Your Web Browser
If you are actively wanting to improve your online management, then the first tool of defense is your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari or whatever you prefer). Type in your name and look at the first few pages of the search results. The first page is the most important, though, as few people click through to the second or subsequent pages in a search.
It might be best if you carry out an incognito search, as sometimes the browsers have a habit of customizing your searches, which would give an untrue set of results for your name. It is essential that you don’t do a Google search while you are signed in as yourself or your company.
Look at each result, and first decide whether the result references you or not. Split every result into one of the following categories:
• Negative – the result is about you and does not show you in a positive light. Naturally, any court reports and media reports on crimes will appear here, but there are many other types of negative search results. They could be rants from your ex-partners. There could be negative social comments from unhappy customers. They may be a “mistake” from your past – the tagged Facebook photo of you streaking in your university days, or lying comatose with penises drawn on you after a youthful drinking binge. They might even be a false and nasty allegation from somebody you have upset.
• Neutral – results that neither hurt nor help your reputation. They might be your position in a school athletics race, a review of a football game you once played, or a reference to you being a member of a local club.
• About somebody else – if you are searching for your personal name there is a high likelihood that you will encounter results for people who have the same name as you. This is less likely for a business, but there will still be cases for firms with more generic names. For example, if US web developer Castle was to Google their name, they will find that their search results would be dominated by references to the Castle television show
• Positive and helpful – hopefully, you will see positive content that shows you in a good light
Don’t be too upset if the Number 1 result in Google isn’t about you. Only 50% of people can claim ownership of the first result for their name. Indeed, only 2% of people can claim all the items on the first page of the search results.
Google Alerts
The internet is always changing. That means that somebody might post something that references you any day. You can set up a Google Alert for your name (either your personal name or your business).
Google will alert you with an email when it picks up a new mention of your name. This will make it easier for you to take action, should it not be complimentary.
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