Have you ever scrolled through the news and felt bombarded by all the negative headlines?
You know the kind:
-
"Local Man Accused…"
-
"Neighborhood Business Owner Indicted…"
-
"Big Bust in Local Sting Operation…"
Yeah, it's everywhere. And if you're the person in those articles, it feels like you carry a huge weight.
Suddenly, it seems like everyone's against you, and you're stuck wondering if it's time to pack up and change your name.
But hold on—don't rush to disappear. This isn't your entire story.
Here's the thing: Bad news, especially the kind that's inaccurate or old, can really mess with how people see you or your business online.
But don't worry, there's hope.
You can actually do quite a bit to make those annoying articles less visible or gone altogether.
Instead of frantically looking for a magic "delete" button on Google, let's talk about smart ways to clean up your online presence.
Understanding News Article Rankings
Negative news articles often rank well because news sites have high domain authority. Google prioritizes these sites due to their trustworthiness and regular updates. Even minor stories can rank higher than personal or small business websites.
The duration a news article stays online depends on the publisher. Some outlets keep articles indefinitely. Others may archive or remove them after a few years. Requesting removal directly from the publisher can work if the content needs to be updated. Be polite and explain how the article affects you. However, most publishers are reluctant to remove articles without a legal issue.
Removing or suppressing negative articles requires patience. Google’s algorithms continuously change; results can take weeks or months to shift. Consistent effort in creating and optimizing positive content is the most reliable approach.
So, here are 7 smart ways to remove articles from search results.
Option 1: Contact the newspaper editor.
If you want to get a news article removed from search results, a good first move is to reach out to the newspaper's editor. This method is pretty direct and can work fast, especially if you've got a strong reason why the article should be taken down.
You can use tools like DomainTools or Whois to find the web admin’s contact information.
Your Action Plan
-
Find the Right Person: Look for the editor's contact info or whoever's in charge of content. You'll typically find this on the publication's "Contact Us" page.
-
Make Your Case: Write a respectful and clear request. Tell them why the article should be off the web, backing it up with any important details or proof.
-
Highlight Key Issues: Explain the distress this article is causing everyone involved.
Example:
Before you reach out to the editor, having a plan in place is crucial. If the publisher doesn't agree to take down the article, your next step should be to make it less visible in search results.
If you spot a mistake in the article, letting the publisher know might lead them to update it. An update in the content can make it more visible online, as the update can make it seem more relevant to search engines. Be sure to ask for the article to be removed.
Option 2: The Newspaper can add a “no-index” tag
Ask the newspaper to add a "no-index" tag on the page. It's like making the article invisible to Google and other search engines without actually deleting it.
What's a No-Index Tag?
Think of a "no-index" tag as a bit of code in the website's background that tells search engines, "skip this page." The article stays up, but it's hidden from anyone using Google to search it.
Asking for a No-Index Tag
Reach out to the newspaper like you would if you were trying to get the article removed. But this time, you're asking them to hide it from search engines instead. Point out how people searching for you are getting bad information.
Here is the code: Place the following meta tag into the <head> section of the page:
<meta name="robots" content="noindex">
A no-index tag is a good alternative for removing the article.
It's perfect for when website owners want to help you but aren't ready to remove articles completely. This way, you both win: the content stays, but it's not connected to your name.
Option 3: Google's Content Removal Tools
When the website owner refuses to remove the article and the editor won't add a "no-index" tag, your next step is to ask Google to remove the article from their search results. If suppressing content isn’t enough, Google offers tools for content removal. The most commonly used tool is the DMCA form. This allows you to request the removal of copyrighted material. If the negative article uses your content without permission, this can be a straightforward solution.
Another option is Google's "Remove Outdated Content" tool. It helps take down links that no longer exist but still appear in search results. This won’t remove an active article but can clean up outdated mentions.
The success of these tools depends on the situation. Google rarely removes factual content simply because it’s negative. However, if the content is harmful, defamatory, or breaches privacy, you can report it. Filing a complaint with Google is free, but results may take time and aren’t guaranteed.
How to Ask Google to Remove an Article:
-
Why Google Might Agree: Google needs a good reason to take something off their search results. This could be because it's violating their guidelines or you have a court order.
-
Legal Removal Form: If the article breaks the law or shares private info, Google has a form where you can ask them to take it down.
-
What You Need: Be ready to show proof that supports your request. This might include legal documents, screenshots, and previous communication with the website admin.
Asking Google to remove an article is a bit more formal and might need you to gather evidence. But if an article is causing trouble or stress, it's an option worth considering.
Google also removes content for specific legal reasons, such as DMCA copyright violation reports and child sexual abuse imagery.
Collect all the information that will help Google decide and file a report.
Option 4: Leverage the Right to Be Forgotten
This is the best option if you live in places like the EU and Argentina. (Not Applicable in the U.S.)
Understanding the Right to Be Forgotten
-
What It Is: It lets you ask search engines (like Google) to remove links to information about you that's outdated or not relevant anymore.
-
When You Can Use It: If something online about you is wrong, no longer relevant, or has minimal public interest, you can ask to remove it from search results. It's a balance between public interest and personal privacy.
How to Make a Request
-
Step 1: Gather Your Evidence: Show why the info should be taken down. Is it old news? Is it wrong? Make your case.
-
Step 2: Explain the Impact: Tell them why this matters to you. Is it hurting your reputation? Is it causing you stress? Get specific about how it's affecting you.
-
Step 3: Know the Rules: Each place has its own set of rules for the Right to Be Forgotten. Make sure your request fits the bill in your area.
If you live in an area that accepts the Right to be Forgotten, you can file a report here.
Option 5: Legal and Professional Assistance.
If the negative article contains false information, you may have grounds for defamation. Consulting with an attorney experienced in defamation cases is a good starting point. They can send cease-and-desist letters or escalate the matter to court if needed. This approach is especially effective against smaller sites that might not have the resources to fight a legal battle.
Why go for a lawyer?
-
Expertise: Lawyers know their way around the law, making it easier to deal with stuff like slander or privacy issues.
-
Cease and Desist Letters: A stern letter from your lawyer can make people sit up and take notice, even when they've ignored your previous pleas.
-
Going to Court: If things get really serious, your lawyer can take it to the next level by starting legal action against the publisher.
Things to consider: lawyers aren't cheap, and there's no promise you'll win.
The road through the legal system can be long and winding, needing a lot of patience. Plus, court battles are expensive.
It's all about weighing the cost against how much you want that content gone.
Suing for defamation isn’t always easy. You’ll need to prove the information is false, harmful, and published with intent to damage your reputation.
Removing the article entirely may still depend on the publisher even with a successful case. This is where professional assistance adds value.
Think about this route when you've tried everything else or when the issue has big legal consequences.
Option 6: Hire a Reputation Management Company
Why not go beyond just content removal? Reputation management experts know the best channels to address content issues effectively.
Imagine this scenario: You get rid of one negative article, but then another pops up elsewhere, putting you right back where you started. That's where a reputation management company comes into play.
They don't just do clean-up; they protect you from future negativity.
Don't play "Whac-A-Mole" with your reputation.
Why Reputation Management?
-
Content Removal: Chat directly with publishers or use legal channels to remove the content.
-
SEO Expertise: They use search engine optimization to push negativity down with positive content.
-
Always Watching: They monitor your online presence to catch any issues quickly.
Picking the Right Team
-
Do Your Homework: Look for a team with a solid track record.
-
Strategy Talks: Make sure their game plan fits your needs and values.
-
Clear Agenda: Choose someone upfront about how they work and what they can pull off.
Why It's Worth It
-
They're the Experts: They have dealt with this situation before.
-
Save Your Time: Let them worry about your online image, so you can focus on what you do best.
-
All Bases Covered: They don't just stop at cleaning up; they help make your whole online presence better.
Hiring a reputation management company is an investment, but it's worth it for the peace of mind and proactive approach to improving your online image.
Option 7: Content Suppression Strategies
Removing a negative article isn’t always possible. Instead, suppressing it with positive content can be effective. Google ranks content based on relevance and authority. You can use this to your advantage by optimizing the content you control. Start with your website. Create fresh, engaging, and keyword-rich pages that highlight your strengths. Update blogs regularly with valuable information that showcases your expertise.
Building a new website can also help. Focus on your name or brand as the domain. Fill it with professional achievements, services, or community involvement. The more credible content you have, the higher the chances of pushing negative results lower in search rankings.
You can also contribute to third-party websites. Writing guest articles for reputable sites boosts your online presence and links back to your website. These backlinks signal to Google that your owned content is trustworthy, helping it rank higher than the unwanted articles.
Understanding Content Removal vs. Suppression
Content removal and suppression are different.
-
Content Removal: This involves deleting the negative article. It can happen if the content violates a platform’s terms of service or copyright laws. You’ll need to request the website or search engine to take it down. Unfortunately, this is not always possible.
-
Content Suppression: Suppression focuses on pushing down negative search results. This means creating positive, relevant content to dominate search results. Suppression is the most effective strategy when removal isn’t an option.
Steps to Suppress Negative Articles
If you can’t remove a negative article, suppressing it is your best bet. Here's how you can start:
-
Optimize Your Existing Content
Take a look at your current online presence. Ensure that your website, blogs, and social media pages are well-maintained. Use the following steps:
-
Update old content with current information.
-
Include the keywords you want to rank for.
-
Use SEO strategies like adding meta descriptions, tags, and quality backlinks.
When you strengthen your existing content, search engines prioritize it over older, negative results.
-
Create Positive Content
Build new content that ranks higher than negative articles. Here’s how to approach it:
-
Write blogs, news stories, or press releases. Focus on your achievements, updates, or services.
-
Create content that aligns with specific keywords. For example, if the negative article ranks for “XYZ Business Reviews,” publish blogs or videos highlighting customer success stories with that same phrase.
-
Post updates regularly to maintain relevance.
Fresh, positive content signals search engines to show it higher in results.
-
Contribute to Third-Party Sites
Publishing on third-party platforms is powerful. Articles, guest posts, and interviews on trusted websites rank well on Google. They also lend credibility to your name or brand. Focus on these platforms:
-
Local news websites
-
Industry blogs
-
Popular online magazines
When done consistently, these contributions push negative content further down.
-
Build Backlinks to Positive Content
Backlinks are links from other websites to your content. Search engines view them as a signal of quality. You can create backlinks by:
-
Collaborating with partners or customers to link to your site.
-
Adding links to your social media and email campaigns.
-
Listing your website on directories.
When many sites link to your positive content, it outranks negative articles.
The Challenges of Removing Negative News
Getting rid of bad news articles from Google isn't as easy as hitting the delete button.
Why?
Let's break it down:
1. The Power of Public Interest: News sites value their credibility. So does Google. This trust puts more emphasis on how their stories rank in search results.
2. The Persistence of Search Engines: Articles can be copied, shared, or reposted on other websites, making removal challenging.
3. Archived Content: Many websites and online archives store copies of web pages, making it nearly impossible to erase an article completely from the internet.
Removal might be tricky, but there are clever ways around it, like pushing it down in search results.
Will the news article go away on its own?
Have you ever heard of the news cycle?
It's how, after one news piece goes live, the next one doesn't pop up until about a day later.
That's the news cycle - a whole day passing between daily updates.
While it started with newspapers, this concept now covers all ways we get news.
Once the next news cycle is published, any negative news about my name should be removed, right?
The short answer is no.
According to Google Trends, the average “big story” lasts about seven days before the public moves on to the following shocking headline.
Let's face it, most of us don't make headlines daily. So, the top thing popping up on Google with your name? It's going to stick around until something fresher comes along.
Now, while old newspapers end up in the recycle bin, online articles? They live on. Getting rid of them isn't as simple as throwing them out with the recycling.
Understanding the Journalistic Landscape
Factual News (Tricky): These articles are all about the facts. If you find one that's sharing false or misleading info, you should argue for its removal. But, they could just update it.
Opinions or Commentary (Also Tricky): Unless it crosses the line into hate speech or defamation, it's probably staying put. Freedom of speech is a big deal.
Personal Stories or Interviews (Somewhat Tricky): Wanting something deleted just because you don't like it? That's tough. But if it's sharing your private info without permission, you've got a better chance.
Investigative Reports (Very Tricky): These pieces require a lot of work and often shed light on big issues. Given their impact and the effort behind them, getting them erased is a tall order.
Public Records (Easier): Articles based on public records, like court docs, can sometimes share too much about you, violating privacy laws. But if it's about something that did happen, like an arrest, it gets a bit more complicated.
If you are found “not guilty,” will the newspaper remove your article?
Many newspapers aren't aware that their stories can have a negative impact on your life. Even if they were, most wouldn't bother to care.
But, if a story changes because someone is proven innocent or there's new information, the good publishers will often update or delete that story. They don't have to do this by law, but it's the right thing to do.
If a story has a big mistake, it might be completely pulled from a website. This is known as a retraction. For smaller mistakes, a correction, or "corrigendum," is made.
Monitoring and Managing Online Reputation
Prevention is better than cure. Regularly monitoring your online presence is crucial. Set up Google Alerts for your name or brand to receive notifications about new mentions. This helps you catch negative content early and address it before it escalates.
Building a strong online reputation involves consistent effort. Create profiles on social platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram, and keep them active. These profiles rank well on Google and can push negative articles further down.
Publishing positive content is another key strategy. Celebrate milestones, share customer testimonials, or showcase community involvement. Positive stories build trust and dilute the impact of any negative content.
Key Takeaways
Getting rid of a news article online isn't quick or easy. Instead, focus on pushing down the bad news to get it off Google's first page.
You can try fixing this on your own or get experts to help. Either way, the aim is to make sure your online image is impressive.
If you have found a negative news article has been published about you, contact us today for a FREE consultation. We will provide a detailed strategy to repair your online reputation quickly.
Share this
Reputation Doppelgänger: A Solution For Mistaken Identity
Ripoff Report: How to Remove Reviews on Ripoff Report
