Do You Need to Remove Bad Press ?
Do You Need to Remove Bad Press ?

Option | Effectiveness | Cost |
#1.Waiting For Negative Articles To Naturally Fall Off The First Page | Low | Free |
#2.Submit a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) Takedown Notice on Google | Low | Free |
#3. Hire an SEO ExpertâïžRoss Kernezâïžto Clean Your Name or Brand | High | $$ |
#4. Reaching Out To Journalists to Take Down Content from Google Search | Low | Free |
#5. Explore Legal Strategies to Take Down Negative Content Online | Medium | $$$ |
#6. Requesting an Update To a Negative Article Via Email Outreach | Low | Free |
#7. Create Social Media Profiles | Medium | Free |
#8. Create New Websites | Medium | $$ |
#9. Become a Writing Contributor | Medium | $ |
#10. Create Backlinks & Digital PR | Medium | $$ |

Search results refer to the list created by search engines in response to a query. Search results can be broken down as follows:
Natural search results
(usually on the left-hand side of search engine’s results page) and;
Sponsored search results
(usually on the top and right-hand side of a search engine’s results page). Here you will see websites that have placed PAID ads within the search engine.


With over 15 years of experience, I help businesses and individuals learn how to remove bad press from Google and effectively get rid of negative search results. My proven strategy goes far beyond basic content creation. I develop and manage authoritative websites that highlight positive, relevant narrativesâdesigned specifically to rank on the first page of Google. To strengthen this presence, I secure high-quality backlinks and digital PR placements in reputable publications, which increase your domain authority and push down unwanted or outdated articles. This multi-layered approach ensures your online reputation reflects who you truly areâtoday, not years ago.

Knowing how to remove bad press from Google is essential for protecting your reputation. Negative articlesâespecially those that are outdated, misleading, or factually incorrectâcan shape public perception and influence important decisions. Whether you’re an individual or a business, these damaging pieces can cause confusion, misinform potential clients, and lead to long-term harm.
Reputation management plays a critical role in this process. Bad press can unfairly tarnish your image, cost you business opportunities, and strain both personal and professional relationships. Learning how to get rid of bad press from Google allows you to take control of your online narrative, reduce reputational damage, and ensure that search results reflect the most accurate and positive information about you or your brand.

If you’re looking for how to remove bad press from Google and get rid of bad press effectively, hiring an online reputation expert is a smart first step. These professionals specialize in suppressing or removing negative content that damages your personal or business image. A reputable expert will begin with a comprehensive audit of your digital presenceâidentifying harmful articles, outdated mentions, and unfair portrayals. From there, they assess the severity and source of each issue and map out a custom strategy to clean up your online profile. One of their core services is the targeted removal or burial of negative press using proven tactics like content replacement, SEO, backlink strategies, and high-authority PR placements.


Relying on the freshness algorithm, also known as the Freshness Systems, to let negative articles naturally fall off the first page of search results is often not a viable strategy for managing your online reputation, especially if you want to take down negative results from Google quickly. Search engines like Google prioritize newer content, and if negative content continues to generate clicks, shares, or backlinks, it may maintain its ranking regardless of its age. Therefore, depending solely on the freshness algorithm is risky and can leave your reputation vulnerable for an extended period.
Hiring an experienced reputation expert specializing in online reputation management can expedite this process by actively working to displace negative content with positive, relevant information. An expert can ensure that any new negative content is swiftly addressed and managed. They can implement strategies to prevent negative articles from gaining traction, such as monitoring your online presence, responding to negative feedback appropriately, and continually updating and optimizing positive content.

To submit a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) takedown notice to Google, you must follow a formal process. Begin by identifying the infringing content and locating the URLs of the specific pages containing the infringing material. Gather evidence that proves the content infringes on your copyright.
Next, submit the notice to Google by visiting Googleâs DMCA page at https://support.google.com/legal/troubleshooter/1114905. Select the appropriate product (e.g., Search, YouTube) and follow the prompts to fill out and submit the form.
After submitting, monitor the process, as Google will review the notice and may contact you for additional information. If the notice is found valid, Google will take down the infringing content from their search results.

An experienced SEO expert like Ross Kernez employs advanced suppression techniques that he developed over years to influence search engine results, utilizing positive news content, creating new websites, publishing favorable press and leveraging social media presence to suppress negative results on Google. He will develop a custom strategy tailored to your specific needs, ensuring that positive stories about you or your business are prominently displayed in search results. By improving the visibility of favorable content, he can effectively suppress negative search results.

How to Remove Bad Press from Google & Get Rid of Bad Press by Collaborating with Journalists
Reaching out to a journalist to request removal or revision of a damaging article is one of the most effective—but sensitive—ways to remove bad press from Google and get rid of bad press before it spreads further. Begin by pinpointing the exact reporter and publication behind the negative story, then study their stated policies for corrections or updates. Your email should pair professionalism with empathy: acknowledge the journalist’s duty to report accurately, but demonstrate—factually and calmly—how the current piece harms your reputation or misleads readers.
In your outreach, lead with a concise explanation of why the article no longer reflects the truth or presents incomplete context. Support that claim with clear evidence: court documents, updated data, expert statements, or proof the information is outdated. Offer an easy path forward—whether that’s a formal correction, a clarifying update, or a full retraction—so the journalist sees a solution, not just a complaint. By respecting journalistic integrity while presenting compelling proof, you dramatically improve the odds of having harmful content amended or removed, helping you push down negative search results and maintain a positive online presence.

How to Remove Bad Press from Google & Get Rid of Bad Press: Why Legal Action Can Backfire
Exploring legal avenuesâsuch as filing a defamation lawsuit to remove bad press from Googleâmay seem like a logical solution, but it often creates more problems than it solves. While the intent behind legal action is to protect your reputation, lawsuits can trigger unintended consequences that make it harder to get rid of bad press effectively. In many cases, legal efforts only draw more attention to the very content you're trying to suppress.
One major reason this approach is risky is the complexity and high cost of litigation. Defamation lawsuits can be lengthy, emotionally draining, and financially burdensome, with no guaranteed success. Legal fees alone can run into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, and court cases can drag on f

A smart, lowâconflict tactic to remove bad press from Google and get rid of bad press is to ask the original journalist for an update or clarification. Because this process is sensitive, approach it with respect and a spirit of collaboration rather than confrontation. By framing your outreach around accuracy and transparency, you show the reporter that your goal is a balanced, factâbased storyânot censorship. This mindset alone can soften resistance and improve the odds that the article will be revised, thereby reducing its negative impact on your search results.
Maintain a courteous, professional tone that acknowledges the journalistâs role and expertise. Express appreciation for their work before outlining specific concerns, and avoid accusatory language that might trigger a defensive response. Emphasize that you value truthful reporting and want readers to have the most upâtoâdate information. When the request feels like a joint effort to enhance accuracy, journalists are more inclined to listenâand Google rewards updated, authoritative content, which in turn helps bury older negative narratives.
Support your request with clear, verifiable evidence: official documents, updated statistics, or new achievements that correct or balance the original coverage. Provide links to primary sources or attach relevant files so the reporter can factâcheck quickly. Concrete proof distinguishes your appeal from mere reputation repair and signals genuine commitment to honesty. When journalists have irrefutable data at their fingertips, updating the story becomes a straightforward editorial decision rather than a risky concession.

One of the fastest ways to remove bad press from Google and get rid of bad press is to create authoritative social media profiles that you fully control. When you claim your name or brand handle on platforms like LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok, you occupy highâauthority domains that routinely rank on page one of Google. Each profile becomes a branded asset that pushes negative links farther down the search results, limiting their visibility and influence.
Beyond visibility, social channels let you shape the narrative in real time. Regularly posting valuable contentâindustry insights, success stories, and authentic behindâtheâscenes momentsâsignals to search engines and human audiences alike that your brand is active, transparent, and trustworthy. Responding promptly to comments or reviews also demonstrates accountability, helping neutralize lingering doubts created by earlier bad press.
To ensure these profiles outrank legacy negativity, apply proven SEO techniques: use a consistent brand name in the @handle and display name; fill out every bio field with keywordârich descriptions; include a backlink to your primary website; and publish multimedia content that earns shares and backlinks. When optimized correctly, social accounts create a protective wall of fresh, authoritative results, dramatically improving your chances of burying negative coverage and reclaiming your online reputation.

Launching fresh, wellâoptimized websites is a powerful tactic to remove bad press from Google and get rid of bad press. Unlike social platformsâwhere algorithms and policies can shift overnightâyour own sites give you full control over every headline, image, and meta tag that shapes your online narrative. Each domain you own occupies valuable real estate on page one of search results, crowding out negative or outdated coverage that no longer reflects who you are today.
A dedicated website lets you showcase expertise, success stories, and thoughtâleadership content under your direct editorial oversight. When built with solid technical SEOâclean code, fast load times, secure HTTPS, and schema markupâyour new site can outrank legacy negativity by signaling higher relevance and authority to Google. Strategic internal linking, keywordârich blog posts, and backlinks from credible sources further boost visibility, making it harder for bad press to regain top positions.
Treat each site as a reliable hub for audiences, journalists, and potential partners to verify accurate information about your brand. Include an âAboutâ page that clarifies your mission, a media center with pressâready assets, and timely case studies that demonstrate ongoing impact. Over time, this ecosystem of branded websites creates a strong defensive barrier, ensuring that positive, upâtoâdate content dominates search results and pushes harmful links out of sight.

Few tactics boost credibility faster than publishing articles in respected industry outlets. By becoming a regular contributor, you not only remove bad press from Google and get rid of bad press but also flood search results with authoritative, positive narratives. Search engines reward content on reputable domains, so every byline you earn can outrank legacy negativity, pushing it down the page and out of public view.
Thoughtâleadership pieces showcase your unique insights, positioning you as the goâto expert in your field. Over time, this consistent stream of highâquality content builds trust with prospective clients, investors, and journalistsâan invaluable defense against future reputation threats. Guest contributions also expand your professional network, opening doors to speaking engagements, partnerships, and backlinks that further strengthen your online presence.
To maximize impact, target publications whose audiences align with your goals and ensure each article links back to your branded websites or optimized social profiles. This strategic interlinking signals relevance and authority to Google, accelerating the suppression of negative results and cementing your reputation as a credible, proactive thought leader.

Strategic backlink building and digital PR campaigns form a powerful oneâtwo punch to remove bad press from Google and get rid of bad press. When highâauthority sites link to your content, they pass on âtrust signalsâ that Googleâs algorithm uses to rank pages. Each quality backlink raises the perceived value of your positive assetsâblog posts, case studies, media kitsâallowing them to outrank negative or outdated coverage and push it off the first page.
Digital PR takes that momentum further by placing your story in online news outlets, influential blogs, and niche industry publications. These earned media features not only introduce you to new audiences but also generate natural backlinks from reputable domains. The result is a virtuous cycle: your visibility rises, journalists see you as a credible source, and fresh PR opportunities appearâeach reinforcing the others and steadily burying harmful search results.
To maximize suppression impact, focus on relevance and authority: pitch publications whose readership aligns with your brand, craft dataâdriven narratives that editors love, and secure doâfollow links to your most important pages. Combined with ongoing backlink analysis and outreach, this approach delivers a durable reputation shieldâensuring that positive, highâvalue content dominates search results and harmful links fade into obscurity.

What exactly counts as âbad press,â and how can I tell if something online qualifies?
Bad press includes any online article, blog post, socialâmedia thread, or forum comment that paints an inaccurate, outdated, or unfair picture of you or your brand. Even neutral coverage can become âbadâ if the headline is sensational, the facts are wrong, or the context is missing. Searchers rarely dig past the first page of Google, so a single negative snippet can disproportionately influence perception. If a piece drives inquiries that question your credibility, prompts customers to hesitate, or triggers uncomfortable conversations with partners, itâs bad press. You can measure its impact by tracking dips in traffic, sales, or inbound leads that correlate with the articleâs publication or rise in ranking.
Why is it so hard to remove bad press from Google once it shows up?
Googleâs algorithm rewards content that is popular, wellâlinked, andâŻfrequently clickedâattributes that sensational negative stories often possess. Major news sites carry high domain authority, making it tough for newer positive pages to outrank them organically. Legal takedowns are limited to clear defamation, copyright violations, or privacy infringements, and they take time. Even if you succeed with a takedown, cached copies or syndicated versions can reappear. As a result, a comprehensive reputation strategy usually focuses on burying bad press rather than relying solely on removal.
Can I request Google directly to delete a negative article?
Google rarely removes lawful content just because itâs unflattering. To qualify for deâindexing, you generally must prove the content violates specific policiesâfor example, containing sensitive personal data, explicit harassment, or illegal material. Even then, Google may only apply a regional or partial block. Most reputational issues fall outside these narrow categories, forcing individuals and businesses to pursue other avenues such as outreach to the publisher, negotiation, or strategic suppression. Therefore, âHow to Remove Bad Press from Google & Get Rid of Bad Pressâ typically means leveraging SEO, PR, and content strategy rather than direct deletion.
How long does it usually take to push down bad press on the first page of Google results?
Timelines vary based on the authority of the negative source, the competitiveness of your name or brand, and the resources you commit. For local news on a lowâauthority site, impactful movement can occur in a few weeks; for nationally syndicated stories on highâauthority domains, expect several months. Consistent publication of optimized content, backlink acquisition, and targeted digital PR all shorten the timeline by signaling relevance and authority to Googleâs algorithm. Progress is often nonlinearâyou might see a negative result drop five spots overnight, then bounce back before settling lower longâterm. An experienced reputation manager will map milestones so you understand what âsteady progressâ looks like in your situation.
Is paying for Google Ads a quick fix for bad press on organic search?
Running branded search ads can temporarily place your chosen message above organic listings, giving you immediate control of the first thing users see. However, ads are clearly labeled and disappear when budget or campaigns end, while negative organic links remain. Ads donât influence the underlying algorithm, so they donât actually remove or get rid of bad press. Still, ads can buy breathing room while longâterm suppression tactics take effect. They also let you A/Bâtest messaging that can inform your organic content strategy.
What tactics do online reputation experts use to bury negative results?
Experts begin with a forensic audit to catalog every mentionâpositive, neutral, and negativeâthen prioritize targets based on visibility and impact. Next, they create or improve authoritative assets you control, such as your website, social profiles, and thoughtâleadership articles, optimizing each for your key terms. They secure thirdâparty coverage in reputable outlets to add credibility and backlinks. Structured data, internal linking, and media diversificationâvideos, podcasts, slide decksâall signal to Google that your brand owns fresh, multifaceted authority. The final layer is ongoing monitoring to catch emerging negativity early before it gains traction.
Are pressârelease distribution services worth using to combat bad press?
Press releases can seed positive narratives quickly and may earn pickups on highâauthority domains, but modern SEO values originality and depth over massâsyndication. A press release should be part of a broader content plan that includes unique opinion pieces, interviews, and multimedia assets. If the release simply repeats marketing copy, it rarely ranks high enough to displace a negative story. When crafted with newsworthy angles, timely data, and genuine insights, a press release can attract journalists, backlinks, and social shares that collectively push negative results down. Think of distribution as an amplifier, not a silver bullet.
Does deleting my socialâmedia accounts help remove bad press?
Shutting down platforms may feel cathartic, but it often does the opposite of burying negativity. Active, optimized social profiles occupy valuable real estate on page one for branded searches, which crowds out harmful links. Deleting accounts leaves a vacuum that negative stories can fill more easily. Instead, revitalize your profiles with consistent, highâvalue contentâshare press hits, industry commentary, and behindâtheâscenes updates that reinforce credibility. Social engagement also creates fresh signals that Google favors, accelerating suppression efforts.
Can positive customer reviews help push down negative news articles?
Yesâreviews on highâauthority platforms like Google Business Profile, Trustpilot, or industryâspecific sites frequently rank for brandâname searches. A steady stream of authentic, detailed reviews adds trust signals for both algorithms and human searchers. Encourage satisfied customers to mention specifics (products, services, and location) because richer text helps those review pages rank higher. Coupled with schema markup on your website, reviews can surface as starâratings in search snippets, which draw clicks away from negative coverage. Over time, this engagement data contributes to ranking shifts in your favor.
What legal remedies exist if a negative article is defamatory?
If statements are demonstrably false and damage your reputation, you can issue a retraction request or pursue litigation for defamation. A formal legal notice often prompts publishers to correct or remove the story, especially if you provide clear evidence. Courts can issue injunctions requiring takedown or awarding damages, but litigation is costly, public, and slow. Reputation specialists often consult defamation attorneys to determine whether legal action makes strategic sense. Even when successful, legal victories should be paired with SEO work to ensure removed content doesnât linger in search caches.
How much does professional reputation management cost?
Pricing depends on scope: the number of negative assets, authority of the domains hosting them, and complexity of your brand environment. Basic suppression campaigns for a single harmful link might start around $2,000 per month, while multiâlayer efforts for public figures can exceed $10,000 monthly. Good agencies outline deliverablesâcontent pieces, backlinks, media placementsâand provide transparent progress reports. Cheaper âquickâfixâ providers who guarantee instant removal often rely on risky techniques that can backfire. View the expense as an investment in brand equity, akin to advertising or legal protection.
Is it possible to do reputation repair on my own without hiring experts?
DIY approachesâblogging, updating social profiles, requesting edits from publishersâcan move the needle for lowâcompetition personal names or niche brands. Youâll need a solid grasp of SEO, PR outreach, and content strategy to achieve measurable suppression of entrenched bad press. Time commitment is substantial; think hours every week for months. Mistakes such as spammy linkâbuilding or thin content can trigger Google penalties, worsening visibility. Many clients begin DIY, then hire experts when progress stalls or new negative results appear.
How do you measure success in a reputationârecovery campaign?
Key indicators include the downward movement of negative URLs, upward movement of positive or neutral assets, and overall sentiment of pageâone search results. Analytics should track organic clickâthrough rates, brandedâsearch volume, and conversions influenced by brandâname queries. Qualitative feedbackâfrom prospects, partners, or journalistsâoften reveals improved perception before rankings fully stabilize. A reputable agency provides dashboards that map keyword positions and media placements relative to baseline data. Because algorithms constantly evolve, success entails not just hitting a ranking milestone but maintaining it.
Will creating a new business entity hide past negative articles about me?
Reâbranding or forming a new entity can confuse search algorithms temporarily, but journalists and savvy customers quickly uncover ownership ties. Legacy coverage often references former brand names and personal identifiers, which remain searchable. Googleâs knowledge graph links related entities, so negativity can follow you across rebrands. A better approach is to proactively publish the new brand storyâaddressing lessons learned, demonstrating changes, and giving journalists positive angles to update their coverage. Embracing transparency signals authenticity and limits future negative narratives.
How often should I publish new content to keep bad press buried?
Consistency matters more than sheer volume. For most brands, weekly blog posts, biâweekly thoughtâleadership articles, and daily socialâmedia updates create enough freshness signals. Evergreen piecesâcase studies, white papers, and video explainersâanchor longâterm authority, while timely posts around industry news offer spikes in relevance. Diversify formats to appeal to different search intents and SERP features (news carousels, video packs, FAQs). A cadence audit every quarter ensures youâre not merely producing content but strategically filling gaps in the search landscape.
Does negative SEO from competitors make bad press rank higher?
In rare instances, malicious actors can build spam links to amplify a damaging article or create duplicate content that boosts its perceived relevance. Googleâs algorithms generally ignore or neutralize lowâquality links, but coordinated attacks can skew shortâterm visibility. Monitoring backlink profiles with tools like Ahrefs or Google Search Console alerts you to suspicious spikes. A disavow file and a surge of highâquality backlinks to positive assets usually restore balance. Documenting evidence helps if you later pursue legal remedies for unfair competition.
Are paid influencer shoutâouts useful for pushing negative stories down?
Influencer content can generate immediate buzz, social engagement, and backlinks, all of which help dilute bad press. However, sponsored posts alone seldom rank in Google unless hosted on the influencerâs blog or repurposed into longerâform media. For lasting impact, integrate influencer collaborations into a broader campaignâguest articles, joint webinars, or coâcreated whitepapersâso the content lives on multiple highâauthority domains. Always tag sponsored posts properly to comply with platform rules; transparency builds trust and avoids penalties that could negate your efforts.
What happens if I ignore bad press and hope it fades away?
Silence often signals guilt or indifference to observers, which can worsen reputational damage. Negative stories may gather backlinks and social shares over time, solidifying their search positions. Competitors might leverage them in sales pitches, and journalists may resurface the content during future coverage. Meanwhile, potential customers, partners, and investors form opinions without hearing your side. Proactive engagementâcorrecting inaccuracies, publishing counterâcontent, and highlighting positive developmentsâprevents a oneâsided narrative from defining your brand.
Will AI tools help automate the process of removing bad press from Google?
AI can accelerate tasks such as sentiment analysis, keyword clustering, and content ideation, freeing experts to focus on strategy and outreach. Machineâlearning models flag emerging negative chatter early, enabling faster response. However, AI alone cannot negotiate with editors, secure topâtier media coverage, or build genuine relationships for backlink acquisition. Human oversight remains essential to ensure nuanced storytelling, legal compliance, and ethical standards. View AI as a force multiplierânot a replacementâfor experienced reputation professionals.
How do I maintain a clean online reputation once the bad press is gone?
Think of reputation as a living asset that needs regular maintenance, similar to cybersecurity or brand design. Schedule quarterly audits of search results and social sentiment to catch new issues quickly. Encourage continuous positive coverage through expert commentary, community involvement, and customer success stories. Maintain robust media relationships so journalists approach you for clarifications rather than relying on outdated sources. Finally, codify crisisâresponse protocols so your team reacts swiftly if fresh negativity emerges, ensuring âHow to Remove Bad Press from Google & Get Rid of Bad Pressâ becomes preventative rather than reactive.