Negative search results: How to remove and suppress them from Google

At Freelart, one of the most common questions we get asked is, “How do I remove a negative article from the search results?”

This has led us to develop a set of strategies to either suppress or remove negative content from Google search results.

Our Online Reputation Management services have helped a diverse range of clients, including companies, musicians, authors, and politicians, to push down negative search results on their behalf.

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Understanding Online Reputation Management

Online reputation management is crucial for both individuals and businesses.

Negative search results can significantly impact personal and professional success. There are two primary ways to address these results: removal and suppression.

The approach depends on the specifics of the situation. Strategies may include creating new content, optimising existing content, and requesting content removal.

How to Remove Negative Search Results

To remove negative results, follow these steps:

1. Contact the Platform About a Guideline Violation: Many platforms have guidelines prohibiting certain types of content. Familiarise yourself with these guidelines to see if there are grounds for removal.
2. Request the Content Be Removed From Google: If the platform doesn’t remove the content, request its removal from Google. Google has a form for reporting content that violates copyright or trademark laws.
3. Contact the Author: Reach out to the author directly, especially if you can provide evidence that the content is incorrect or outdated. This may persuade them to remove or update the article.

How to Suppress Negative Search Results

Suppressing these types of search results involves promoting positive content to outrank the negative articles. Here are effective strategies:

1. Optimise Owned Articles: Improve the rankings of your positive or neutral articles by optimising them for relevant keywords.
2. Create Social Profiles: Establish social profiles on authoritative platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter.
3. Publish New Websites: Create new websites with domain names that include your target keywords.
4. Contribute to Third-Party Websites: Write guest posts or articles on reputable third-party sites.
5. Create Backlinks From Owned Assets: Use your own digital properties to link to the positive or neutral content.
6. Optimise for Featured Snippets: Structure your content to appear in Google’s featured snippets.
7. Review Other Keyword Variations: Identify and optimise for other relevant keyword variations.

Conclusion

Improving your online reputation by removing or suppressing negative search results is vital.

While outright removal of negative content is ideal, it can be challenging. Instead, focusing on content suppression and optimisation can significantly enhance your search results and better control your brand narrative.

If you see negative results that you’re looking to bury, call us at +2348181932000.

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.