It’s more important than ever to be mindful of your online reputation. With the internet being the first place people turn to when researching individuals, businesses or services, it’s crucial that you are aware of what information exists about you on the web. But how can you monitor your online presence effectively?
Here are some tips to get started
Google Yourself
One of the easiest ways to monitor your online presence is to simply Google yourself. This may seem obvious, but it’s a great starting point. Make sure you’re logged out of your Google account to ensure the search results aren’t personalised. Go through the first few pages of search results and look for any negative or inaccurate information. If you come across something that doesn’t belong to you, you can request it to be removed by contacting the website administrator or the search engine itself.
Set Up Google Alerts
Google Alerts is a free tool that allows you to monitor any mentions of your name or business online. You can choose to receive alerts in real-time or in a daily, weekly or monthly summary. This is a great way to stay on top of any new information that may be posted about you online.
Monitor Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for building and maintaining your online reputation, but it can also be a source of negative content. It’s important to regularly monitor your social media accounts for any mentions, tags or posts that may be harmful to your reputation. You can set up notifications for any mentions of your name or business on different social media platforms, or use a social media monitoring tool to track your social media activity.
Use Online Reputation Management Tools
There are many online reputation management tools available that can help you monitor your online presence. These tools can track your online mentions, monitor social media activity, and provide insights into your overall online reputation. One popular tool includes BrandYourself.
Monitor Your Online Reviews
If you’re a business owner, it’s important to monitor your online reviews. Check sites like Yelp, Google Reviews, and Facebook Reviews for any negative reviews that may be damaging to your reputation. Responding to negative reviews in a professional and constructive manner can go a long way in maintaining a positive online reputation.
Keep Your Profiles Up-to-Date
Make sure your online profiles are up-to-date and accurate. This includes your website, social media profiles, and any other online profiles you may have. By keeping your profiles up-to-date, you can ensure that the information being displayed about you is current and accurate.
Get professional help
For some people, staying on top of what people write and can read about you can feel like a full time job that you are lacking the skills to do successfully. Reputation management companies for individuals have teams of experts that make easy work of all aspects of your online reputation.
