Your name is searchable. Whether you’re applying for a job, pitching a client, or joining a new club—people check you out online.
The good news? You can take control of your personal reputation. And it doesn’t have to take forever. You can make real progress in just 30 days.
Here’s a simple, step-by-step plan to clean up your online presence and build a reputation that works for you, not against you.
Week 1: Find Out What’s Out There
Google Yourself (In Incognito Mode)
Start by searching your full name in a private browser. Look at the first two pages of results. Check Google Images too.
Make a list of anything:
- Negative
- Outdated
- Embarrassing
- Misleading
- Irrelevant
This includes old blog posts, cringy social comments, and random stuff that doesn’t show who you are now.
Don’t forget to search your usernames and handles from old forums or social accounts. Sometimes those pages rank higher than expected.
Set Up Google Alerts
Go to Google Alerts and create alerts for:
- Your full name
- Any nicknames or aliases
- Your business name (if relevant)
This way, you’ll know when something new appears.
Week 2: Clean Up and Lock Down
Delete or Update Old Content
Start with your own accounts. Go back through your:
- Facebook
- Instagram
- LinkedIn
- Twitter/X
- Reddit
- Any public blogs or posts
Delete anything you wouldn’t want a stranger—or a hiring manager—to see.
Posts with swearing, bad jokes, political rants, or blurry drunk photos should go. Old usernames and bios that sound like they’re from 2007? Update them.
If a site won’t let you delete something, try contacting support. Or make the account private.
Unlink Unused Accounts
Use a tool like JustDelete.me to find and delete old accounts. These might include:
- Old email services
- Forums
- Dating sites
- Review platforms
The fewer places your name appears without context, the better.
Week 3: Add the Good Stuff
Now it’s time to fill in the gaps.
Set Up or Update Your LinkedIn
A good LinkedIn profile is one of the fastest ways to rank for your name.
Use a clear photo. Write a short headline and summary. Add real skills and a few short job descriptions. Keep it friendly, not stiff.
Post once this week. Something simple like:
“Excited to be working on [project]! Always learning and growing.”
That alone can boost your visibility.
Build a Simple Personal Website
Use tools like WordPress, Carrd, or Squarespace. You don’t need a full blog. Just a homepage with your name, a short bio, and links to your socials.
Use your real name in the URL if possible (e.g. johnsmith.com or johnsmithbio.com).
This gives Google something positive to rank.
Share One Thing Per Week
Pick a platform—LinkedIn, Instagram, Medium, or even TikTok. Post something that shows your interests or work ethic.
Ideas:
- A short video tip in your field
- A photo from your job or hobby
- A quote that inspires you (with your own comment)
- A link to something useful with your take
You don’t need to be famous. You just need to be consistent.
Week 4: Fix What You Don’t Control
Sometimes bad things show up that you didn’t post.
Old news stories, bad reviews, or false info can hurt your reputation—especially if they rank on page one of Google.
Respond (If You Can)
If the post is a review, a comment, or a forum thread, respond calmly. Don’t argue. Just correct the facts or state your side.
Example:
“Hi, I believe there’s been a mix-up. I’ve never worked with this person. Please feel free to contact me directly so we can clear it up.”
If it’s a news article, you can reach out to the writer or editor and ask for a correction or update.
Suppress What Won’t Go Away
If you can’t remove it, bury it.
That’s where reputation tools come in. You can:
- Write blog posts or guest articles using your name
- Post interviews or podcast clips with your name in the title
- Ask happy clients or peers to mention you publicly
- Create new social profiles or business listings to fill the front page
Services like Guaranteed Removals specialise in this kind of strategy. They help people suppress old or unwanted content by building out new, stronger search results.
Bonus Moves (If You Have Extra Time)
Ask for Reviews or Endorsements
If you work with clients, employers, or collaborators, ask them to leave a review or endorse you on LinkedIn.
This helps build credibility fast.
Share Your Story
If your past includes something tough—an arrest, bankruptcy, or mistake—consider writing a short piece about how you’ve grown.
Keep it simple and honest. People respect transparency. And it helps take control of the narrative.
What You Can Expect in 30 Days
By the end of the month, you should see:
- Your updated LinkedIn on page one of Google
- A personal website or blog starting to show up
- Fewer embarrassing or outdated posts
- A few new, clean, and useful search results
- Better control of what people find when they look you up
It won’t be perfect. But it will be better. And you’ll know how to keep improving it month by month.
Final Thoughts
Your name is your brand. And your reputation is your resume—even if you’re not job hunting.
You don’t need to be famous or rich to manage your online presence. You just need to care, act, and follow through.
In 30 days, you can build a cleaner, stronger, more professional version of yourself online. One that opens doors instead of closing them.
Start small. Stay consistent. And don’t let one old link define your future.
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