How can I Push Down Negative Search Results?

Many people struggle with removing negative content online. Sometimes, the best strategy is not removal, but to bury negative results by adding new, positive content.

Note: If you want to disappear from the web completely, this method is not for you. This approach increases the amount of information about you online, but can shift search results in a more positive direction.

Step 1: Create New Public Profiles

Websites that rank highly on Google can help you push down unwanted results by letting you control what shows up for your name. Create new profiles (using your real name and basic info) on sites like:

• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Google
• Blogger
• Tumblr
• Photobucket
• Quora
• Reddit
• MySpace
• Formspring
• Foursquare
• About.Me
• Digg
• Yahoo Pulse
• Flickr

Tips:

• Set your profile to “public” so it appears in search.
• Only post content you are comfortable having online forever.

Step 2: Use Your Accounts to Comment and Post

Another option is to use your real name to register on news sites and comment on articles.  These types of posts don’t usually rank as highly as the kinds of sites posted above. If you’re ready to do a bit of self-censorship, posting under your real name can be a good way to ‘sell’ yourself.  

• Register and use your new accounts to comment on news, blogs, and forums under your real name.
• Focus on posting high-quality, thoughtful, and positive content related to your interests, work, or expertise.
• Remember: Anything you say can show up on Google, so post wisely.

Step 3: Interlink Your Profiles

One of the ways that Google decides rankings in search results is by seeing how many times other sites link to a specific search result.  Your content can rise by simply linking to itself, e.g. create a Twitter account, connect that to your Facebook page, connect both to your Photobucket, and link to them all in your Blogger page. So:

• Add links between all your public profiles (for example: link your Facebook on your Blogger, or add your Twitter handle to your LinkedIn).
• The more cross-links, the better your positive pages can climb in search rankings.
• Stay active. The more you use your accounts and interact with other people using those accounts, the more likely they are to link to your content, which will drive your results even higher.

Step 4: Target Negative Keywords

If a generic search for your name is showing positive results, but including a particular keyword brings up negative or unwanted results, you can create content to reclaim that term.  

• Sometimes negative results only show up for certain searches (example: “Jane Doe State College”).
• Create new, positive content with these same keywords: for example, a blog post or social profile mentioning “Jane Doe State College” in a positive context.

Final Tips:

• Protect your privacy. Never share information you’ll regret later.
• Regularly check your search results to see your progress.
• If you need expert help, the DeleteMe team is here to support you.