How to Push Down & Bury Negative Search Results

Though the Internet and social media have made the world a glasshouse, it also comes with their downsides. 

It only takes one bad post from an angry client, an angry ex, or a disgruntled employee to kill the reputation you have worked so hard to build. 

If you want to learn how to bury negative Google search results, we will show you the right steps for successful suppression.

What are “Negative” Search Results?

Negative search results are content displayed on the internet that negatively affects your reputation. They may appear due to bad reviews, outdated information, or false claims. When people search for you or your business, these results can affect their perception.

These results can also have an impact on your career goals. 

If you have seen recent negative search results, you should start taking action immediately before the information spreads. 

• Court records

• Arrest records

• Home address

• Bad reviews

• Opinion articles

These types of negative search results show up on Google every day. 

If you are not proactive in managing your online reputation, you are susceptible to an attack online.

A small argument can turn into an online crisis. 

Even worse, the content doesn't even have to be true. 

• The Dirty

• Ripoff Report

• Busted Mugshots

• Arrests.org 

• Pissed Consumer

With the rise of Mugshot websites and user-generated content platforms, the internet has become the Wild West of defamation.

To learn how to bury negative Google search results, you need to start being very active online. 

It takes a lot of time, effort, and consistency. 

So if your time is valuable, we recommend you hire a reputation management company.

Acknowledge The Problem

The only way to tackle a problem is to accept that it exists.

Most brands don't have the time to focus the necessary attention on reputation management. 

But one way or another, it comes to haunt them in the future. Once the results reach the first page, you are playing defense. 

If you fail to address the main issue that caused the problem, you will be doing yourself more harm.

Investigate The Problem

The next step is to find out what caused the problem. That way, you can find out how to deal with it. Also, it will help you avoid a future reputation crisis.

To get ahead of the problem, your PR team has to investigate deeply; this will help you find out what caused the problem. Then you can set communication plans in place to address the issue. 

Create an action plan to address the issue.

The most successful reputation recovery stories have featured companies leaning into and embracing their problems. 

Benefits of Burying Negative Search Results

Suppressing negative search results improves your online reputation and business success. It creates a positive online reputation that builds trust with customers and enhances your brand reputation. When potential clients see optimized search engine results (SERP optimization) filled with featured snippets and reputation-boosting reviews, they are more likely to engage with your business.

You can elevate your online reputation score by focusing on search suppression services and a strong backlink strategy. Tools like Trustpilot reviews and proactive online reputation management help maintain credibility and visibility. Content removal or strategic updates ensure harmful information loses prominence.

A positive presence drives better outcomes, whether you're aiming for improved customer loyalty or a stronger public image. These strategies not only suppress negative search results but also position your brand as reliable and professional.

Ok… We screwed up.

When KFC ran out of chicken in 2018, they handled the problem well. From a corporate perspective, KFC held admitted fault, said sorry, and delivered frequent messages across multiple channels declaring their commitment to fixing their customer relationships. 

This was a smart move, but the customers were not satisfied. 

More was needed. 

What wasn’t clear was how they would make this mistake and win over their customers again. It was a trending social media story, landing right in front of many of their customers and filled with funny memes. 

KFC turned their problem into an opportunity to show they were human. Even big brands make mistakes. Once they admitted their faults and embraced the mistake, they were able to mend the relationships with customers and the damage to their brand. 

KFC even leaned into the fun with some clever and engaging social media posts poking fun at their blunder.

Can Negative Content Be Removed From The Internet?

You must consider if facing the issue head-on will be better than removing search results out rightly. 

Getting an article removed will not stop other people from expressing their opinions. 

Contact the website owner with a non-emotional email outreach requesting the content be removed or have a "no-follow" tag inserted in the webpage or image.

The website owner has no reason to help aside from being a reasonable person. For the most part, news publications will take the stance that they can not change history. This is because if they removed your article then everyone would be reaching out and asking to remove an article. Sending a generic pre-written response stating their policy for removal requests is easier for them.

Adding a layer of protection with new positive content is the best defense. 

Strategies for Burying Negative Search Results

Burying negative search results requires a combination of proactive and strategic actions. Creating new, optimized content is one of the most effective methods. High-quality blog posts, press releases, and guest blogging can dominate the search engine results pages (SERP) and suppress negative content. Social media accounts also play a significant role, offering platforms to share updates, interact with audiences, and increase visibility.

Building additional web properties, such as exact match domains, creates more opportunities to rank higher in search results. Interlinking assets, like websites and social media, improves their authority and relevance to targeted keywords. Tracking your SEO efforts with tools that monitor backlinks and keyword performance ensures that you stay ahead of negative content.

Content removal is sometimes an option if it complies with platform guidelines or legal requirements. For persistent issues, professional online reputation management services can provide expertise in keyword tracking, SERP analysis, and negative content suppression. By staying consistent and strategic, you can reshape how your online reputation is perceived.

1) Claim your name domain

Grab your brand name on a domain provider like Godaddy. Try to get the .com domain if it is available. 

Once you have purchased your name domain, you can set up your website using one of the many website builders. 

Keep in mind that you will need to pay for hosting to get your website up and running. This will cost between $5-$20/per month. If you don't have any money, utilize a free website domain. 

• WordPress

• Weebly

• MyStrikingly

• About.me

Make sure you claim your name:

Example:  yourname.wordpress.com

2) Create professional profiles

Start by creating profiles on the most powerful social media sites that rank quickly.

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Twitter

• LinkedIn

Optimize the profiles by filling out all the relevant information including your career and educational background. 

Social media profiles are a trusted source of information that Google favors. This “low-hanging fruit” is a great way to get new content showing in your search results. 

3) Focus on your name and location

Optimize your profiles around the keywords you want to rank on the first page of Google.

Example: "John Smith of Indiana Arrested"

Keyword: John Smith Indiana

Change your public profile from the generic URL that is provided by Facebook and LinkedIn to the keyword you want to bump down on Google.

4) Link the profiles together

Create backlinks to each of your profiles. This will let Google know that it is all the same person and this is relevant information for that keyword. 

The Google algorithm can read certain things: 

• Backlinks
• Keywords
• Metadata
• Alt text

To make it easier for them, link all the profiles together. 

If your desired name is already taken, choose the closest possible match. 

5) Start Blogging

Your search results are keyword driven. By focusing your articles on the keywords you want to rank for, you can 

• Replace outdated content
• Build links to the pages that matter most. 
• Utilize high authority domains for free

To get started, you can utilize a number of free blogging platforms. We recommend using Medium at the beginning. This tends to rank quickly and they allow users to choose a custom name domain. 

You can also use platforms like:

• Substack
• Blogger
• Tumblr
• LiveJournal 

Make sure you choose a platform where you can remain consistent. A set-it-and-forget-it plan will not display in search results. 

6) Publish Videos

Google’s algorithm is constantly updating for the best user experience. Video is changing the way people learn about brands. 

In fact, 66% of consumers would rather watch a video than read it to learn more about a brand.

This means that if you want to push down search results on Google, you need to utilize videos in your strategy. 

We recommend using YouTube to publish videos. 

YouTube tends to rank the highest in search results. It also shows up the fastest. Typically as soon as you publish your first video. 

You can also take advantage of other free video platforms such as: 

• Vimeo
• DailyMotion
• Twitch
• TikTok
• Instagram
• Facebook

For suppressing content, we recommend using YouTube followed by Vimeo. 

7) Optimize Sitemaps

Sitemaps make help you take up more real estate in search results. These are links to other important pages on your website. 

You can use a plugin like Yoast SEO in WordPress to fetch the sitemap. Then submit your sitemap to Google Search Console. 

8) Optimize Review Sites

Testimonials rank high in search results! 

Anyone with a website can sign up for a Trustpilot or Sitejabber account.

Reach out to people that have experience working with you and ask them to leave a review. Keep in mind that you need to address any current reputation crisis before utilizing this strategy. 

9) Use Google Ads

Google ads can help you push down any negative search results. 

While you are utilizing SEO strategies to create new positive results, you can start a Google advertising campaign for the keywords you want to target. 

Once you start an advertising campaign, they will jump straight to the top of results. 

Keep in mind that this is a temporary strategy. Once you stop paying, your negative content will be moved up in results. 

Keyword and Sentiment Analysis

Start with keyword research. Identify what terms lead to negative results. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs.

Analyze the sentiment of existing content. If it’s negative, think about what type of positive or neutral content can replace it.

Content Creation and Optimization

Creating high-quality content is key. Here’s what you can do:

• Write Blogs: Publish helpful articles about your industry or expertise.

• Optimize Profiles: Ensure all your online profiles are updated with accurate information.

• Use Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords to help your content rank higher.

Role of Social Media

Social media platforms play a powerful role in reputation management by helping bury negative search results. Consistent activity on social platforms boosts your online footprint and strengthens your authority. When you share engaging, positive content, it can appear as featured snippets or rank higher in search results, pushing negative mentions further down.

Optimized social media profiles are crucial for improving your online image results. Sharing posts, photos, or updates creates fresh, relevant content tied to your name. Social media services and tools can help you track mentions, refine strategies, and manage your online dating or professional reputation.

Link building tools, combined with thoughtful use of search terms, amplify your reach and visibility. By doing this, you build a credible and positive narrative about yourself or your brand. The more content you share, the better your chances of reshaping your online image while keeping negative mentions at bay.

Press Releases and Public Relations

Press releases are effective for creating authoritative content.

• Announce News: Share milestones, partnerships, or community initiatives.

• Reach Media Outlets: Work with PR professionals to ensure your story gets picked up.

• Gain Backlinks: Press releases can link back to your site, improving your SEO.

Professional Reputation Management Services

Sometimes, tackling negative search results alone isn’t enough. Hiring professional reputation management services can make a big difference. These experts use advanced SEO best practices and SEO reputation management strategies to suppress negative content effectively. They focus on negative content suppression, ensuring your brand’s online image remains positive.

Services like corporate online reputation management help businesses handle challenges such as Trustpilot review removal and information removal from outdated or harmful sources. Professionals can also manage local SEO services and listings management to ensure accurate and positive information appears in searches.

These services are not just about fixing problems but also building trust. They create tailored plans, including review-generating solutions and search suppression services, to improve your brand reputation and attract positive attention. Working with experts is a smart way to regain control of your online reputation if you're dealing with persistent negative results.

Key Takeaways

Now that you know how to suppress negative Google search results, you can get started managing your online reputation. 

This process does not happen overnight and takes consistency to bury search results. 

If you have a full-time job, it is overwhelming to 

• Learn how SEO works

• Create amazing content 

• Develop a content schedule 

• Stay active on social media

• Discover new opportunities to build your personal brand

• Monitor what the internet is saying about you

NewReputation makes these tasks easy.

We create custom strategies 100% tailored to your overall goals. You work closely with a dedicated reputation manager and we utilize our knowledge of search engines to build your brand.

Stop worrying about negative content. Bury them for good with NewReputation.