Remove Negative Information From the Internet

Written by: Tyler July 26th, 2019

Is it possible to remove negative information from the Internet? Yes and no, there are several types of content Google (as well as other search engines) will remove or noindex. 

However, there is some content online that Google typically does not remove. We have listed both types below:

Types of Content You Can Remove

• National identification numbers (i.e. U.S. Social Security Number, etc.)
• Resident Identity Card, etc.
• Bank account numbers
• Arrest Records
• Background Reports
• Credit card numbers
• Images of signatures
• Nude or sexually explicit images that were uploaded or shared without your consent
• Confidential, personal medical records of private people
• Social Networks

Types of Content You Cannot Remove

• Date of birth
• Addresses
• Telephone numbers
• Sex Offender Registry Listings
• Headline News (Temporarily)

<

How to Remove Negative Information From the Internet About an Individual

The internet has afforded us significant growth in the last few decades. It’s difficult to dispute that. Nevertheless, one difficulty is the increased levels and amount of personal information online. 

Yes, it’s excellent when you are capable of instant communication with the entire world, with the ability to gain real-time news updates and stories directly onto your smartphone.

Although you do not want it to come at the expense of your personal safety or security. 

When cybercriminals can locate your name, exact address as well as your email address online, it may lead to pressing issues in the future if you are not careful. 

If these fraudsters get ahold of your bank accounts, credit card data and/or any formal documentation it can have serious consequences on your pockets. 

Dangers involved are identity theft, stalkers, and spamming, as well as financial hardship.

As technological advancements continue (as they will) more and more personal information will only be a few clicks away.

Not to point out the numerous information leaks stemming from social media applications within the past several years. 

Sadly, removing negative information from the internet is not as fast and direct as removing information you control such as your personal information on Facebook or Twitter. 

It demands time, patience, and energy. 

In most cases, you can optimize your safety efforts when online by utilizing encryption software when sending files. 

It is imperative that you invest in the best internet security software as well as antivirus software on the market. 

Deleting Social Media

Going on a hiatus from social media can be an arduous and unbearable mission, but sometimes a break is exactly what you need.

Simply deleting the application from your smart device does not do the trick. It’s simple to inadvertently open your preferred platform on a computer out of habit or to instantly download the application once again. 

Simply deleting the account can effectively stop the user when interacting with tempting social media platforms.

Completely deleting a social media account may be more strenuous than it may appear, however, at the end of the day, you will survive. Who knows you might enjoy the disconnect after trying it.

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat are the most common social media platforms in 2019. Each one has distinct guidelines users must follow before they are able to delete their accounts. 

In some cases, deleting an account can make it improbable to recover.

Facebook: Removing a Facebook account may take weeks before it is finalized. Users must request to delete their account first, as the process then begins may take in upwards of 14 days until the account is fully removed. 

After those 14 days, it transitions into a “deactivated state”.  Afterward, the owner of the account has options, they can either choose to delete the account or reactive it. 

By selecting  “Settings” and then “Your Facebook Information” you can choose the option of deleting information/account or to deactivate it briefly.

Instagram: Please note, once you delete your Instagram there is no going back. 

The photos, followers, direct messages and other knowledge connected to the account will be future deleted.

As with Facebook, an Instagram account can not be deleted within the app itself. So again, in order to remove this account, you must do so from a desktop computer.

Users have to go to the “Delete Your Account” webpage and log in with their username and password in order to continue. 

Then you must choose a reason for deleting that particular Instagram account from the menu presented and enter your password a second time. 

Until you choose a reason for deleting, the account cannot entirely delete it. Once users pick “Permanently delete my account,” the account will be lost indefinitely.

Twitter: The method of deleting an account on Twitter is known as “deactivating”, which can take up to 30-days. 

Users must pick “Settings and privacy” from the options that emerge after clicking the profile symbol. Following the “Account” segment, there’s an opportunity to select “Deactivate your account.” 

Users must pick the account they want to remove and insert their password to finish the deactivation process. 

Following that users follow this process they will have 30-days to reactivate their profile before it is forever deleted.

Snapchat: Users on Snapchat need passage to a desktop as well in order to delete their accounts just as the previous platforms. There’s no alternative to currently removing an account from within the app itself. 

Even if users decide to delete their account, it will remain inactive for 30-days before it’s fully deleted from the app. Only when you sign back in will it reactive, if within that 30-day timeframe.

Here is a quick video on how to delete your Snap indefinitely. Now you are on a great path to removing your information online, negative or not.

<

How to Remove Negative Information From the Internet About a Business

When it comes to running business negativity is bound to cross your path. Whether this issue arises from any unfavorable press or a negative review on Yelp, there are many ways in which you can overcome adversity and triumph over brand crises. 

Here at NetReputation, we consider two types of negative information extremely detrimental to the overall success of businesses in the United States. 

First, we have news articles or bad press,  as society is often quick to hop on the rumor wagon or lash out at negative information they see before researching to facts or truth behind it.

And the second is customer reviews. One negative online review can cost you in upwards of 25% of your total monthly revenue. A majority of this loss stems from a lack of new business you may have acquired. 

Your goal as a business owner should be to obtain a 4-5 star rating on every platform in your industry.

Also as a business owner or vested employee, it is important that you monitor and properly manage the online reputation of your brand. 

If you are not privy to the most update-to-date crisis management strategies it is imperative that you and your entire team gain further knowledge in these aspects. It can and will save your business.

News Articles

Articles are the most straightforward to handle online. You can start by contacting the website owner and request to remove negative information from the internet (or get your lawyer to do so). 

Nevertheless, most website owners display their contact information on their websites. As you could imagine, if you are having an issue with them, lots of other individuals or likely to be in the same boat. Therefore, your request may go unnoticed.

This is when you may want to get a lawyer involved. Or if you are tech-savvy you can run a WHOIS search (if the domain is public) and find a phone number other than what is listed on the website.

Luckily, removing negative information from the internet (or even pushing content down in Google results) is not that difficult, we cannot remove information from the internet unless it infringes upon Google Policies or we can find other reasonings. Meaning if the content is inside Google guidelines, you can only suppress it in the rankings. 

Customer Reviews

It is more probable than not that a dissatisfied customer and/or competitor will leave negative feedback online. 

Whether it is just or unjust, overcoming a negative review will not only take time but lots of effort on your part without the help of an online reputation management company.

Responding to negative reviews in the right way, in a timely manner will help to diffuse the situation.

Your answer will hopefully help to offset the negative review and show others who may read it that you are a caring business owner. Someone that is willing to take responsibility for bad customer service rendered by an employee or simply if they are dissatisfied with your services. 

Acting friendly and professional will help a lot.

How to Remove Negative Information From the Internet

Flag & Fix Inappropriate Reviews.

Then, the next most beneficial thing you can do is build a review page on your company website to display positive reviews for all your web traffic to see.

Furthermore, receiving reviews from your prospective customers should be a component of your business growth online. To increase the number of positive reviews you receive try incentivizing your customers with discounts or gift cards on their next purchase.

When you obtain these type of negative reviews, you must be determined and never back down and always, ALWAYS, respond to disgruntled customers.

Notifying & Updating Search Engines

If and when a particular website decides to remove the negative information you requested there are still things you can do to expedite how you remove the negative information from the internet, especially Google.

Once the page has been deleted, prompting an error code or no content displayed there is a useful tool we like to use called  “Remove Outdated Content”.

After reaching this page there will be a search bar where you can insert the desired URL that you are seeking to have removed. After you do this, press “Request Removal”. 

Now you can kick back and relax. Google’s Support Team typically takes a few days before the update the search results to reflect these recent updates.

Popular Searches for How to Remove Information From The Internet:

If you are still in need of assistance Google is full of knowledgable content at your immediate disposal FOR FREE.

• How to push down negative reviews from Google?
• How do I erase my name from the internet?
• My competitor is saying negative things about my business how do I remove them?
• How to remove negative articles from Google?
• How to get negative search results taken down Google search results?

To learn more about NetReputation’s removal process and how we can assist you with removing negative content from the internet, please complete the form below and one of our specialists will contact you as soon as possible. Learn 
<