How to Protect Your Search Reputation

When someone searches your name or your business, what do they find? Your LinkedIn profile? An article you wrote? Or something you wish would disappear?

Your search reputation is often your first impression. Whether you’re applying for a job, meeting a new client, or trying to grow your personal brand, what shows up on Google matters.

If you’re not managing it, someone else—or something else—is.

Why Search Reputation Matters

First page = first judgment

Most people don’t click past the first page of Google. In fact, 75% of users never scroll beyond page one.

That means the top 10 results shape how others see you. One old tweet, a rant from a stranger, or an embarrassing photo can stick—and cause real damage.

Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, or executive, a bad result can lead to lost jobs, missed deals, or awkward conversations. It doesn’t need to go viral to hurt you. It just needs to show up.

“Your name follows you everywhere—online and off,” said Daniel Razionale, a sustainability advocate and outdoor enthusiast. “If you don’t take charge of what people see when they Google you, someone else will shape that story for you.”

What You Can Find About Yourself

Search like someone else would

Start by Googling your full name. Then add details:

• “[Your name] + city”
• “[Your name] + employer”
• “[Your name] + reviews”
• “[Your name] + Twitter/Facebook”

Now do the same on Google Images and YouTube. Look at the first 20 results.

Ask yourself:

• Are these links accurate?
• Do they help or hurt me?
• Is there anything outdated, irrelevant, or false?

One law student found that an old Reddit comment he made in college was ranking for his name. It wasn’t offensive—but it looked sloppy. It stuck around until he started publishing more current, professional content.

How Bad Results Can Follow You

The internet doesn’t forget

Once something gets picked up by a search engine, it can stay there for years.

Common reputation problems include:

• Outdated mugshots
• Old social media posts
• Blog comments taken out of context
• Fake reviews
• Personal info on people-search sites
• Bad press from past mistakes

One small business owner in Chicago discovered a fake Yelp review linking to her name and business. It wasn’t just hurting her profile—it was showing up on Google for every client search. That review lived in search results for two years until she got professional help.

What You Can Do to Clean It Up

You have more control than you think

If something’s truly harmful, there are ways to remove or hide it. Here’s how to start:

1. Remove content you control
   Delete old tweets, change privacy settings on Facebook, and clean up Reddit accounts. Deactivate unused profiles.
2. Contact websites directly
   If a post or comment is outdated or false, ask the site owner to remove it. Be polite and direct.
3. Report content to Google
   If it violates a policy—like harassment, impersonation, or sensitive personal info—you can request to remove from Google search using their removal request tools.
4. Suppress bad results
   If removal doesn’t work, create content that outranks the bad links. Start a blog, write on LinkedIn, get interviewed, or publish updates about your work.

Google ranks active, useful, and recent content higher. With a little effort, you can push the old stuff down.

How to Build a Stronger Search Presence

Focus on what you want people to see

The best defense is a better offense. Fill Google with good content that reflects who you are now—not who you were years ago.

Start with these:

• LinkedIn (fully updated, professional headshot, keywords)
• A personal website or portfolio
• Guest posts on blogs in your industry
• Articles you write or are quoted in
• Local news features or interviews
• A consistent Instagram or YouTube channel, if relevant

Example: A freelance designer had an old high school article ranking on page one. It was harmless, but weird. She started posting weekly design tips on LinkedIn and was featured in two small business blogs. In 60 days, her own content replaced the old article in search.

Watch for New Risks

One click can change everything

Set a Google Alert for your name. That way, if something new pops up, you’ll be the first to know.

Review your profiles monthly. Stay active on the platforms that matter most to your work. Don’t leave them idle.

Be careful what you post—especially on public accounts. One sarcastic tweet or reposted meme can show up for years.

Tip: Before posting anything personal, ask: “Would I want this to show up on the first page of Google next to my name?”

If the answer is no, don’t post it.

When to Call in Help

Not everything can be fixed alone

If you’re facing serious online damage—like defamation, harassment, or old news you can’t shake—it’s okay to ask for help.

Reputation services can:

• Request takedowns
• Suppress negative results
• Build content that ranks higher
• Help remove personal data from data brokers

This is especially useful for public figures, job seekers, or people with common names who get mixed up with others.

If you’ve searched your name 10 times and still hate what you see, it’s probably time to get help.

Final Thought: You Own Your Name

Your name is your brand. And like any brand, it needs care, attention, and protection.

Google isn’t perfect. But with the right strategy, you can control how the world sees you. One page at a time.

Start by searching yourself. Clean up what you can. Add new content that shows your strengths. And act fast when something shows up that doesn’t belong.

You only get one name. Make sure what shows up next to it actually represents you.