Google Yourself: Understanding and Managing Your Online Reputation

Introduction to Online Reputation

Have you ever wondered what people see when they search for your name online? In today’s digital world, your online reputation can be just as important as the impression you make in person. Consider it your initial digital impression! 

At Level Up PR, we know that managing how you appear online isn’t just for celebrities or big companies anymore. Everyone needs to care about their digital footprint, especially professionals and business owners.

A strong personal brand strategy starts with understanding what’s already out there about you. When potential clients, employers, or partners type your name into Google, what they find can make or break opportunities before you even know they exist.

Ignoring your online reputation can lead to missed chances, damaged relationships, or even problems in your career. That’s why taking control of your digital presence is one of the smartest moves you can make for your future success.

How to Perform a Google Search on Yourself

Checking your online reputation starts with a simple Google search, but there’s more to it than just typing your name. Here’s how to do a thorough search:

1. Open Google in a private or incognito browser window (this prevents your search history from affecting results)
2. Type your full name in quotation marks (like “Jane Smith”) to get exact matches
3. Try variations of your name that others might search for
4. Include your location, job title, or organization to view results tailored to your context. 
5. Check at least the first 3-5 pages of results, not just the first page

While reviewing search results, take note of: 

• Images that appear (these often stand out more than text)
• Which websites show up first
• Any suggested searches related to your name
• The “Knowledge Panel,” if available (the information box that occasionally shows up on the right) 

Remember that different people may see slightly different results based on their location and search history, but this gives you a good starting point.

Assessing Your Online Reputation

Now that you can see what others find when they search for you, it’s time to evaluate what this means for your reputation.

Initially, categorize your findings into three groups: 

• Positive content that makes you look good
• Neutral content that neither helps nor hurts
• Negative content that could damage your reputation

Review your privacy settings across all social media networks.Many people don’t realize that their personal Facebook posts or old Twitter comments are completely public. Our team at Level Up PR often finds that clients are surprised by what’s visible to everyone online.

Pay special attention to reviews or mentions on sites you don’t control. These could be:

• Comments about you on news articles
• Mentions in business reviews
• Forum discussions where your name appears
• Ratings on professional platforms

The impact of these mentions depends on how high they appear in search results and how recent they are. A negative review from five years ago on page 8 of Google results matters much less than one from last month on the first page.

Managing Your Online Reputation

Building a strong online reputation requires both defensive and offensive strategies. As a leading public relations agency, Level Up PR recommends these approaches:

Defensive Strategies:

• Delete or secure outdated social media accounts. 
• Request removal of truly harmful content (though this isn’t always possible)
• Adjust privacy settings on active accounts
• Set up Google Alerts for your name to catch new mentions

Offensive Strategies:

• Create professional profiles on LinkedIn, industry websites, and other platforms
• Develop a personal website with your name in the domain if possible
• Share valuable content related to your expertise
• Engage thoughtfully in online communities related to your field

When dealing with negative content you can’t remove, the best approach is usually to push it down in search results by creating more positive content. This is where working with the best PR agency for your needs becomes valuablewe can help create a strategy to highlight your best qualities.

Remember that responding to negative content requires careful thought. Sometimes a polite, professional response can turn a negative into a positive. Other times, it’s better not to engage at all.The correct method relies on the particular context. 

Instruments and Assets for Tracking Your Digital Reputation 

Keeping track of your online reputation doesn’t have to be difficult. These tools can help:

Free tools:

• Google Alerts: Get email notifications when your name appears online
• Social Mention: Track mentions across social platforms
• Talkwalker Alerts: Similar to Google Alerts but covers different sources

Paid services:

• Brand24: Monitors mentions across the web
• Mention: Tracks conversations about you in real-time
• Reputology: Focuses on review monitoring

For most individuals, the free tools provide enough coverage. However, businesses or professionals in high-profile positions often benefit from more comprehensive monitoring.

At Level Up PR, we combine these tools with human expertise to provide complete personal brand strategy services. Technology helps find mentions, but understanding what they mean and how to respond requires human judgment.

How Level Up PR Helps Manage Your Online Reputation

As a specialized public relations agency, Level Up PR offers comprehensive reputation management services designed to help you take control of your digital presence:

1. Reputation Audit: We conduct a thorough analysis of your current online presence, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.
2. Strategic Planning: Our team develops a customized personal brand strategy based on your professional goals and current reputation status.
3. Content Development: We create high-quality content that showcases your expertise and pushes down any negative content.
4. Media Placements: As the best PR agency for strategic visibility, we secure mentions and features in relevant publications that enhance your credibility.
5. Ongoing Monitoring: We keep track of new mentions and help you respond appropriately to maintain your positive reputation.

Our clients find that professional reputation management not only protects them from potential issues but actively creates new opportunities as their improved online presence attracts positive attention.

FAQs

What actions should I take if I come across unfavorable information on the internet?

First, assess whether the content can be removed through direct requests or legal means. If not, focus on creating positive content that will eventually push negative results further down in search rankings. Level Up PR can help develop a strategy specific to your situation.

How often should I check my online reputation?

We recommend a thorough check every 3-4 months for most individuals. However, if you’re actively job hunting, launching a business, or in a high-profile position, monthly monitoring is better. Setting up Google Alerts for your name provides continuous passive monitoring between active checks.

Can I completely remove all negative information from the internet?

Unfortunately, complete removal isn’t always possible. Some content can be removed by contacting site owners or through legal means if it’s defamatory. However, the most effective strategy is often to focus on creating positive content that ranks higher in search results. As the best PR agency for reputation management, Level Up PR specializes in these strategic approaches.

Conclusion

Your online reputation isn’t something you can set and forget. It requires regular attention and management, especially as your career evolves and your goals change.

Taking the time to Google yourself regularly is the first step in a smart personal brand strategy. By understanding what others see when they search for you, you can take control of your narrative and ensure that your online presence works for you, not against you.

Remember that building a positive reputation takes time, but damaging one can happen quickly. That’s why working with an experienced public relations agency like Level Up PR can make all the difference in developing and maintaining the digital reputation you deserve.

We encourage you to conduct your first comprehensive self-search today. Then, set a calendar reminder to check again every few months. Future prospects could be influenced by what individuals discover when they search your name on Google.