Everything Posted Online Is Here To Stay

In today’s digital age, it’s easy to forget that every comment, like, emoji, blog, and forum post we attach our names to is written on an unerasable whiteboard with indelible ink. Everything online is permanent. Despite assurances from the popular social sites that we can delete our content at any time, the internet never forgets.

That frat party picture that everyone found so hilarious 15 years ago can disappear from specific sites. But the digital trail it blazed lingers on the internet permanently. Though you may not be able to see it, it’s out there and ready to be dug up, and what was funny for the carefree frat boy of yesteryear could be disastrous to the high-profile executive he is today.

From 24-hour monitoring to upscale content creation and promotion, our team of ORM experts can help you create the online presence you deserve. Contact us at (844) 458-6735 for more information.

Your Online Activity Never Goes Away

There is no handy undo button to call back digital bits of free-floating speech should we find ourselves in the regrettable state of posting remorse.

In the book Delete: The Virtue of Forgetting in the Digital Age by Viktor Mayer-Schönberger, which looks at the unprecedented phenomenon of “perfect remembering,” the author analyzes the unforeseen consequences in the digital age. One of the observations made is, “Potentially humiliating content on Facebook is enshrined in cyberspace for future employers to see.”

Add to the indelible whiteboard a dearth of outdated information, statements that have been taken out of context, compromising photos and videos, and the ultimate free-speech nature of the internet, which allows anyone in the world to chime in at any time with any comment, screenshot, or file they choose.

Now consider that the indelibly inked whiteboard (with your name inscribed in bold title font at the top) is supported by technology that makes all of this data available with the click of a mouse. Today’s internet is more user-friendly than ever. And it doesn’t take an IT expert to take advantage of inexpensive cloud storage, increasingly powerful software as a service (SaaS), and easy global access. As the internet goes mobile, the worldwide whiteboard is wide open for posts from anyone with a smartphone.

In Delete, Viktor Mayer-Schönberger proposes that all information should have an expiration date. A brilliant solution, but not one which is likely to function retroactively, if it ever does happen. The book has been out for 15 years, and the internet is still the Wild West of unregulated, undeletable information with no expiration date.

Find out how to create the online reputation you deserve by calling (844) 458-6735 today.

What Happens When Professional Athletes Post Before They Think?

Below, we’ll take a look at the consequences of some prominent blunders committed by well-known athletes when they chose to venture out into the unpredictable social media world beyond the white lines. Then, we’ll look at some of the solutions you can use to take charge of your web presence and control the conversation concerning your online reputation in the digital age that never forgets.

It’s a case of fighting science with science. And at Reputation Sciences, we have the proprietary digital solutions to offer control of the un-deletable whiteboard of the internet. 

But for now, consider these cases of prominent individuals who should have thought twice before hitting the “send” button.

NFL Draft Dollars Up in Smoke

In 2016, Ole Miss football player Laremy Tunsil had high hopes for himself in the NFL draft. The top-ranked tackle was expected to begin an illustrious NFL career from the number 1, 2, or 3 spots.

Unfortunately, a picture of the talented prospect taking a bong hit with a gas mask surfaced on his Instagram account on draft day. Even though the bong picture had been shot two years prior at a fraternity house, it surfaced at just the wrong time for Tunsil.

The notorious bong picture led to text messages being pirated from the young hopeful’s iCloud account. The messages discussed questionable money requests between Tunsil and the athletic director at the University of Mississippi.

The disastrous timing of the two hacks is now an infamous case of malicious social media sabotage. It likely came from an embittered former “business advisor.” But that didn’t stop Tunsil from plummeting from the top 3 draft prospects at the time.

The Miami Dolphins eventually picked up the left tackle at the #13 spot. That’s an estimated loss of $10 to $12 million for Tunsil.

Your Past Can Always Come Back to Haunt You

Laremy Tunsil’s online catastrophe demonstrates not only the potential for severe financial loss, but it’s also an excellent example of the lingering effect of social media in the digital age.

ESPN picked up screenshots of the incriminating text messages, and they went viral. To this day, in 2018, Tunsil’s tarnished reputation remains because of that single bong picture. The incident is locked in for posterity and mentioned in his bio on Wikipedia, with the “draft day” fiasco appearing prominently in internet searches.

How was Laremy Tunsil hacked? The media circus continues to this day, involving NCAA investigators and the FBI. However, those involved are remaining tight-lipped about the incident.

Apparently, the shadowy “business advisor” provided Tunsil with a new Apple device. And the naive youngster accepted an offer to have his account information transferred by that unscrupulous individual during the setup process. That’s when he broke the cardinal rule of the internet: He gave away his iCloud account password.

That opened the gate to the barrage of online attacks and the media circus that still haunts him today.

Olympic Swimmer’s Tweet Sinks Jaguar Endorsement

For Stephanie Rice, three Olympic gold medals for swimming and the Medal of the Order of Australia were no insurance against online activity going awry.

A blunt 17-character tweet cost her an endorsement and the late-model $100,000-plus Jaguar that was one of the luxurious perks of her sponsorship by Jaguar Australia.

In a burst of patriotic enthusiasm, then 22-year-old Rice posted a short but homophobic comment supporting her nation’s rugby victory when Australia’s Wallabies defeated South Africa’s Springboks. Later, Rice admitted that her tweet was sent without discretion in “the excitement of the moment,” according to this report at Reuters.

The 3-time gold medal winner had over 100,000 followers on Twitter alone, so the retweets went viral and caught the attention of the ever-vigilant sports media. As they say, the rest is history.

The chagrined swimmer quickly apologized and removed the comment, but as we’ve already learned, that couldn’t prevent an exponential storm of retweets heard around the world. This is one of the hazards for athletes and other prominent personalities with huge numbers of followers.

The damage was beyond repair, despite the apologetic blog post from Rice. Jaguar Australia general manager Kevin Goult made a public statement in a press release, saying:

“Jaguar Australia today terminated its relationship with Stephanie Rice, who has been an ambassador for the Jaguar brand in Australia since the start of 2010.”

Stephanie Rice’s case underlines the fact that there is no such thing as yesterday’s news. 

Online Reputation Management: What Stephanie Rice Got Right

As an Olympic competitor, Stephanie Rice spent her career overcoming obstacles. She didn’t allow the fallout from the indiscreet tweet to rule the online conversation for long.

While the internet never forgets, there are effective countermeasures you can take to prioritize what appears online. You can work to place the positive boldly at the top and suppress the negative to the bottom fine print.

When assessing Stephanie Rice’s web presence today, it’s obvious that the former Olympian invested in her online reputation management strategy. A search for “Stephanie Rice swimmer” (to distinguish her from the country singer of the same name) brings up an impressive list highlighting the positive aspects of her web presence. 

The top search results include her Instagram photos and videos and positive YouTube video links. The infamous 8-year-old tweet has a new home at the back of the Google search engine results page (SERP). However, it is still there for anyone who wants to dredge it to the surface again.

How to End Your NCAA Career in 280 Characters or Less

Social platforms can be a double-edged sword. And unfortunately, too many young athletes underestimate the lasting impact of their social media posts.

On the one hand, college admissions officers often Google applicants as part of the acceptance process. Having a positive digital footprint on social platforms and beyond can provide a competitive advantage.

On the other hand, indiscriminate posts by carefree, innocently short-sighted high school student-athletes can nip NCAA careers in the bud and the scholarships that come with them.

With social media fails becoming so prevalent among athletes at all levels, colleges are reacting with increased vigilance to reduce their chances of press liability. Administrators are now so sensitive to the issue that the high-school prospect who merely posts to TikTok 16 times a day may be seen as a loose cannon to be avoided because the frequency of posts is considered excessive without even considering the content of them.

That’s similar to what happened to a young quarterback up for a Division 1 scholarship in North Carolina, according to the article Don’t Let One Bad Tweet Ruin an Athlete’s Future.

Be Diligent About What’s Posted Online

High school athletes with a muddy social media trail of cyberbullying and commenting on hot-button topics can post themselves out of consideration. 

For young athletes and students, and their concerned parents, the message is clear: You’re never too young to take personal online reputation management seriously.

Concentrate your efforts on building a positive personal brand. Then, you can gain an advantage in the college admissions process and the competitive world of sports scholarships.

Make ORM the Norm

At Reputation Sciences, we provide the essential online reputation management (ORM) tools you need to control the conversation that’s visible to the ever-expanding online world.

The internet and social media are here to stay. They compile everything you’ve ever done online into the ultimately transparent permanent public record. Smartphones abound, with high-resolution audio- and video-recording capabilities that put George Orwell’s Big Brother to shame. In the web-based world, we’re always on stage, but we don’t always control the spotlight. ORM is the solution to take back that control.

All of us in the digital age are vulnerable to attacks on our online reputations. Whether attacks originate from a self-inflicted lack of experience or those reacting to a perceived injustice, they’re present. As we move up in society, we’re likely to step on a few toes. And we may not be aware of it until the offended party takes their revenge online.

Ex-spouses, disgruntled customers, professional rivals, rogue employees, and truly any individual can scribble all over our public profiles and digital reputation. That tarnishes our indelible worldwide whiteboard, which records every aspect of our online reputations for public consumption. Whether we work in the spotlight or on the local stage, we’re all on the worldwide stage of the digital age.

Contact Us Today

While everything online is permanent, hiding from the digital spotlight is not a viable solution in today’s world. If you don’t control the conversation surrounding your online reputation, someone else will.

Set social media aside for a minute. Even old public records have made the digital transformation from the basement file cabinet to the public internet. Mugshots, court cases, FCC violations, and arrest records are all there waiting for fresh eyes. Anyone can evaluate your public profile for career opportunities or exploitation.

At Reputation Sciences, we have the proprietary technology to protect your personal, professional, and corporate brands with a digital strategy you can count on. Are you ready to take the reins of your online reputation and build a brand that shows you in the best possible light to the world? Don’t hesitate to contact us at (844) 458-6735 for a free consultation.

The post Is Everything on the Internet Permanent? How Your Online History Is a Public Record appeared first on Reputation Sciences.

What Is Reputation as a Psychological Asset?

A psychological asset is a personal resource that contributes to mental resilience, success, and happiness. Angela Duckworth, known for her research on grit and character, emphasizes that certain internal assets can be just as influential as external ones. Reputation is one of those enduring psychological assets—a trait that helps individuals navigate life’s challenges, reflect purpose and meaning, and shape their outcomes across personal and professional domains.

When someone has a strong reputation, they often benefit from increased trust, greater access to resources, and enhanced leadership opportunities. These benefits not only improve their professional success but also enhance their emotional and physical well-being.

The Four Psychological Assets That Shape Reputation

Researchers and psychologists have identified several core traits that shape strong reputations and promote well-being:

1. Hope

Hope fuels resilience, reflecting an individual’s ability to envision and pursue positive outcomes, even in the face of adversity. It plays a vital role in creating a reputation for leadership and optimism.

2. Engagement

Engagement is the level of interest and focus a person applies to their goals, work, and relationships. When others observe consistent engagement, it builds a reputation of reliability and investment.

3. Curiosity

People who cultivate curiosity are more open to new ideas, reflective of diverse perspectives, and tend to play well with others in collaborative settings. This attribute supports a growth-oriented reputation.

4. Meaning

Having a sense of meaning in life and work promotes psychological well-being and encourages others to see you as purposeful and driven. A person perceived as living with purpose often commands more respect and influence.

Together, these four psychological assets support the foundation of a strong reputation, enhancing a person’s mental health, self-worth, and success trajectory.

Why Reputation Matters for Well-Being

The perception others hold of you influences your lifestyle, self-esteem, and even physical health. Positive emotions linked to a strong reputation—such as gratitude, pride, and connection—are essential for happiness. Research in positive psychology suggests that social bonds enhance well-being, and a reputation serves as a key gateway to forming these bonds.

A good reputation can:

• Buffer against psychological threats like isolation or self-doubt
• Help people gain access to leadership roles, resources, and support systems
• Reflect alignment with core values and a sense of identity

In organizational cultures, professionals who are recognized for their trustworthiness and emotional intelligence tend to advance more quickly and experience greater job satisfaction.

How to Cultivate Your Reputation as a Psychological Asset

Reputation is not static. It is built, maintained, and occasionally repaired. With intentional effort, anyone can develop and strengthen it as part of their psychological toolkit.

• Practice Self-Awareness: Understand how others perceive your actions, words, and tone of voice. Self-reflection allows you to create alignment between your intentions and how they’re received.
• Focus on Character: Develop traits like integrity, empathy, and reliability. These characteristics endure and are often the foundation of a respected public image.
• Invest in Positive Relationships: Friends, colleagues, and mentors can serve as both mirrors and amplifiers of your reputation. Engage meaningfully with others and maintain authentic connections.
• Handle Challenges with Grace: Reputation is often shaped during difficult times. Responding to setbacks with maturity and hope reinforces positive perceptions and demonstrates resilience.
• Lead with Values: Your values serve as a compass in both your personal and professional life. Living by them consistently creates a reputation of authenticity and strength.

The Role of Culture and Organizations

Organizational culture plays a significant role in shaping individual reputations. A workplace that values psychological safety, curiosity, and personal growth will encourage employees to develop their reputations through shared values and team-based success.

Companies that understand the importance of reputation as a psychological asset can foster:

• Greater engagement and loyalty
• Reduced burnout and stress
• Increased innovation and collaboration

This results in a workplace where professionals don’t just perform—they thrive.

Final Thoughts: Reputation as a Tool for Resilience

Reputation isn’t just about perception. It’s a reflection of your internal values, psychological attributes, and your engagement with the world. When viewed as a psychological asset, it becomes a tool for enduring success, happiness, and meaning.

By cultivating hope, curiosity, engagement, and purpose, you can shape a reputation that supports your personal well-being and unlocks opportunities that align with your highest goals.

As with all psychological resources, the power lies not only in possessing them but in how you choose to practice, reflect, and grow them in your everyday life.

The post Reputation Is Becoming a Psychological Asset for Professionals appeared first on Reputation Sciences.

Trust is one of the most crucial characteristics a brand can attain. A company can function for a long time if investors, customers, and employees feel they can rely on it to be fair and honest with them.

In recent times, especially post-pandemic, trust is even more important than ever. Modern brands need customer trust in order to avoid scandals and experience growth.

There are different factors to consider when ranking the most trustworthy companies in the world. Key factors include:

• Brand reputation
• Customer service 
• Employee trust
• Ethical business practices
• Investor trust
• Quality level of products and services

This article includes 15 of the most trustworthy companies in the world. Each of these brands is a global leader that’s worked to earn customer trust by focusing on quality and leveraging its digital strategies.

The way you’re perceived online matters. Find out how to create the online reputation you deserve by calling (844) 458-6735 today.

15 of the World’s Most Trustworthy Companies

Most of these trustworthy companies have been around for a long time now, but some are younger than others. Each brand shapes consumer decisions, acts as a global leader in its industry, brings in impressive annual revenue, and maintains trust for the long term.

Do you need help with your digital presence? Call us at (844) 458-6735 for an in-depth audit and valuable insights from an expert.

1. Amazon

This famous online retail giant is well-known for selling practically anything you can think of for the lowest price possible and shipping it to your home in record time. Moreover, Amazon regularly makes changes to how the company runs, including raising the base wage, which has helped it gain employee trust.

2. The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company is one of the most famous, trusted, and well-known companies in the world. This global entertainment and media conglomerate has its headquarters in Burbank, California, and the brand has an incredible and inspiring history.

It is no surprise that Disney is one of the most trustworthy companies in the world. They regularly produce high-quality media and park experiences, appealing to every age group. Focusing on family-friendly entertainment has also helped to gain immense levels of brand trust.

3. Microsoft

Microsoft is a leading developer of digital applications, systems, software, and related technologies. Additionally, the company publishes books and multimedia titles, and it’s considered one of Apple’s top competitors.

It’s no surprise that this software giant is among the most trusted and respected companies in the world. Microsoft has had especially great success with its Surface laptop, Xbox console, and online gaming network, along with its computer software.

4. Sony

Sony is a leading provider of audio and video electronics, along with IT products, which has elevated it to be one of the most trustworthy companies on the planet. Between the company’s history of innovation and solid brand reputation, it’s been an example of maintaining trust with the public over the long term.

Moreover, Sony has become a leading player in the entertainment industry thanks to Sony Music and Sony Pictures. Having such a diverse portfolio, high-quality products, and a commitment to ethical business practices has raised brand trust in a way that other companies can only dream of.

5. Google

Google specializes in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, search engine technology, computer software, online advertising, e-commerce, consumer electronics, and quantum computing.

Considered by many to be not just one of the world’s most trustworthy companies but also the most powerful company in the world, Google has become a household name (and even a verb, in some cases).

The company’s status as a global leader comes from its dominance in the market, its technological advantages, and its leaps forward when it comes to artificial intelligence. 

Get started today with online reputation management or repair. Give us a call at (844) 458-6735 to learn more.

6. Netflix

Netflix is a production company and subscription streaming service with an enormous library of movies and TV series, including many from its own “Netflix Originals.” The brand has played an integral role in independent film distribution, and the company pioneered streaming after creating a DVD mail service.

Netflix is one of the world’s most trustworthy companies in part thanks to its user experience strategy. Offering subscribers an ad-free, convenient and flexible experience speaks to its product quality. Moreover, personalized recommendations show customers that the company is willing to dive deeper to discover what they want.

7. YouTube

YouTube is a social media and online video sharing platform that’s owned by Google. The social media platform also doubles as a powerful search engine, which helps users discover content in a way that other social platforms don’t match.

YouTube is beloved by consumers because of its high functionality, breadth of content, and ability to easily find whatever it is you’re looking for. With subscription options and interactive elements, YouTube is not just among the leading trustworthy companies, but it’s also a standout social platform unlike any other.

8. Target

Target has stores in all 50 states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia, and it’s one of the biggest merchandise retailers today. This general merchandise and food discount store has a solid code of ethics, along with a strong brand identity — the red and white bullseye logo is recognizable around the country.

Target is one of the biggest providers of affordable retail, and convenient shopping options make it even easier to buy what you need. Notably, the layout of Target stores is easy to navigate, no matter which brick-and-mortar location you enter.

9. Patagonia

Patagonia specializes in making outdoor gear, clothing, and footwear for a large number of outdoor sports, including climbing, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, trail running, yoga, surfing, and others.

Their high-quality products and excellent relationships with customers have built immense trust over time. Patagonia also makes efforts to reduce the impact that people have on our planet, including enabling people to trade used Patagonia clothes.

10. Wegmans

Wegmans is one of the most famous supermarket chains in the United States, and the company has high-quality products and reasonable prices. Along with excellent customer service and helpful in-store amenities, Wegmans has built a strong and trustworthy reputation in its niche.

Additionally, Wegmans has created an employee-first culture that prioritizes the well-being and satisfaction of its team members. Workers appreciate the company’s investment in employee development and training, as well as its inclusive and empowering company culture.

11. L.L. Bean

L.L. Bean manufactures high-quality outdoor accessories and clothing, and many of its styles have become classics. One reason why L.L. Bean is among the top trustworthy companies is that it’s always been dedicated to offering expert-level advice and problem-solving for customers. 

Another reason why customers trust L.L. Bean is due to its product quality. Many customers are able to keep and use their L.L. Bean products for several years, which is becoming more and more difficult to find with modern retail companies.

12. Samsung

Samsung is one of the largest companies in the world that specializes in the manufacturing of electronic devices and related equipment. It produces a wide range of consumer and industry electronics such as appliances, digital media devices, semiconductors, memory chips, and integrated systems.

Samsung is also well-known for its wide range of smartphones and TVs, as well as leading design and innovation. They’ve managed to remain among the globe’s trustworthy companies thanks to a track record of selling high-quality products.

13. Publix

Publix is one of the fastest-growing supermarket chains in the U.S. and holds an excellent reputation among its customers. They are one of the most respected companies in their industry, too, and they’re well-known for having affordable prices and high-quality products.

Publix stores are known for being well-maintained and having helpful, friendly employees. The company also gets involved in local community efforts through donations, sponsorships and volunteering.

14. The Home Depot

As one of the world’s largest home improvement retailers, The Home Depot has maintained excellent relationships with shareholders, communities, customers, and associates. In addition to in-store products, The Home Depot is also known for offering in-store classes and getting involved in community projects. 

The Home Depot’s wide product assortment has helped it build customer trust. Both DIY enthusiasts and professional contractors head to The Home Depot when they need to purchase products. The large selection offered in-store has created one-stop shops for anything you could possibly need in the home renovation space.

15. UPS

UPS is a package transportation and supply chain company, and its sister company, The UPS Store, handles shipping, printing, packing and similar in-store services. Customers consider UPS a leader in its field thanks to a broad range of flexible shipping options and a reliable tracking system. 

Deliveries are known for being timely, whether they’re being shipped domestically or internationally, and the company has also made strides to be more environmentally conscious. UPS also has a highly recognizable brand, and its customer-centric approach includes helpful online tools and convenient shipping options.

Build a Trustworthy Company of Your Own With Professional ORM Services

Are you ready to count yourself among the public and private companies in America with the most brand trust? Whether you want to showcase your ethical business practices, increase your annual revenue or influence media sentiment about your brand, it’s possible with ORM services.

At ReputationSciences.com, we work with clients who need to create, grow or fix their digital reputation. Through our parent company, NetReputation, we offer ad management, local SEO, review monitoring, content removal and more. Our strategy includes auditing, repair, monitoring and management, and our services will be customized to your needs.

Contact us at (844) 458-6735 for more information about becoming the most trusted company in your niche.

The post What’s the Most Trusted Company in the World? These Brands Compete for the Top appeared first on Reputation Sciences.

Many people don’t realize that unwanted search results can damage someone’s personal life or company. New articles show up online daily, and many of them have been on the internet for many years. If online articles include targeted negative information about an individual or company, they can potentially destroy someone’s life, business or both.

Years after a blog post, video, or article is published on a web page, it can still have very destructive effects. Right now, you’re probably wondering how you can remove negative articles and content from Google searches and other online sources like YouTube and social media channels.

In this article, we’ll discuss processes and methods for removing negative news articles and other content from Google searches, especially regarding defamatory or fake information.

Do you need help to remove negative news articles from search engines? Call us at (844) 458-6735 for an in-depth audit and valuable insights from an online reputation expert.

An Overview of Removing Negative Articles From the Search Engine Results Page

Once you do a Google search for your brand name, you may notice a lot of negative content on the internet associated with you or your brand. At that moment, you may think that the easiest option is to give up and remove all of your information from the internet.

That’s not always possible, though. Much of the information in Google Search comes from public sources. It’s difficult to find whoever’s responsible for posting the information and convince them to take it down. And Google needs a compelling reason to remove search results from its database.

If search results go against Google’s Terms of Service, most of the time, the damaging and negative content can be blocked from the search engine results page in some way. However, in many situations, content cannot be deleted from search results, and you’ll need to use a different approach to sort it out.

One of the best approaches is the reverse SEO method. With this method, all negative results that appear in Google Search can be suppressed, pushed down, and removed from the first search engine results page (SERP).

Deleting Google Results and Alternative Options

It’s a very difficult and time-consuming process to remove negative search results from the internet. Because of the internet’s viral nature and content-removal policies, even negative search results cannot disappear entirely.

For all the negative content that cannot disappear, though, there are approaches that you can take to essentially hide the information from users. A critical reputation management strategy is content suppression, also known as reverse SEO.

This method of suppressing negative Google search results is highly effective. It pushes negative content off the first Google search page and down to the second page (at least). Only a small percentage of people look there.

As we’ve mentioned, some negative search results cannot be removed or deleted unless they are in violation of Google policies. In this case, your next best option is to create new and fresh content that will rise above negative results appearing on Google.

Do You Need To Remove Negative Articles From Google?

It can be a real challenge to decide on the right approach and online reputation management strategy for removing negative articles from the internet.

Unfortunately, online reputation management (ORM) is often ignored until the last moment. Reputation work is commonly pushed back until you find yourself in the middle of some scandal.

If you wait to take proactive measures mid-scandal, it’ll likely be too late, as you’ll already be in the middle of an online reputation mess. Instead, take a preventative approach to avoid the problem in the first place. At the same time, have a plan of action in place so you know exactly what to do should a PR crisis arise.

The most important thing is to keep calm and try to understand the problem. Then, make a detailed plan to sort out the problem swiftly and lessen the impact of the situation.

This will be your first step when dealing with negative results on the internet. You will need to understand, identify, and try to resolve the problem that created the negative feedback in the first place.

You should also take some time to understand what happened and what caused the negative feedback. Once you determine the problem, you will be able to make the necessary changes to prevent similar situations from happening again.

Don’t wait — get started today with online reputation management or repair. Give us a call at (844) 458-6735 to learn more.

The Importance of Google Search Results

Every problem on the internet has a starting point. For example, a serious online reputation problem can begin with a single bad review, article, or blog post directed at an individual or business.

Once you are mentioned in a negative context on the internet, those search results go hand in hand with your name. Users won’t even have to look past the first SERP to make a snap judgment about you or your brand.

Search engines like Google match the keywords you use to perform a search with the information stored in their databases. In seconds, Google can find precise information to help you access the search results you’re after.

Right now, you must be wondering what happens when potential customers or hiring managers Google your name or the name of your business. If negative search engine results show up first, their ability to trust you or their willingness to work with you will decrease a lot.

Removing Negative Search Results Benefits You and Your Business

We’ve already mentioned many reasons why you should remove negative results from Google searches. Right now, we’ll focus on some numbers and statistics so you can better understand how much negative articles can impact your business.

When people (potential customers) Google your name, what they see online will impact their perception. Do you wonder what impact will be left on people if they see negative content when they search for your brand name or company?

Here are a few eye-opening stats to consider:

• The top organic result in Google Search is 10x more likely to be clicked than the No. 10 result, and it has an average click-through rate (CTR) of 27.6%.
• Less than 1% of users click on a result on the second SERP, which means most users stay on the first results page.
• Over 93% of online shoppers read reviews before making an online purchase.
• 36% of consumers use two review sites when researching local businesses, and 41% use at least three sites.

Moreover, studies found that very few people will purchase from a company if negative reviews show up on the SERP.

At this point, you probably have a much better understanding of why people, brands, and companies want to learn how to remove negative content from Google searches.

What Is Negative Content Suppression?

The process of creating content that will rank high on SERPs and outrank and bury negative search results is called negative content suppression. The main goal of suppression is to remove brand-related negative articles, content, videos and other search results from the first Google results page.

We already mentioned that a very low percentage of people will click beyond the first page of Google results. Suppressing negative search results serves to push negative content off the first page. This prevents a majority of users from finding it.

Learn more about how we remove negative reviews from Google here.

Suppressing Negative Results on Google

We know you won’t be happy if you find something bad written about you or your company online. Because of situations like this, people often wonder about suppression tactics. They want to learn how to suppress or remove negative articles from Google search results.

It’s very common for companies to come across bad content or negative reviews at one point or another. At times, business owners will feel that the feedback or coverage is inaccurate and does not reflect their brand or products. 

In these cases, their main goal is to have the information removed from the internet completely. Unfortunately, that’s not often a possibility.

Unless you can prove that the content violates Google’s policies, the search engine is unlikely to remove negative articles, poor reviews or other types of negative results from the database.

For negative search results that cannot be deleted or removed from the internet, there is another option. You can hire an ORM and search engine optimization professional who knows how to apply suppression tactics.

Often, suppressing negative content online involves the following steps:

• Building a personal website and/or professional site where you can post regular content that you own and have full control over.
• Promote your new website and the content you create so that it climbs in search rankings.
• Link all of your owned websites with your social media accounts.

From 24-hour monitoring to upscale content and personal website creation, our team of ORM experts can help you create the online presence you deserve. Contact us at (844) 458-6735 for more information.

Content Suppression Steps

Interested in suppressing negative information online to protect your brand’s digital reputation? Here are the basic steps that ORM professionals take for content suppression.

Find the Phrases That Trigger Negative Content

It’s common to look for positive keyword phrases and search results related to your company on the first page of Google results. For suppression, though, you’ll need to seek out negative search results instead.

Once you’ve found the phrases and content that are harming your reputation, you’ll know exactly where to focus your efforts.

Boost Positive Results in Google

After you’ve identified all the negative information appearing on the top search results pages, you’ll need to start optimizing your own content so it appears higher on Google search results pages.

For this process, you’ll need to use SEO tactics such as link building and keyword targeting to optimize your content so it can outrank bad results.

Create Fresh SEO Content

In addition to optimizing existing content, you’ll want to create fresh content on a regular basis. Focus on developing new blog posts and social media posts that will get top billing on the SERP. If needed, set up new websites and social media profiles so you have several options for where to post your content.

Track Your Progress

After you have successfully completed the previous steps, you’ll need to spend some time tracking your progress. Be sure to monitor the keywords or search terms that you are trying to rank to see if they are getting the desired results.

Meanwhile, you’ll also want to keep track of negative search results and check regularly to see if they’re moving down. The best outcome for you will be when negative results fall from the first Google search page to the following pages.

Removing Negative Results From Websites You Don’t Own

Unfortunately, most negative information about you or your brand will be published on websites that you don’t control. This can make it especially hard to have it taken down. Here are the steps to take to see if the website owner or Google will remove the information.

Find the Original Source and Third-Party Sources

Initially, you must locate the source that originally posted the harmful content. Then, track down other sources that picked up the original information and posted it online.

To monitor future mentions of your brand online, you can use a free tool like Google Alerts. That way, even if you have negative information removed, you’ll know right away if it pops back up online in the future.

Directly Contact the Website Owner

Once you find the main source of the information, you can contact the webmaster. Not able to find the website owner’s contact information on the site itself? Check the ICANN database, which provides registration data for websites. 

We suggest that you remain calm and ask politely if the negative information related to your business can be removed. If the content violates the website’s policies, point that out.

If the posted information uses facts, the web owner is not obligated to remove it. Because of that, you should be polite and try to explain why that harmful content should be removed.

If the webmaster refuses to remove the negative information, ask them to add a no-index tag to the content instead. While this won’t remove the content, it will signal to Google that it shouldn’t include the content in search results. You can also ask that they remove your name or your brand name from the content and replace it with a more generic description.

Always remember that this method is for removing bad content from third-party websites. You shouldn’t contact Google in situations like this. Google does not create content and is not responsible for negative information posted online.

Keep Proof of the Conversation

When you’re having a conversation with the webmaster, always remember to take screenshots. If things get more serious, you must have records of the exchange. For example, if you decide to take legal action against someone, having screenshots can significantly help you win your case.

Report Web Content That Violates Google’s Policies

Any website that violates Google’s rules and publishes defamatory or vindictive content — or that gives away sensitive personal information about someone — can be reported to Google. Learn more about reporting content to Google here.

Final Thoughts About Reverse SEO and Your Online Reputation

Do you have negative Google search results, defamatory comments, or bad reviews about your company online? You probably want to remove them completely from the internet. Since this isn’t an option in most cases, you can at least take steps to remove negative results from the first page of Google.

After you decide that the suppression method is your best option for dealing with negative comments on the internet, creating high-quality SEO content will be the key factor for your success. This process will require competition research, keyword research, and other techniques. You also may need to invest in software.

By removing negative search results from the internet, you’ll break the links that associate your business with those bad reviews or comments. Best of all, the high-quality content you create will not only push down bad content, but it can also be a great boost for your business. 

The way you’re perceived online matters, and a poor online reputation can damage your personal life and your professional opportunities.

Find out how to create the online reputation you deserve by calling our ORM professionals at (844) 458-6735 today.

The post How To Remove Negative Content From Google Search appeared first on Reputation Sciences.

To overcome these challenges, understanding and embracing ethical reputation is key. It refers to the perception of trustworthiness, honesty, and ethical behavior. Elements of an ethical reputation blueprint include transparent communication, consistent ethical conduct, accountability, sustainability, and social responsibility. Prioritizing these aspects helps build trust and credibility, ensuring long-term success. This approach involves aligning actions with ethics, open communication, and a social and environmental responsibility commitment.

The Importance of Building Trust

The importance of building trust is crucial in today’s skeptical society. It improves relationships, enhances credibility, and promotes collaboration. Trust is the foundation for successful partnerships and business ventures. It fosters loyalty and provides a competitive edge. Without trust, it becomes difficult to achieve long-term success.

Why is trust essential in today’s society?

In today’s society, trust is essential for various reasons. It fosters stronger relationships, enables effective collaboration, and encourages social stability. Trust empowers individuals to rely on one another, making day-to-day interactions smoother and more productive. Trust is the foundation of successful businesses and organizations, as it attracts loyal customers, motivated employees, and supportive stakeholders. Society would struggle to function harmoniously without trust in key practices, hindering progress and growth.

How does trust affect businesses and organizations?

Trust is a fundamental element that greatly impacts businesses and organizations. It is critical to nurture customer loyalty, enhance brand reputation against bad business practices, and boost employee morale. When trust is firmly established, it results in improved customer retention rates, increased sales, and positive word-of-mouth referrals. Moreover, trust allows businesses to forge robust partnerships and collaborations, attracting numerous growth opportunities. Remarkably, a recent study highlighted that companies with high levels of trust outperform their competitors by an impressive margin of 186%. Trust is the sturdy foundation for long-term success in the dynamic realm of business and organizations.

The Current Age of Skepticism

In the present era of skepticism, trust becomes more challenging to acquire. Individuals exhibit more doubt and wariness, scrutinizing assertions and actively pursuing substantiating proof. To establish trust and credibility, businesses must emphasize transparency, ethical approaches, and consistent communication. Forming robust connections and fulfilling commitments are vital in gaining trust.

What are the reasons behind the prevailing skepticism?

Various reasons fuel the skepticism among people. These reasons include dishonesty from businesses and institutions, lack of transparency, and the rise of misinformation. In today’s world, where trust is paramount, the prevalence of industry skepticism emphasizes the importance for organizations to prioritize ethical behavior and open communication if they want to rebuild trust with their stakeholders.

How has the rise of misinformation contributed to skepticism?

The rise of misinformation has significantly contributed to skepticism in society. How has the rise of misinformation contributed to skepticism? With the spread of false information through various platforms, people have become more distrustful of the information and services they receive. This has led to questioning the motives and credibility of individuals, businesses, and organizations, further fueling skepticism.

Understanding Ethical Reputation

Understanding ethical reputation is of utmost importance in today’s skeptical society. It encompasses comprehending the values and actions of a company, along with their impact on society and their negative environmental consequences. Transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct are essential elements that foster trust and nurture a positive reputation. Companies should actively engage with stakeholders, prioritize sustainability practices, and uphold strong ethical standards in every aspect of their business operations to foster an understanding of ethical reputation.

What does ethical reputation mean?

Ethical reputation refers to the perception and evaluation of an individual, organization, or business based on their adherence and compliance to ethical principles and values. It signifies how trustworthy and morally responsible they are in their actions and decision-making processes. A strong ethical reputation is built on transparency, consistent ethical behavior, accountability, sustainability, and social responsibility.

How is ethical reputation different from traditional reputation?

Ethical reputation sets itself apart from traditional reputation by emphasizing transparent communication, consistent ethical behavior, accountability, responsibility, sustainability, and social responsibility. How is ethical reputation different from traditional reputation? Unlike traditional reputation, it places a premium on trust-building through integrity and ethical practices, which may depend on popularity or profit.

Key Elements of an Ethical Reputation Blueprint

Building trust in today’s skeptical world requires a well-crafted ethical reputation blueprint.

Transparent Communication

Transparent communication is a crucial element in building an ethical reputation. It involves maintaining open and truthful communication with stakeholders, clearly conveying information, promptly addressing any questions or concerns raised by stakeholders, and ensuring that messages align with actions and values.

Consistent Ethical Behavior

Consistent ethical behavior is paramount in establishing and preserving an ethical reputation. It entails the unwavering adherence to ethical principles and values throughout all business operations. Organizations can build trust with their stakeholders by consistently demonstrating integrity, honesty, and fairness.

This commitment to ethical behavior strengthens the company’s reputation, fosters a positive work culture, and boosts employee morale. Some instances of consistent ethical behavior include fulfilling commitments, treating employees equitably, and maintaining transparency in financial transactions.

Accountability and Responsibility

• Accountability: An essential aspect of an ethical reputation blueprint, holding businesses and organizations responsible for their actions and decisions. Businesses must demonstrate accountability and take responsibility for their actions and decisions, ensuring they are accountable to their stakeholders and society.
• Responsibility: Demonstrating a commitment to ethical practices, taking ownership of their actions’ impact on stakeholders and society. Businesses and organizations must act responsibly, considering the consequences of their actions and making ethical decisions.
• Transparency: Openly sharing information about decision-making processes, actions, and outcomes, fostering trust and allowing stakeholders to hold organizations accountable. Transparency is a key component of accountability and responsibility, as it enables stakeholders to access the necessary information to ensure that organizations act responsibly.
• Ethical standards: Establishing clear guidelines and principles that guide behavior and decision-making, ensuring accountability and responsible actions. Ethical standards provide a framework for businesses to act with accountability and responsibility, providing guidelines to guide their actions and decisions.
• Ethical leadership: Cultivating leaders who prioritize accountability and responsibility, setting a positive example for employees and stakeholders. Ethical leadership plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of accountability and responsibility within an organization, with leaders serving as role models for responsible behavior.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility

• Sustainability: Choose bottled water brands that prioritize sustainability by using environmentally friendly packaging materials and engaging in eco-friendly practices.
• Social Responsibility: Look for brands that actively support social causes and contribute to local communities through initiatives like clean water projects or education programs.

Building Trust Through Ethical Reputation

Companies must emphasize transparency, integrity, and accountability to build trust through creating an ethical reputation. This involves clear communication of their values and ethical practices, coupled with the consistent delivery of promises. Furthermore, fostering responsible actions and promoting open stakeholder dialogue is essential for long-term success.

How can businesses and organizations use ethical reputation to build trust?

Transparency, consistent ethical behavior, accountability, and sustainability are key elements that businesses and organizations can cultivate to build trust through ethical reputation. They can establish trust with consumers and stakeholders by openly communicating their values and actions, consistently behaving ethically, taking responsibility for any mistakes, and demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

The Benefits of an Ethical Reputation Blueprint

• Trust and Credibility: An ethical reputation blueprint establishes trustworthiness and credibility in the eyes of customers and stakeholders.
• Customer Loyalty cultivates strong customer loyalty by demonstrating a commitment to ethical business practices.
• Competitive Advantage: Companies with an ethical reputation blueprint gain a competitive edge over market competitors.

How can an ethical reputation positively impact businesses?

• Builds Trust: A strong ethical reputation fosters trust among customers, investors, and employees, which is key to the success of any business.
• Enhances Customer Loyalty: Businesses that have earned an ethical reputation are more likely to attract and retain loyal customers who appreciate the company’s commitment to ethical practices.
• Improves Brand Image: An ethical reputation helps establish a positive brand image, setting the business apart from its competitors and giving it a unique selling point.
• Attracts Top Talent: Companies known for their ethical practices are often sought after by job seekers, attracting high-caliber employees who value ethical principles.
• Reduces Risks: Businesses with a strong ethical reputation are less susceptible to legal and reputational risks as they prioritize conducting business ethically and responsibly.

What are the long-term advantages of building trust through ethical reputation?

Building trust through ethical reputation offers lasting benefits such as increased customer loyalty, repeat business, and positive word-of-mouth referrals. It also serves as a magnet for top talent, as ethical organizations tend to attract and retain the best employees.

Moreover, it facilitates robust partnerships and collaborations, as other businesses prefer and benefit from working with trustworthy and ethical counterparts. To establish trust through ethical reputation, businesses should emphasize transparent communication, consistent ethical behavior, accountability, responsibility, and sustainability.

The post Ethical Reputation Blueprint: Building Trust in an Age of Skepticism appeared first on Reputation Sciences.

It also discusses the risks of focusing solely on reputation and offers guidance on evaluating character in a business context, emphasizing traits like honesty, integrity, and effective communication.

Understanding the importance of character helps entrepreneurs and professionals make informed decisions, nurture relationships, build credibility, and uphold ethical standards.

The Difference Between Character and Reputation

Character and reputation may seem similar, but they have distinct differences. Character, which refers to a person’s values, ethics, and integrity, is internal and long-lasting.

On the other hand, reputation is how others perceive a person and can be influenced by external factors.

Emphasizing honesty and kindness is crucial for prioritizing character over reputation. Surrounding oneself with individuals who value character rather than just reputation is also crucial.

A positive reputation will naturally follow by focusing on building a strong character.

Why Choosing Character Leads to Business Success

When achieving business success, one crucial factor often overlooked is choosing character.

Building Trust and Credibility

Building trust and credibility is crucial for businesses. To achieve this, they should consistently deliver on promises and commitments, communicate openly and honestly with customers and stakeholders, and provide high-quality products and services. Meeting and exceeding customer expectations are also important.

Apple is a great company that has built trust and credibility. They have accomplished this by consistently releasing innovative and reliable products, resulting in a loyal customer base.

Creating Strong Relationships

• Create Strong Relationships: Prioritize trust, empathy, collaboration, reliability, and investment in building connections.
• Building Trust: Foster trust through open communication and delivering on promises.
• Showing Empathy: Understand and address the needs and concerns of others.
• Investing in Relationships: Allocate time and resources to build and maintain connections.
• Collaboration: Encourage teamwork and cooperation to achieve shared goals.
• Being Reliable: Consistently follow through on commitments and deadlines.

To create strong business relationships, prioritize trust, empathy, collaboration, reliability, and investment in building connections. By cultivating these qualities, businesses can foster long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationships with clients, partners, and employees.

Maintaining Ethical Standards

Several key practices should be implemented to maintain ethical standards within a business organization.

This includes adhering to established codes of conduct, which serve as guiding principles for ethical behavior.

Regularly providing ethical training and education to employees helps reinforce these standards and ensures that all team members know and align with the company’s moral values.

Additionally, establishing open communication channels for reporting ethical concerns is crucial, as it encourages transparency and allows for the timely resolution of any moral issues.

Promoting ethical behavior through incentives and rewards can motivate employees to prioritize ethics in their decision-making.

Lastly, implementing monitoring and auditing mechanisms to ensure adherence to ethical standards helps maintain a culture of ethical integrity within the organization, ultimately contributing to its long-term success and good reputation.

The Risks of Prioritizing Reputation Over Character

In business, prioritizing reputation over character poses significant risks. While it may seem beneficial in the short term, there can be long-term consequences.

One potential outcome is a lack of authenticity, which can ultimately damage the business’s reputation.

To avoid these risks, it is crucial to assess past actions, observe consistency in values, and look for accountability when evaluating character in business.

By focusing on these aspects, businesses can minimize the potential negative effects of prioritizing reputation over character.

Short-term Gains, Long-term Consequences

Chasing short-term gains can yield quick benefits but may result in negative long-term repercussions, including a false sense of success, compromised values, damaged relationships, and hindered character development.

Prioritizing character development, ethical choices, and long-term sustainability is essential to avoid these detrimental consequences and ensure lasting business success.

Lack of Authenticity

In the business world, a lack of authenticity can result in strained relationships, a loss of trust, and damage to the business’s reputation.

Prioritizing character over reputation is crucial to avoiding the risks associated with putting on a facade. By embracing authenticity, genuine connections are fostered, leading to long-term success.

Damage to Business Reputation

Damage to a business’s reputation is a serious matter that can have significant consequences. It can result in customer loss, a decrease in trust, and negative word of mouth.

One prime illustration of this is the infamous Volkswagen emission scandal in 2015. Consequently, the company’s reputation was severely impacted, leading to substantial financial penalties amounting to billions of dollars and a notable decline in sales.

How to Evaluate Character in Business

Deciding who to trust in the business world can be challenging, but mastering the art of evaluating character is the key to success.

Assessing Past Actions

Assessing past actions is of utmost importance when determining an individual or company’s character in the business realm. It is vital to examine their track record for indicators of honesty, ethical behavior, and responsible decision-making.

How an individual navigates challenges and conflicts provides valuable insights into their true character.

Observing Consistency in Values

Evaluating character in business relies on observing the consistency of one’s values, which is essential for trust-building.

This consistency manifests through aligning words and actions over time, demonstrating reliability, integrity, and a solid moral compass.

Conversely, inconsistent values can breed confusion and distrust within the business environment.

Looking for Accountability

When looking for accountability in business, one must consider the importance of accountability. Here are some ways to evaluate accountability:

• Review past actions and decisions to assess how accountable individuals have been in their work.
• Observe consistency in values and the willingness to take responsibility for one’s actions.
• Look for individuals who prioritize open and honest communication, owning up to mistakes when they occur.

By prioritizing accountability, businesses can foster a culture of responsibility and integrity, leading to long-term success.

Developing and Demonstrating Strong Character in Business

Developing and demonstrating strong character in business is crucial for success.

Honesty and Transparency

Honesty and transparency in business promote trust, loyalty, and ethical standards. It means being open about actions, decisions, and intentions.

For example, Patagonia’s culture of honesty and transparency is evident in its transparent supply chain and commitment to sustainable practices, which have built a loyal customer base. By prioritizing honesty and transparency, Patagonia fosters a sense of authenticity and accountability, ultimately enhancing its reputation.

Integrity in Decision-Making

Integrity in decision-making is crucial for the success of any business. It necessitates making thoughtful choices that align with ethical standards and the company’s long-term interests.

Businesses can foster a reputation built on trustworthy leadership and principled decision-making by thoroughly considering the implications for all stakeholders and steadfastly upholding core values.

Respectful and Effective Communication

Respectful and effective communication is crucial in business to promote positive relationships, avoid conflicts, and encourage collaboration. It entails actively listening, expressing thoughts clearly, and showing empathy.

By practicing respectful and effective communication, businesses can boost productivity, foster trust, and enhance overall performance.

Exercise active listening and carefully select your words to ensure your message is delivered respectfully and clearly.

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