How to get negative search results removed

Major search engines like Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, etc. index a vast amount of information from the internet, and unfortunately, this can include negative information about individuals or businesses. Here are some types of negative information that can appear in search results and damage the online reputation of individuals and businesses.

What types of negative search results can be removed?

Defamatory content: This might include false information designed to harm a person's reputation, such as untrue statements or allegations.
Negative reviews or complaints: For businesses, negative reviews or complaints from customers can be damaging. Even for individuals, reviews or comments on professional or social sites can sometimes be negative and hurtful.
Legal issues: Information about legal troubles or convictions can often be found online, especially if the matter was reported in the news.
Unflattering news stories: Media coverage about a person or a business is often picked up by search engines. If the coverage is negative, it can harm the person's or business's reputation.
Personal information: Sometimes, personal information that a person would rather keep private can be found online. This might include address details, phone numbers, or other sensitive information.
Old or outdated information: Information that is no longer relevant or accurate can still appear in search results and potentially create a negative impression, damaging the reputations of people and businesses.
Negative social media content: Negative posts, images or videos on social media platforms can also appear in search results.
Inappropriate content: This could include anything from embarrassing photos or videos to explicit content, such as revenge pornography, or offensive material.
Hacked content: If your website or account has been hacked and altered with malicious intent, that negative information might appear in search results.

Remember, managing your online reputation is crucial in this digital age. Regularly check what information about you or your business is available online and take action if necessary to protect your internet reputation.

Strategies to Remove Negative Search Results

Removing negative search results from the Internet can be a challenging task since it often involves dealing with multiple entities and laws that may vary from country to country. Here are some general steps you might consider:

Contact the website owner: If the information is posted on a specific website, you can try reaching out to the owner or webmaster of that site to request removal of the content. Be polite and clear in your communication about why you want the information removed.
Contact the search engine: If the website owner doesn’t respond or refuses to remove the content, you can appeal to the search engine itself. Google, for example, has a policy for removing certain types of sensitive personal information. However, keep in mind that search engines don't own the data on the web, they just index it, so they typically remove listings only in specific circumstances, such as when the content is illegal or violates their policies.
Legal action: If the content is defamatory, false, or violates any laws (such as copyright laws), you may consider seeking legal advice. In some cases, you might be able to have a lawyer issue a cease-and-desist order or even take the matter to court.
Online reputation management: Sometimes, it's not possible to get content removed, especially if it's not illegal or against a site's policies. In these cases, you might consider online reputation management (ORM). This involves strategies to promote positive or neutral content about you or your company, with the goal of pushing the negative search results lower in the rankings so they're less likely to be seen. This can be done through creating new content, optimizing your social media profiles, or even hiring an ORM company to help.
Right to be forgotten: In the European Union, you can invoke the "Right to Be Forgotten" law, which is designed to allow individuals to request the deletion of personal information. If you're not in the EU, this law may not apply, but it might be worth investigating whether there are similar laws in your country.

Remember that the process can take time, and there's no guarantee of success. This is especially true without the help of a professional online reputation management company. Always be careful about who you share your personal information with, and be proactive in managing your online reputation to prevent negative information from appearing in the first place.