Have you recently Googled yourself and wondered what your online reputation looks like?
Let’s take a scenario, where you’ve applied for your dream job and the interview went flawlessly. You are confident, qualified and ready to start. But your online reputation doesn’t say the same about you. About 80% of employers search candidates on Google during their hiring process and 57% have rejected candidates solely based on what was found of them online. That’s exactly why you need to take action on your online reputation.
Clearly, your digital footprints have an impact on your future opportunities. It’s being scrutinized by everyone from your potential employers to business partners, clients or even personal relationships. When you search on Google, the first result gets the most attention, about 1 in 4 people click on it. That’s 10 times more than the website in the 10th spot! In fact, the top three results get over half of all the clicks. Hardly anyone goes past the first page, 92% of people stop there. With the rise of AI overviews in search engines, it furthers the importance of what ranks on the top.
Your concerns about Google search results of your name are valid. A reputation cleanup strategy becomes important especially when you are on the hunt for jobs, want to grow your business, or protect your privacy. The right strategy helps you clean your internet reputation quickly.
This blog talks about practical, expert-tested steps that help you clean your online reputation and control your story online. These strategies have helped thousands of people reclaim their online image through methods like auditing their current online presence and creating positive content that pushes down negative results. Let’s start!
Search Yourself and Audit Your Online Presence
The first vital step to clean up your reputation is finding everything that exists about you online. A full picture of your online presence shows what needs fixing and helps track progress.
Use incognito mode to get unbiased results
Start by opening an incognito or private browsing window before searching. Your previous search history won't influence the results this way. Incognito mode blocks third-party cookies by default, showing you what others see when they look you up. Log out of all your Google accounts before searching to eliminate personalized results completely.
Search results that people normally see are tailored to their own online behavior. Research shows that incognito mode gives results untouched by your search history. This reveals what potential employers or clients actually find.
Search all name variations and usernames
Your search should go beyond just one version of your name. Look up all possible variations someone might use. Here's what to search:
- Full legal name and common nicknames (e.g., Matthew vs. Matt)
- Common misspellings (e.g., Royce instead of Royse)
- Professional titles next to your name
- Social media and online account usernames
Research shows that "when researching an individual online, it is useful to search not only for their full legal name but also for many variants". Look past the first page of results - experts say check at least five pages deep since negative content might hide in later pages.
Image and video search results need attention too. These visual elements often show up prominently and can shape your online reputation substantially.
Create a spreadsheet to track results
A simple spreadsheet helps manage everything you find about yourself online. This tracking system lets you:
- Record where your name appears
- Save URLs and content types (articles, social posts, images)
- See changes over time as cleanup strategies work
- Focus on the most important issues first
This approach turns an overwhelming task into a project with clear goals you can measure.
Categorize content as positive, neutral, or negative
Look at each online mention and ask: "How would a stranger interpret this content?" Sort items into these groups:
- Positive – Professional achievements, flattering photos, positive reviews
- Neutral – Simple biographical information, non-controversial content
- Negative – Unflattering images, controversial statements, negative reviews
This sorting helps target your cleanup efforts effectively. Reputation experts suggest: "Take a look at these results as if you were a stranger finding you for the first time. How is it looking?"
Your search results change constantly. Reputation management professionals suggest doing this review monthly. This helps catch potential issues early and shows if your cleanup efforts work.
Clean Up What You Control
You've mapped out your online presence. The next step involves cleaning up content under your control. This part of reputation cleanup proves easiest since you retain control over making changes.
Delete or edit old social media posts
Your oldest platforms usually contain the most problematic content. Your Facebook account from 2006 needs more attention than your TikTok from 2020. Posts that don't align with your current views can substantially damage your reputation.
Look at your profiles through the eyes of potential employers, clients, or brand partners. Remove posts with profanity, excessive drinking, drug references, or inappropriate material right away. Archive less problematic content that didn't perform well instead of deleting it. This lets you restore it later while keeping it hidden from public view.
Start with your oldest accounts and:
- Remove questionable jokes or offensive language
- Delete unprofessional photos
- Look through tagged photos and remove unflattering image tags
"Old content can come back to haunt you at any point," warn reputation experts and let’s be real, that statement stands true.
Update bios and profile pictures
Your profile information acts as your digital front door. Keep everything current and professional on all platforms. Using consistent display names and profile pictures builds trust, while outdated details hurt credibility.
Choose high-quality, properly sized profile pictures that suit each platform. Write a bio that quickly tells people who you are and what you do. Regular updates show you actively manage your online presence, which signals professionalism.
Profile updates serve a strategic purpose beyond looks. The right keywords in your bio boost your search ranking on social platforms. People find you more easily through targeted searches.
Make personal accounts private
Take control of your digital presence by making personal social accounts private. This restricts access to approved people while you stay connected with friends.
Instagram makes accounts private by default for users under 18. Teens under 16 need parents' permission to go public. Adults can adjust privacy in each platform's settings menu. Business profiles on Instagram must stay public - switch to a personal account first.
Check these privacy settings:
- Direct message permissions
- Search engine indexing options
- Photo and post tagging permissions
SurveySparrow's reputation management tool helps spot and clean up problematic content across accounts quickly and thoroughly.
Remove outdated or unused accounts
Dormant accounts create security risks and often contain outdated information about you. These forgotten accounts leak personal data online and attract hackers.
Find forgotten accounts by:
- Searching email for "welcome," "verify," or "new account" messages
- Checking saved passwords in browsers or password managers
- Looking at apps connected to Facebook, Google, or Twitter
- Visiting HaveIBeenPwned to find accounts from data breaches
Delete accounts instead of abandoning them. Security experts point out that removing apps from your phone doesn't delete the accounts. Log in and follow proper deletion steps found in settings under "Account," "Profile," or "Privacy" menus.
Some accounts make deletion difficult. Search privacy policies for "delete" or "cancel" terms or contact support directly. California residents can tap into the California Consumer Protection Act, which requires companies to delete user data when asked.
Request Removal of Third-Party Content
Your next challenge comes after cleaning up content under your control - dealing with information others have posted. You might not have direct control over third-party content, but several options can help you get unwanted content removed.
Ask friends or admins to delete posts
The simplest solution often starts with reaching out to people who've posted about you. A direct yet friendly approach works best with friends and family. Try something like: "Hey, I'm cleaning up my online presence to job hunt. Would you mind taking down that post with me from last year?" Most friends will help out if you ask nicely.
Site administrators and forum moderators can help with content on community platforms. Find their "Contact Us" page or admin email address. Your message should stay professional and include specific URLs you want removed. Many admins will help if the content breaks their terms of service or if you make a good case.
Submit opt-out requests to data brokers
Data brokers make money by collecting and selling personal information. The United States has hundreds of these companies operating. Here's how to opt out from major brokers:
- Find the broker's privacy or opt-out page
- Fill out their removal form (you'll need your name, email, and address)
- Check back if needed (most requests take a few days)
Big data brokers like Acxiom, Experian, and LiveRamp let you opt out of their services. Acxiom takes about two weeks to confirm and process requests. Tools like SurveySparrow's reputation management system can help you find and remove unwanted third-party content more easily.
Take Control of Your Online Reputation—Start Now!
A personalized walkthrough by our experts. No strings attached!
Contact webmasters or journalists
News articles or blog posts need direct contact with the publisher. Find the right person - usually an editor or newsroom manager. Phone calls work better than emails since journalism professionals get swamped with messages.
Stay polite during your conversation and explain your situation clearly. Point out any factual errors if they exist. Show documentation if charges were dropped or records got expunged. News outlets might unpublish content that proves inaccurate, unfair, or contains inflammatory language.
Use Google's removal tools for personal data
Google offers ways to remove certain information from search results, even if the content stays online:
Their tools can remove specific personal information such as:
- Addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses
- Government ID numbers and bank account details
- Images of signatures or ID documents
- Medical records and login credentials
Submit removal requests through Google's Results About You tool or their Personal Information Removal form. Each request gets individual review based on privacy needs and public interest. Approved requests lead to complete URL removal or hiding results from name-based searches.
Note that Google's tools only change search visibility - the original content stays on its source website.
Suppress Negative Results with Positive Content
You can suppress negative content by creating positive content that ranks higher in search results when removal isn't possible. This reputation strategy works well because 91.5% of people never look beyond Google's first page. The approach offers an excellent alternative when direct removal isn't feasible.
Create a personal website or blog
Your personal website forms the foundation of your online reputation. You retain complete control over this space, unlike social media profiles. The website acts as your digital business card to showcase your professional achievements.
Secure a domain with your name (e.g., yourname.com). Regular updates with content that reflects your current self will help. Search engines value fresh, high-quality content, which builds credibility steadily.
Publish articles or guest posts
Guest posting lets you publish articles on other websites while directing exposure to your site. This approach helps you establish authority, drives traffic to your website, and creates backlinks.
Look for these qualities when seeking guest posting opportunities:
- Content aligned with your industry
- An engaged readership (posts with shares and comments)
- Active owners on social media who promote contributors' work
Your guest post pitches should appeal to the blog's audience. Include a well-crafted bio with strategic links back to your website.
Optimize LinkedIn and professional profiles
LinkedIn and other social networks typically appear on the first page of name searches. A well-optimized LinkedIn profile has:
- Professional profile photo (profiles with photos get 21x more views)
- Compelling headline beyond just your job title
- Detailed "About" section that tells your professional story
- Quantifiable achievements in your experience section
Note that regular profile updates provide one of the quickest ways to improve your search presence.
Link your content to boost SEO
Strategic linking between your online properties signals Google that these assets belong together. This approach boosts their collective authority and helps push unwanted results off the first page.
Your content needs cross-promotion across platforms and backlinks from industry websites and directories. This network of positive content strengthens your online reputation while pushing down negative results.
Monitor and Maintain Your Reputation
Your online reputation needs constant attention and alertness to keep the positive image you've built. A monitoring system lays the foundation for long-term reputation management.
Set up Google Alerts for your name
Google Alerts works like your personal reputation monitoring assistant and notifies you when your name appears online. You can set up these alerts in just a few minutes:
- Visit Google Alerts (google.com/alerts)
- Enter your full name in quotation marks (e.g., "John Smith")
- Click "Show options" to customize how often you receive notifications
- Select delivery frequency, sources, language, and region
- Click "Create Alert" to activate your monitoring system
You should create more alerts for name variations, your business name, and your competitors. This proactive step helps you catch potential problems early.
Regularly review your search results
People quickly lose interest when they find negative information about a person or company online. Regular search result reviews become crucial. Experts suggest checking your search results monthly to get an accurate picture of your online presence.
Your reviews should focus on:
- New content that mentions your name
- Changes in search result rankings
- Images and videos linked to you
- Reviews on industry-specific platforms
Track changes in your spreadsheet
The spreadsheet from your original audit becomes more valuable over time. You can document new findings, note improvements, and spot emerging issues. Your tracking document should include:
- Date of each review
- New content you find
- Changes in content positioning
- Progress of removal requests
SurveySparrow reputation management tool helps you track and maintain your online presence easily. It brings all monitoring efforts together and lets you respond quickly to reputation threats.
Stay active with fresh, positive content
Creating new, quality content regularly works best to maintain your reputation. Fresh material tells search engines your profiles are active and relevant.
Positive engagement with online communities builds goodwill and strengthens your digital footprint. Take time to respond thoughtfully to comments, share your expertise, and stay active on your chosen platforms.
Note that your online reputation is a part of your brand and well, it changes every minute. If you ignore it, others will shape your brand for you.
Conclusion
Your digital presence plays a major role in how you are being perceived. Start by running a self-audit in incognito mode to see what shows up when someone searches your name. You’ll likely find outdated or forgotten content that may not reflect who you are today.
Once you know what’s out there, take action. Update public profiles, adjust privacy settings, and remove questionable content where possible. For third-party pages, submit polite removal requests or use opt-out tools. If that doesn’t work, create strong, positive content like a personal website or professional articles to create a balance and show off the positives more.
Reputation management isn’t a one-off task. It requires consistent monitoring, so set uo Google alerts, monitor your search results regularly, and keep building content that reflects your current self. The earlier you start, the sooner you gain control to make your online presence your biggest asset.
If that sounds too much for you, using dedicated tools like SurveySparrow’s reputation management software comes into play. It helps you monitor your online mentions, gather feedback, and respond effectively, so you can stay on top of how you're perceived across platforms.
Take control of your online narrative and shape how the world sees you online.
