Removing Content From Google
Removing content from Google, including images and videos, means it won't appear in search results anymore. This process can be difficult to manage alone. Igniyte's reputation experts have the skills and experience to help with:
- Submitting Right to be Forgotten and Google Removal requests for information that is considered outdated or irrelevant in search engine results.
- Contesting defamatory or unverified content on Google.
- Eliminating unwanted personal information or images.
- Handling copyright issues online.
- Navigating the complex legal aspects of link removal.
- Protecting your online reputation from potential risks.
How do we manage your reputation?
The way you or your organisation are portrayed in online search results can have a substantial impact on your reputation.
Have you Googled yourself lately? If not, check the search results for your name right now and see whether you're happy with the first couple of pages of the search results.
If there's something on there that should be private, personal contact information you'd rather wasn't there, or private information you want to remove, then you're going to need to know how.
Step 1: Assess Your Online Presence
Start by conducting a self-search on Google. Review the first few pages of results—are you satisfied with what you see? If private information or other undesirable content appears, it’s crucial to take action.
Step 2: Strategic Content Removal
Our experts intervene to help individuals, brands, and businesses manage their reputations by:
- Countering Defamatory Claims: We challenge false or unsubstantiated content, targeting blogs, social media, professional profiles, review sites, and news articles.
- Eliminating Harmful Visuals: We remove unwanted images or negative information associated with your company.
- Legal Expertise in Link Removal: Our consultants offer tailored advice on the legal aspects of removing harmful links.
- Combatting Online Harassment: We provide protection strategies against internet trolls and other online threats.
Personal Reputation
Negative content online can significantly harm both personal and professional relationships. We understand the panic that arises when negative press or social media posts appear online, as we assist people in similar situations every day. In such cases, a thoughtful and strategic response is the best way to improve the situation without exacerbating it. We specialise in removing unwanted articles, images, and reviews, ensuring a positive online presence. As experts in personal and professional reputation management, we take your online presence seriously and are dedicated to repairing your personal reputation.
Business Reputation
One in three businesses reports that negative content has harmed their business, and nearly half are concerned about the future impact of such content on their business and its value. Negative, defamatory, or libelous content can severely undermine customer trust and sales. We employ strategies to suppress negative search results, ensuring that your company name is associated with positive results on Google and other platforms.
Get in touch with Niki our online reputation expert today, in complete confidence.
What content will Google remove from search results?
It's difficult to remove online content just because you dislike it; it often must meet specific criteria to be eligible for removal. However, there are instances where Google and other search engines will remove negative or defamatory content.
For example, information that could lead to identity theft or financial harm, such as bank account details, signatures, or credit card numbers, violates Google’s service agreement and can be removed.
Sexually explicit content may also be removed if it meets certain conditions:
- You’re shown nude or engaged in a sexual act.
- The content was intended to be private but appears online without your consent (e.g., revenge porn).
- You’re underage.
- You didn’t consent to the act, and the image is public without your consent.
Additionally, under the Right to be Forgotten, applicable in the EU, old references like outdated articles, pictures, videos, or social media content can be removed.
Navigating Google Search Results for Better Reputation
Stay informed with our expert insights and tips on managing your online reputation. Understanding the impact of Google search results on your online reputation is crucial, and our team can help guide you through.
Defamation Online: What You Need to Know
Defamation occurs online when false statements are made that damage someone’s reputation, causing serious harm. This can include social media posts, reviews, articles, or comments. It's crucial to address online defamation quickly to protect your personal or business reputation. Learn more about how to safeguard your online presence.
Exercising the Right to be Forgotten
In Europe, individuals have the right to request the removal of personal data from online platforms. This ensures that outdated or irrelevant information is no longer accessible, protecting your privacy. Our team is here to assist you in leveraging this right to maintain control over your online presence.
Why Your Online Reputation Matters: Key Insights
- Around 85% of consumers say they trust online reviews just as much as they trust a friend's recommendation.
- Just under half say they look for a brand name with at least a four-star rating on review sites before spending money with them.
- Just under two-thirds simply turn away from a negatively reviewed business.
- Just 5% of people will bother to look further than the first page if any search results. So, if negative content is linked on that initial search, then it's more likely than not that they will look elsewhere with their buying decisions
All of this demonstrates just how much search results matter, and why many people want to request the removal of these negative links.
Removing Negative Content - FAQs
Is it possible to remove a negative review simply because you disagree with it?
While reviews can't typically be removed simply because they're negative, they can be taken down if they violate platform guidelines, are defamatory, or proven false.
Reviews greatly influence personal, brand, and business reputations. Over 90% of consumers rely on online reviews for purchasing decisions, and more than 80% avoid businesses with poor reviews. Just one negative review can drive away 22% of customers, while four or more can deter 70%.
On the positive side, 67% of customers will consider leaving a review after a good experience, but 86% of potential customers won't buy from a business with negative reviews.
If you believe a review is unfair, contact the platform with evidence. For assistance, reach out to our team, or check our blog on spotting and removing fake reviews.
How is defamation defined under UK law?
Defamation, governed by the Defamation Act 2013, involves making a false and damaging statement about someone. However, not all such comments are defamatory. To qualify, the statement must meet the following criteria:
- Published to a Third Party: The statement must be shared with at least one other person.
- False Statement: The statement must be untrue and intended to mislead, not just an opinion.
- Cause Serious Harm to the Claimant: The statement must cause significant reputational damage, or financial harm if it concerns a business.
- No Defamation Privilege: Some statements, such as those made in court or as warnings, are protected from defamation claims.
If these conditions are met, the statement can be classified as either libel or slander.
Who can Igniyte help with Google content removal?
Our services are tailored to help individuals, professionals, businesses, organisations, and high-profile individuals manage and protect their online reputation. We address a range of issues, from personal content and negative search engine results to managing harmful content and promoting positive information. Whether it's protecting a brand, managing negative reviews, or ensuring official records remain untarnished, we offer discreet and effective solutions to keep your reputation intact.
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How do I get rid unwanted content from Google?
Removing online content is not always straightforward, but there are a few ways you can attempt to take control:
- Deleting Your Own Content: Log in and delete content from your website, blog, or social media. Replace or redirect removed pages, and update privacy settings on social media profiles.
- Requesting Google Removal: If you can't access the site, submit a removal request to Google for personally identifiable information, exploitative content, explicit or fake pornography, or images of minors.
- Contacting the Website: Reach out to the author or site owner directly.
- Legal Options: If necessary, consult a professional for legal removal options. Consider action for copyright infringement, defamation, or the Right to be Forgotten in the EU.
What if the negative content can't be deleted?
If all attempts to remove the content have been unsuccessful, the next step is to develop an online reputation management strategy. This approach will help to push the negative content further down in search results, reducing its visibility and impact on your reputation.
For more information on reputation management, read our guides or contact Igniyte for a free consultation.
How do I take my name out of Google search?
Removing your name from Google is a similar process to removing negative content. Key steps include:
- Contact the website owner to request removal.
- Use Google's removal tools for outdated content or personal information.
- Exercise the "Right to be Forgotten" if you are in the EU.
- Manage your online presence through privacy settings and monitoring.
- Consider legal action if the content is defamatory.
- Utilise reputation management services for professional help.
Why would you want to remove content from Google search results or other search engines?
If you're wondering why Google search results matter so much, it's worth knowing that just over two-thirds of us trust search engines when we research an individual, organisation or brand.
This is reason enough to want to remove any negative search results that might show up.
Content from Google could be an online review site or negative content on a news website. Whatever the content is, people want to know how to go about the removal process.
Is it as simple as making a removal request directly to a website owner?
In theory, this approach can work. It is possible to make a removal request to a website owner and simply ask them to either remove personally identifiable information about you or delete the given page.
Are they likely to do so? In our experience as professional reputation managers with years of experience, the short answer is 'no'.
Often, the owner of a web page, site or the content itself is highly unlikely to respond to this kind of request positively. This is largely because, as the author or owner of the content itself, we must assume they have a reason to have published it on their website in the first place.