Googling Yourself? Not Liking What Comes Up?

(CBS)  Come on - admit it - you've Googled yourself, right?

If so, you're in the majority. Pew Research says 57 percent of adult Internet users now use search engines to find information about themselves, up from 47 percent in 2006.

And you're not the only one checking you out: Employers, landlords, even possible dates may well be at it, too.

But what can you do if you don't like what comes up?

On "The Early Show on Saturday Morning," CNET Senior Editor Dan Ackerman said there are ways to influence the results. He offered pointers on managing your online image.

If you Google yourself and see information that is either negative or personal, how do you get it removed?

Finding information about yourself online, whether it was uploaded by you or someone else, can be very distressing. There are steps you can take to minimize the impact, especially if you think potential employers, landlords, or the like will be Googling you in the near future.

But let's not sugarcoat this - there's really no way to completely erase something once it's online.

Google provides a set of tools for removing URLs from its index, but these are mainly for the owners of those sites who want to replace outdated pages or information.

You can find Google Removal Tools here.

If you're trying to get rid of some photos or blog posts that are on someone else's site, it's generally their call, and you'd have to contact the site owner and ask them to remove whatever it is (but I wouldn't get too optimistic about that happening).

If you do manage to remove any pictures or Web pages you'd prefer to have hidden, Google will note these changes when it next searches that particular site - meaning the information will eventually vanish from the search results on Google. But it would take weeks or months.

To see Google's Guidelines on such matters, click here.

What happens if the other party doesn't remove it?

Keep Online Info Current and Positive

Chances are you're not going to be able to get those ill-advised party photos or blog post comments removed from someone else's site.

Instead, you should focus on making sure there's new, updated, positive information about yourself out there that will, hopefully, come up on a Google search higher up than any older links you'd prefer people not see.

There are companies that can help you with this - such as Brand Yourself or Reputation Defender - they can perform a more detailed search of Google results related to you, see how you rank when people search for various keywords (like, "best electrician in Denver..."), and even build a personalized Web site for you - but these are all things you could do yourself for free, or close to it, if you take the time.

Your goal is to create and keep current your own list of Web pages that pertain to you and, hopefully, these sites will become the top search results that come back when someone Googles you.

How do you create the online presence you want?

Build Your Online Identity with a Google Profile, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook

Start by filling out a Google profile page. You can include a photo, job history, contact info if you want, and link to other profile pages you may have - these Google profile pages are useful, because they rank highly in search engine results.

You can also start, or update if you already have, other Web sites.

Start a Twitter account - it's a good way to maintain an ongoing stream of content relating to you and your interests.

LinkedIn is a social network for business - people mainly use it to post their job history online and connect to people in the same field, or friends at other companies. Think of it as a permanent online resume.

Facebook can be used the same way - we've heard a lot about Facebook privacy issues lately, and while you do have a lot of control over who can see what on Facebook, I still wouldn't post any photos or links I wouldn't want associated with me in polite company. Someone else on your friends list can always copy pictures or posts and repost them elsewhere - so once it's on Facebook, consider it open season for anyone Googling you.

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[barbaram99]

newster,
I member when there were only telephones and there were rules parents set down years ago..Most do have a user name. The article makes ye think..I knew that in 06.
It is there. I am not ashamed of what I have and do write. I do not use a webcam..In fact that is why I like my older computer. If ye member words are powerful. I don't like them that lie..The boards are for sharing as a people..My late fater was a simple man. He used very few words and what he did say was meanful and to the point..I was rather read what each say of others to learn from them..Yet also realise we are all humans with something to say..Issues that are important to each..

[footdr2]

I goggled myself and it has caused me to be much more cautious. Infact, I will never reply to the Federal Governments requests for comments on upcoming, proposed legislation again using my real name and email address.
Nor will I ever sign-up for a facebook account as eventhough I asked that my email address be blocked, I began receiving emails.

I do not trust the u.s. government and am cautious when acessing their websites.

[voxpopulus]

There's an old quotation: "Live in such a way that even the undertaker weeps when you die." If you don't, it's on you.

[newsterI]

If you Google yourself and see information that is either negative or personal, how do you get it removed? "

You can't it's permanently up, that is why when you are on line you NEVER but NEVER use a real name, address, email address you personally can be connected to, and you never ever mention anything anywhere that can lead back to your location, you or where you work.
Google can find ONE word on an entire 10,000 page web site and connect it.

"If you do manage to remove any pictures or Web pages you'd prefer to have hidden, Google will note these changes when it next searches that particular site - meaning the information will eventually vanish from the search results on Google. But it would take weeks or months. "

Good luck, Google is NOT the only repository, every search engine keeps cached copies, and then there is the way back machine on archive.org which permanently archives every web site it can crawl. Even if the domain name changes hands the old content is still there in their archives dated by year.

The ONLY way to avoid the archive.org archive is the site OWNER has to put a physical block on their site, good luck getting a site owner to do that for little ole you just because some old boyfriend posted your old nude photo or something without your knowlege on a blog somewhere.

[typeA911]

I'm not here to impress anybody. It doesnt matter what anybody thinks.

[barbaram99]

Ye can type yer user name/s in the box and find everything posted..I have done just that..I am also aware of poor spelling I have..I am also aware that what I write is there..I do try to think of others when I write ..I am not going lie when I talk about issues I have faced growing up or what ever the issue may be in future..