The internet is a free space where anyone can post anything from opinions about politics to in-depth critiques about the latest movies. Since each platform has its regulations on what is and isn’t hate speech, many people and even brands can fall victim to online defamation.



A quick search of a name or a brand through Google can show a wide variety of hateful comments and reviews, even if people with no credible proof or background write them. Although these offensive posts can seem like a light and ignorable joke, many people experience difficulty in applying for jobs or marketing their brand due to the presence of harmful content that remains accessible through search engine results.



Taking care of your online credibility



With more businesses shifting to digital platforms, many job seekers and startups need to learn how to clean their online records. Anything as harmless as an old post in your social media profile to hateful discussions on review websites can strain your credibility as a person or a brand.



Since the average person doesn’t know how to remove harmful content on Google and other search engines’ results, many people live in fear and shame of the things they did or said when they were younger. These mistakes can haunt them for as long as these sites won’t take down these false and harmless posts.



Removing negative content on Google search results



It’s anything but easy to remove negative search results in Google. However, our reputation management team can guide you on the right steps to take in clearing your online record.



Step #1: Assess a content’s violation of privacy and data laws



First, you need to analyze the negative content that you come across manually. You need to educate yourself if it violates specific laws or privacy and information acts before you can flag it as inappropriate content.



Step #2: Draft a legal letter about your request to remove negative content



You need to write a legal request to Google that enumerates all the negative content you’ve found and what rights they violate in affecting your livelihood. In drafting your letter, you need to be particular about the legal terms and social keywords in your claims.



Step #3: Address your letter to Google’s physical offices



Many people think that drafting a letter and submitting it through an online form is the last step they need to take. However, Google won’t be able to successfully monitor all the online forms that it receives from all its users. Relying on online forms is a surefire way to waste your time by waiting in vain. You should mail it through Google’s registered post, addressed to the right person, to increase your chances of getting immediate action for your needs.



Step #4: Negotiate with the web host owners



Before you mail your letter to the post, you should first consider using your well-crafted letter to try negotiating with the host website that contains negative content about you. Most companies don’t want to go through the process of dealing with a lawsuit if your grounds are clear and laid out. If they don’t submit, you can push through to forward your mail to Google’s offices. If Google denies or ignores your request, you can head straight to court to claim that both the hosting website and Google violate your rights.



Conclusion



Maintaining your online credibility is an essential part of protecting your image from false news and hateful comments. It’s a matter that can ruin people and brands’ futures, so people need to take it seriously.



If you need a company that removes your information from the internet, our team at Content Removal can help you maintain your profile free of negative content. We offer content removal services to eliminate threats against your reputation, privacy, and trademarked content. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can protect your online identity!