How To Remove Online Defamation
Frankie Lee • June 30, 2020
Are you—and your business—suffering the effects of online defamation?
Defamation is the spreading of false information to someone other than who the information is about. In the online world, this is very easy to do. Anyone with an internet connection can create a blog and post false information. And then spread that information through social media channels, or use the social media channels to post and spread the defamatory content.
Defamation with the written word or other forms of media is known as libel. This is different from the spoken variety which is slander. And it has led to the question: where does freedom of expression end and libel begin?
Freedom of expression or libel?
Legally speaking, the difference between expressing an opinion and libel is not altogether straightforward. With the proliferation of media distribution channels online, policing them all is difficult. Not to mention arguing freedom of expression against libel can, in some cases, raise issues.
However, in simplistic terms it comes down to a basic question: does anyone have the right to ruin someone’s reputation with false, misleading and/or salacious content? Can an individual or group hide behind the idea of freedom of expression to ruin someone?
The answer is no. At least as far as the law is concerned.
For many of us, our online reputation is inextricably linked with our offline reputation. How we are seen online can impact our lives in a big way.
More than ever prospective employers, sponsors and business partners are taking notice of our online presence. And judging us on how we appear online.
You have a legal right to remove defamatory content
If the content posted is deemed defamatory, you have the right to ask for its removal. After all, why should someone be allowed to harm your reputation with malicious lies?
Content Removal has already helped a client who was losing sponsorship deals because of defamatory content. Our team was able to remove the content and improve her online presence by removing a roadblock in her career.
Is someone sharing false information about you?
Content Removal can help remove online defamation. Contact our team to start protecting your business or personal brand.
Defamation — Quick Questions
What is social media defamation?
The line between freedom of speech and defamation is a fine one and knowing which side is which is crucial to any individual or company with a social media presence. While a disgruntled customer is entitled to leave a negative review on a social media site, if they make untrue claims about the product or service or are personally threatening towards any of the employees, this is defamation.
How can an online reputation management company help?
A company specialising in online reputation management, like Content Removal, have a few tricks up their sleeves when it comes to social media defamation. Not only can they help you use the correct channels to deal with the problem, they can also assist in the production of positive content that can help to lessen the repercussions of the defamatory post. They can also give you some non-legal advice about the best course of action.
Can defamatory social media comments be removed?
In most instances, removing the offending comment is a straightforward process. On some social media platforms, such as Twitter, the process can be a little more complex which is why using a reputable online reputation management company can be very useful, especially when the comment is particularly damning. Not all defamatory comments are libellous but expert advice will go a long way to resolving the problem, regardless of its severity.
What can I do if someone defames me on social media?
As social media defamation is hurtful and damaging to your reputation, you’ll most likely feel angry and upset by a defamatory post. Try not to respond in the heat of the moment, however, and take your time to compile a polite and constructive response to the accusations. Contact the commenter and the website where the comment has been posted and ask if they’re willing to remove the post. In most instances, you won’t have to take any further action.
What happens if I accidentally defame someone on social media?
Sometimes we’re not even aware that we’ve made a defamatory comment until after we’ve hit the ‘post’ button. Unfortunately, ignorance doesn’t make you innocent. The first step is to remove the comment and you may even choose to print an apology in its place. Even if you didn’t make the original comment but merely shared someone else’s post, you can still be libel for its contents so think before you share and consider whether the content is harmful before you commit.
Do you provide legal advice?
The information on this site is not a substitute for legal advice. If you are unsure of your legal rights regarding potentially defamatory content about you online, please consult a lawyer.
Introduction: Why Google Results Control Your Reputation When people want to learn about you or your business, they don’t ask you directly — they Google you. A single search result can mean the difference between: Winning or losing a client. Closing or missing an investment deal. Being trusted or being doubted. In today’s world, Google is your first impression. And when negative content shows up — whether it’s a bad review, a defamatory article, or an embarrassing old post — it can feel like your reputation is being hijacked. That’s why millions of people search for terms like “remove content from Google” or “delete Google results.” The problem? Google doesn’t make it easy. This guide gives you a step-by-step framework to understand your options, protect your name, and take back control. Step 1: Understand What Google Can (and Can’t) Do Before learning how to remove Google search results, it’s crucial to understand how Google works. Google doesn’t own the content: It simply indexes web pages published on other sites. Two main strategies exist: Remove at the source (delete the content where it was published). Remove from Google’s index (de-index it so it won’t show in search results). 👉 If the content is deleted at the source, Google will automatically update. But if it remains live, you’ll need to request a removal from Google (which only applies in specific cases). Step 2: Identify the Type of Negative Content Different types of harmful results require different strategies. Let’s break them down: 1. Defamation False statements that harm your personal or business reputation. Example: A blogger writes that you scammed clients without evidence. 2. Copyright Infringement Someone stole your images, text, or videos. Example: A competitor copies your website and publishes it. 3. Personal Information Exposure Doxxing, revenge porn, or exposure of addresses, phone numbers, bank accounts. Example: A forum publishes your private details. 4. Fake Reviews or Complaints Competitors or anonymous attackers leave fake reviews. Example: 1-star Google Business reviews from accounts that never used your service. 5. Negative Press or News Coverage News articles, blogs, or opinion pieces that damage your reputation. Example: An old article resurfaces about a legal dispute, even after it’s resolved. Step 3: Attempt Removal at the Source (Most Effective) The gold standard is to delete the content where it lives. How to Remove at the Source: Find contact information: Look for a “Contact Us” page. Use WHOIS lookup if the owner is private. Request removal politely: Be professional and clear. Explain why it should be removed (e.g., false, outdated, violating rights). Escalate legally if needed: Send a legal demand letter. File a DMCA takedown for copyright. Engage an attorney if it’s defamatory. 💡 Pro Tip: When content is deleted at the source, it’s the fastest and cleanest solution. Google will automatically remove it when it re-crawls the site. Step 4: File a Removal Request with Google If source removal isn’t possible, your next option is Google’s own removal tools. Google Offers Removals For: Outdated Content Tool: If the page is deleted but still shows in search. Legal Removal Requests: For defamation (in certain jurisdictions), copyright, and sensitive personal info. Revenge Porn & Explicit Imagery: Google prioritizes urgent takedowns for non-consensual media. Financial or ID Information: Bank details, ID numbers, or hacked data. 👉 Submit requests via Google’s Content Removal page . Be aware: Google will not remove content simply because it is negative. It must violate a policy or law. Step 5: Suppress Results When Removal Isn’t Possible Some content simply cannot be removed — for example, accurate news articles or protected opinions. In those cases, the strategy shifts to suppression. What Suppression Means: Suppression = pushing negative results off page one by ranking positive, optimized content above them. Suppression Tactics: SEO for owned assets: Optimize your website, blog, and social media profiles. Content creation: Publish articles, press releases, interviews, YouTube videos, podcasts. High-authority platforms: Build LinkedIn, Crunchbase, Medium, Quora, and other strong profiles. PR & media coverage: Secure features that rank in Google News and top publications. Since over 90% of users never click past page one, pushing harmful content to page two makes it practically invisible. Step 6: Ongoing Monitoring and Protection Reputation management is not a one-time fix. New threats can appear anytime. How to Stay Protected: Set Google Alerts for your name or brand. Track reviews across Google, Trustpilot, SiteJabber, etc. Use professional monitoring services to get alerts and immediate takedown action. At ContentRemoval.com, we provide continuous monitoring and monthly removal services so you’re never blindsided by sudden attacks. Step 7: When to Hire a Professional Some removals are straightforward. Others — like fighting with major news publishers, suppressing viral Reddit threads, or negotiating with review platforms — require expert intervention. Professional content removal experts can: Navigate Google’s complex policies. File successful DMCA, defamation, and privacy removals. Negotiate directly with publishers. Combine legal, SEO, and PR strategies into one solution. If your reputation, business revenue, or peace of mind is at stake, hiring a professional is the fastest, most reliable way to protect yourself. Case Studies (Proof Section) Case Study 1: Entrepreneur Attacked Online Problem: 42 defamatory blog posts damaging credibility. Solution: ContentRemoval.com secured takedowns on 31 and suppressed the rest. Result: Entrepreneur rebuilt reputation and closed $3M funding round. Case Study 2: CEO with Negative Press Problem: Old news coverage ranking on page one. Solution: 90-day SEO + PR campaign. Result: Positive stories ranked, pushing the negative to page three. Case Study 3: Company Flooded with Fake Reviews Problem: Competitor attack using fake Google reviews. Solution: Removal requests + review platform escalation. Result: 85% of fake reviews deleted, average rating restored. Conclusion: Taking Back Control Your online reputation is one of your most valuable assets. Negative Google search results don’t have to define you. Best case: Remove content at the source. Next best: File a removal request with Google. If all else fails: Suppress the results with SEO and content. 👉 The longer harmful results stay online, the more damage they cause. That’s why ContentRemoval.com exists: to help people like you remove, suppress, and protect their online reputation with proven strategies.
If you own a business in today's modern world, you know that it's no longer a question of whether you have an online presence or not. It's now a matter of what that online presence is. You need to know how people perceive your brand and whether that perception matches the one you want established. It's not wise to just let things fall where they may when your online reputation is involved. Businesses can't just let other people determine what their brand is, they should be the one on top of it controlling the narrative.