Can You Really Control What the Internet Says About You?

Last Updated on 20 August 2025

Everyone leaves a trail online. Old news articles, forgotten blog posts, outdated reviews, and even random comments can follow you for years. Sometimes they’re harmless. Other times they affect your reputation, career, or business. The big question is: can you really control what the internet says about you? The answer is yes, but only if you know how to use the right tools, services, and strategies.

Why Your Online Reputation Sticks Around

The internet doesn’t forget. Once content is published, it often gets indexed by search engines and stored in archives. That means even if a website takes something down, it may still show up in search results.

According to Pew Research, 74% of adults in the U.S. say they worry about how their personal information is available online. And for good reason. Employers, clients, and even neighbors often search names before making decisions.

Think of Daniel, a young attorney in Chicago. He was shocked to find that an old college blog post still appeared on page one of Google for his name. It wasn’t harmful, but it made him look unprofessional. That single search result was enough to raise questions with potential clients.

What You Can and Can’t Control

The first step is understanding what’s possible. You can’t erase everything. But you can often manage how information appears.

You can control your own websites, social media accounts, and any platforms you manage directly.
You can request removal of certain content, like fake reviews or harmful personal data.
You can update outdated content if you reach the site owner or if Google’s outdated content tool applies.
You can push down negative results by publishing better, fresher, more relevant content.

You can’t stop someone from writing about you, but you can control what people see first. And that’s what most people care about.

Strategies That Actually Work

Monitor Your Name

You can’t fix what you don’t know exists. Set up monitoring tools like Google Alerts to get notified when your name or brand appears online.

Remove or Report Harmful Content

If a review violates platform rules, report it. If a site publishes false information, you may be able to request a takedown. In some cases, legal action is possible, but that’s usually a last resort.

Suppress with Positive Content

Search engines reward fresh, relevant content. Publish articles, launch a personal site, or create professional profiles. Over time, these can outrank older negative links.

Work With Experts

Some situations require professional help. Reputation services specialize in removing, suppressing, and monitoring harmful content. They know the systems, the loopholes, and the strategies that actually work.

Top Tools and Services

If you’re serious about managing your reputation, here are three services to consider:

Erase — Best for removing or suppressing harmful links. If your name is tied to old news articles or damaging search results, Erase can handle them.
Top Shelf Reputation — Strong for individuals and small businesses. They specialize in helping clients clean up negative results and boost positive ones.
Meltwater — Known for advanced media monitoring. If you want to track news mentions, social chatter, and brand reputation, this platform gives you full visibility.

Together, these services cover removal, suppression, and monitoring.

Real Stories of Reputation Cleanup

Lisa, a small business owner in Texas, found that a years-old court record was appearing in searches for her bakery. It had nothing to do with her business, but it scared off customers. With the help of a removal service, she managed to suppress it under positive press and reviews. Within six months, she saw her online orders increase by 35%.

Then there’s Chris, an engineer who applied for jobs and kept getting turned down. A recruiter finally told him an old article about a college prank popped up in every search. Embarrassing, but not illegal. He used reputation tools to push it down with professional content. Within weeks, interviews picked back up.

The Risks of Doing Nothing

Some people think ignoring online reputation issues makes them go away. It doesn’t.

One survey by CareerBuilder found that 54% of employers have decided not to hire a candidate after finding something concerning online. That means your online presence can literally cost you a job. For businesses, negative reviews or articles can tank revenue fast. BrightLocal reports that 57% of consumers won’t use a business with less than 4 stars online.

Action Plan for Reputation Control

Here’s a simple framework you can follow:

Search yourself once a month. Note what comes up in the first two pages.
Set alerts with tools like Google Alerts or Meltwater.
Flag and report any false or harmful reviews.
Request updates for outdated pages using options like the outdated content tool.
Create fresh content that highlights your expertise or positive reviews.
Hire experts if major issues appear that you can’t fix alone.

Why This Will Only Get More Important

The internet isn’t slowing down. More platforms, more reviews, and more public data appear every year. If you don’t manage your online presence, someone else controls your story.

The good news is that you don’t need to erase the entire internet. You just need to manage what people see first. With the right mix of tools, strategy, and sometimes expert help, you can turn your online reputation into an asset instead of a liability.

Final Thoughts

So, can you really control what the internet says about you? Yes, but only if you treat reputation like part of your personal or business strategy. You don’t need to panic about every old mention. Focus on the first page of search results, use tools like Erase and Meltwater, and don’t be afraid to bring in experts when needed.

Your online reputation is often your first impression. And in today’s world, first impressions usually happen on a screen. Make sure yours works in your favor.