Removing a cached page from Google

[the_beest]

Google has indexed a page from a site that accidentally contained some sensitive data. The page has now been changed, but the cached version is still there. Obviously, I need this cached copy removing urgently.

I've signed up for a remove url account. On the remove outdated link page, it states the url must no longer exist, even though there is a 'remove cache only' option. As the page does exist, will it remove the cache, or will the request be ignored?

[hakre]

hi the_beest, welcome to webmasterworld [webmasterworld.com].

On the remove outdated link page, it states the url must no longer exist, even though there is a 'remove cache only' option.

i think the 'remove cache only' option is for only removing the cached version of your page, the url will stay in serps, so this might be the right choice for you.

As the page does exist, will it remove the cache, or will the request be ignored?

i think best is the (changed) page should still exist on your server with the appropriate meta tag that google will not cache it anymore (maybe not only if applicable after the change).
the cache should be removed because you're stating that you just want to remove the cache only.
so there is no need to delete the (changed) page off your server.

- hakre

[the_beest]

Thanks hakre, makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately the page is secure, and I get an error message stating that the tool doesn't support https. Back to square one!