. Add Your Business to Google with a Google Business Profile
If you run a business, a Google Business Profile is the way to add your business to Google. It shows your business on Google Search and Maps with your hours, reviews, photos, and contact details. Sign in at business.google.com, add your business, and complete verification.
A Google Business Profile is a separate product from a People Card. It is for businesses with a physical location or a service area, not for personal profiles.
5. Get Featured on Authoritative Websites
Mentions in news articles, podcasts, industry publications, and conference speaker pages give Google independent sources that confirm who you are. A few strong features often do more for your name search results than dozens of profiles.
6. Monitor and Manage Your Name Search Results
Search your name regularly in an incognito window and note what shows up. Set up a Google Alert for your name. If inaccurate or harmful results appear, online reputation management (ORM) can help push them down by building up accurate, positive content.
How to Claim a Google Knowledge Panel for a Person
You can claim a Knowledge Panel only if Google has already created one for you. Here’s how:
- Sign in to your Google account.
- Search your full name on Google and look for a Knowledge Panel.
- Scroll to the bottom of the panel and click Claim this knowledge panel.
- Verify your identity by signing in to one of your official profiles that Google recognizes, such as YouTube, Search Console for your website, X, or Instagram.
- Once verified, use Suggest edits to update your photo, description, and links.
If you don’t see a panel, Google doesn’t have enough trusted information about you yet. Work through alternatives 2, 3, and 5 above: a website with Person schema, consistent profiles, and mentions on authoritative sites. It can take several months for a panel to appear, and Google doesn’t guarantee one.
People Card vs Knowledge Panel vs Google Business Profile
These three are often confused. Only the last two still exist.
| Feature | Who is it for | Who can create | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Knowledge Panel | Notable people, brands, organizations | Google creates it from trusted sources; you claim it | Active |
| Google Business Profile | Businesses with a location or service area | You create and verify it | Active |
| People Card (Add me to Search) | Individuals | You created it yourself on mobile | Discontinued April 2024 |
Conclusion
Add me to Search is gone, but the goal behind it still matters: when someone searches your name, you want them to find accurate, professional information you control. In 2026, that comes from a personal website with Person schema, consistent public profiles, mentions on trusted sites, and, over time, a claimed Knowledge Panel. Businesses should start with a verified Google Business Profile.
Want to control what people see when they Google your name? IndeedSEO’s personal branding and online reputation management team can build your name search presence and work toward a Knowledge Panel. Book a free consultation.
FAQs
Is Add me to Search still available?
No. Google discontinued Add me to Search (People Cards) in April 2024 and deleted all card data after May 7, 2024.
Why is Add me to Search not working?
It isn’t a problem with your account or device. The feature was removed for everyone, so no “Get started” prompt appears anymore.
Is Add me to Search available in India?
Not anymore. India was the main market for People Cards, but the shutdown applied worldwide.
How can I add myself to Google Search for free?
Create complete LinkedIn and social profiles, publish a simple personal website, and add Person schema to it. All of these are free or low-cost and can rank for your name.
How do I add my photo to Google Search?
Use the same clear headshot on your website and public profiles. If you have a Knowledge Panel, claim it and suggest your preferred photo through Suggest edits.
What is the best Add me to Search alternative?
For individuals, a claimed Google Knowledge Panel backed by a personal website. For businesses, a verified Google Business Profile.
How do I add my business to Google?
Create a Google Business Profile at business.google.com and complete verification. It will show your business on Search and Maps.
