Learn how to suppress Google search results and prioritize positive content to manage your reputation online.
With so much personal information available online, many people wonder how to remove negative search results. And if you don’t know where to start, the process can be a nightmare.
Today, people turn to the internet to find information, whether that’s contact information for an old friend, how-to guides, gossip or anything else they’re interested in at the moment.
The question is: What does the internet say about you?
Search engine users put a lot of trust in Google’s search results, and that includes both positive and negative results. That means that, whether or not the information is accurate, search results from Google can create your online reputation for you.
Since practically every individual and brand has a presence online, it’s imperative that you maintain a positive online reputation.
A major component of that is taking control of the information available about you online. That involves several steps:
- Finding unwanted Google search results
- Submitting a removal request to have the negative content taken down
- Using negative search results suppression methods when negative content can’t be removed
- Developing and promoting positive content that will rank higher on search engines
In this article, we will discuss how to suppress Google search results so you can get a better handle on your reputation mangement.
Why Is Negative Content Showing Up On Google?
For starters, let us explain how Google operates and why you see the specific results — including those unwanted results — you currently see.
Think of Google as a librarian. Just like a librarian doesn’t own the books in their library, Google doesn’t own the content it shows you in search results. The same is true for other search engines, too.
Instead, both a librarian and Google point you toward the content you’re looking for.
Sometimes, what a user is searching for is best responded to with negative search results for you or your brand. It may not be helpful for you or your reputation management, but if it satisfies the user’s query, then it satisfies Google, too.
Why Is My Personal Information in Search Engine Results?
There are thousands of data brokers operating today. By crawling web pages and collecting personal info about users, data brokers and people search sites can compile all sorts of information about you, including:
- Your full name
- Current and past addresses
- Phone numbers
- Financial information
- Criminal history
- Family members’ information
When any data broker site catalogs this information, it becomes even easier for other people search sites to do the same.
That’s how so much of your personal and sensitive data can end up online and show up in negative search results.
Yes, you can submit a removal request to each and every website that has your information. However, it’s far easier to have an online reputation management company handle it for you.
Do you want to speak with an expert about removing your personal information and other unwanted results from the internet? Contact us today at 844-461-3632.
First Step: Try To Remove Unwanted Search Results
Before you try to suppress negative search results, submit a removal request to have the content taken down from the site.
Contact the site owner and ask that they remove the negative content. If you can show that the article or photo doesn’t bring any traffic to their website, they’re more likely to comply and either update or remove the content.
Online reputation management works to address these situations head-on for you. That way, you can focus on what really matters, which is running your business.
Have you tried contacting website owners and aren’t having any luck with content removal? Speak with one of our experts at 844-461-3632.
How To Suppress Unwanted Google Search Results
Once you’ve tried to remove unwanted search results, your next best option is to suppress them.
Suppression means that you use SEO tactics to make a negative search result rank lower in Google. Ideally, by pushing it to the fourth page or further in Google, people are much less likely to find it and click on it. By reducing views and activity on a link, it’ll continue to rank poorly and rarely be found.
To remove Google search results from high-ranking positions, creating fresh content is key. Positive and neutral content that’s optimized for search can remove unwanted search results from prominent spots.
Promoting your brand through social media posts and in the media will also help suppress any web page that you don’t want to show up on the first page of results.
How To Promote Your Social Media Profiles
One of the easiest ways to promote yourself online is through social media sites. They’re free to join and use, and you may already have a few accounts that are set up and active.
Implement a public relations strategy and search engine optimization into the mix to maximize your reach.
One easy trick to blast out a ton of online content about yourself is to change your private social media accounts to public. This allows Google to index all of that content, including your images and videos, and show it in search results.
Just make sure that the content on your social media sites is positive so it repairs your online reputation instead of hurting it more.
Also, post to your social media sites several times a week to continue adding fresh content to Google. And if you don’t already have them, open a few different social media accounts, like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X, TikTok, etc.
How to Suppress Google Search Results by Creating Podcasts
Podcasts provide an excellent platform to showcase your authority and improve your online reputation. Plus, they can be great for suppressing negative content, especially if you post a new episode weekly or more often.
Podcasts rank in search results when metadata areas are filled out. By adding keywords to the title and description of the podcast, you can help the podcast and individual episodes rank in search results.
Moreover, if you create a transcript of a podcast episode and post it online, Google has even more content to crawl, index and return in results.
How to Suppress Google Search Results Using Customer Feedback
Sharing consumer testimonials is a great way to add optimized content to the internet. Plus, they show potential customers why they should trust you or your brand.
You may still have negative reviews that are rising to the surface of search results, though. You’ll want to suppress them so that potential customers and clients don’t get the wrong impression.
Since most review platforms won’t remove negative reviews unless you can prove they’re false or defamatory, your only option is to get enough great reviews so the negative ones aren’t nearly as visible.
There are a number of ways to generate more reviews from customers:
- Create various business listings on review sites so customers have lots of options.
- Create an incentive, like a discount code, if they write a review. (Note that you can’t request a positive review, just an honest review.)
- Compliment the customer first! By making them feel good, they may be more inclined to leave you an online review.
- Directly ask them for a review if you know they are pleased with your service or product.
Since most people are only motivated to leave a review after a negative experience, they may need an extra push from you to write about a positive experience.
Expert Content Removal and Content Suppression Services
If you’re still stuck or this sounds like way too much work to add to your busy schedule, reputation management companies like NetReputation can help.
We’ll work with you to suppress unwanted search results and promote positive content to help your online reputation.
You don’t have to lose sleep over negative search results and the harm they’re doing to your online presence. We know exactly what to do about them so you can reach the personal or business goals you’re after.
We’ll work to eliminate any trace of negative information online pertaining to you or your business.
Contact us today at 844-461-3632 or by filling out the contact form below for a free consultation.
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by Net Reputation