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Removing Content from Google
Learn how to remove harmful content from Google search results and protect your business reputation. Explore legal options and expert assistance from Igniyte
When it comes to running a business and building your online reputation, it’s undeniable that Google and other search engines are some of the best tools for getting people to discover you and your work. For this reason, many organisations use pages on their website to create content that boosts their search engine rankings.
This strategy, known as content marketing, involves businesses using blogs and other content to discuss their industry and establish themselves as experts. While this can be highly effective, what happens if people come across your business because of negative content instead of positive? Unfortunately, there are numerous websites that publish harmful information or unwanted photos, which can damage your brand.
Negative content often ranks highly on Google, which does nothing to help your business’s reputation. Given this, it’s no surprise you might want to have it removed. But is this even an option?
This page will explore the various methods for submitting removal requests, along with additional steps that can assist in the removal process and improve a business’s online reputation.
Managing online reputation and removing harmful content from Google can be a complex and time-consuming process. Here’s why working with reputation management experts, like Igniyte, is a smart move:
When it comes to removing content from Google search results, the search engine will take into account two things, this includes:
Its Compliance with the Law
There are legal obligations placed on a site such as Google, and it will remove content when it is in breach of such obligations. There may be a court order in place that demands Google act to ensure such in-breach content no longer exists.
The laws vary from country to country, but Google adheres to strict legal standards. Individuals can report law-breaking content to Google for review. Once flagged, the platform assesses the content and determines the best course of action.
Google may also remove content even if there is no legal obligation for it to do so. This is usually because it could have a significant personal impact, such as publishing intimate imagery or sensitive personal information.
As Google cannot automatically detect such information, it relies on individuals or authorities to bring it to their attention. Upon assessment, Google will decide whether the content should be removed.
Google is legally obligated to remove content when it violates certain laws. This might include content that is defamatory, infringes on copyright, or contains sensitive personal information. Court orders often play a significant role in prompting Google to act.
Google relies on individuals or authorities to flag such content. Once flagged, Google reviews the material to determine whether it breaches the law and decides on the best course of action.
Simply disliking content is not enough to justify its removal from Google’s search results. The platform prioritises displaying the most relevant content for a user’s query, and harm to an organisation alone is not sufficient grounds for removal.
However, there are circumstances where content removal is more straightforward, as legal obligations require search engines to act. Examples of defamatory or negative content that Google may remove include:
Information that could cause financial harm or lead to identity theft: If personal details that could expose someone to financial loss or identity theft, such as copyrighted material, signatures, or bank details, are published, Google has a legal obligation to remove them. Such content violates Google’s service agreement, and removal requests are typically processed within a few days.
Any images that are sexually explicit A removal request can also be made for some images that are sexually explicit. This does not apply to all images of this nature, but a court order can be made for removal if: Nude or sexual content shared without your consent or intended privacy, images of a sexual nature involving minors, acts depicted without consent in creation or public sharing.
Right to be forgotten: Another means by which you can go about removing content from Google search results is if it falls within the law of right to be forgotten. This only applies to states within the EU and essentially involves the removal of any old references from different search engines. This means removing content such as old articles, outdated videos and images and also old social media posts.
Reputation management organisations, like Igniyte, can assist with:
Defamatory content refers to untrue statements about your business that can harm your reputation. If you come across such content on Google, you have the right to report it and request its removal from search results.
This process can be complex, but a reputation management organisation can help. Whether the content is on a blog, social media site, press article, or review site, professionals can guide you through the steps to have it removed.
Negative information can be very detrimental to your business and your growth and as such removing content from Google search results that can be seen as such is a prime focus of a reputation management organisation. Other content from Google searches that could be removed include negative images or videos that feature or pertain to your business.
Copyright infringement, including plagiarism or unauthorised use of your material, can harm your business’s reputation and search engine rankings. A reputation management organisation can:
Having experts on hand is invaluable when dealing with these legal complexities.
As previously stated, when it comes to removing links from Google, it can be a very complicated process and this is usually because the law that surrounds moving such content is complex.
You will need the ear of an expert to assist you on this journey and that is where a reputation management organisation come into play, they will be able to talk to you about the key concepts of GDPR, defamation and copyright laws that could apply to your situation.
Internet trolls intentionally post inflammatory or defamatory content, often for amusement or personal agendas. While ignoring them may work in personal contexts, businesses often need to take action when trolls spread false information that affects their operations.
Addressing trolls can be challenging, especially as many act anonymously. Reputation management organisations can:
Are you dealing with trolls or negative content online? Find out how Igniyte can support you.
Of course, doing something about it is often tricky too because of the fact a lot of trolls work anonymously. This means that they usually use a fake name and so pursuing any kind of legal case against them and getting a court order to remove content or stop posting about a certain topic is difficult.
This is where reputation management organisations can come into play and help as they will be able to assist with how to deal with internet trolls: Find out how you can get support form a reputation management company.
Reviews are an absolutely massive part of your business as they are what a large amount of customers refer to when deciding whether or not they would further like to engage with what you have to offer. It is not enough anymore to merely appear in people’s search results but you need to have your brand affirmed by previous customers.
There are a number of benefits to have positive reviews surrounding your product online, which include but are not limited to the fact that they can:
There’s a common misconception that a reputation management organisation can simply remove reviews that portray your business in a negative light. While laws exist to protect against libel and internet trolls, genuine negative reviews reflecting honest experiences cannot be removed.
Online platforms for reviews are valuable as they allow users to share both positive and negative opinions, helping others make informed decisions. However, if a review breaches platform guidelines or is defamatory, you have the right to request its removal.
Reputation management organisations can assist by removing such harmful reviews and enhancing your online presence by highlighting positive feedback to attract prospective customers.
If you would like any help on the best way to move forward then you should consider speaking to a professional team.
As the internet continues to play a huge role in helping businesses get noticed, having your content rank highly on Google is more important than ever. But it’s just as vital to consider what that content says about your organisation.
While negative content doesn’t have to stay on Google, removing it can be complicated. Google considers factors like whether the content is defamatory, false, or breaches laws, and navigating these challenges can be difficult.
This is where a reputation management organisation like Igniyte can help. From removing harmful content to showcasing your positive reviews, they ensure your business is seen in the best possible light.
For advice on removing content, improving online reputation, or understanding the right to be forgotten, feel free to get in touch.
