Negative search results—whether they’re unfavorable news articles, bad reviews, or misleading information—can linger on the first page of Google for years, damaging your credibility.

Fortunately, there are ethical and effective strategies to push down harmful content and replace it with positive, accurate information. This guide will walk you through proven techniques to bury negative search results and regain control of your online presence.

Why Negative Search Results Are Harmful

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand the impact of negative search results:

Lost Opportunities – Employers, clients, and partners often research you online before making decisions. Negative content can cost you jobs, sales, and partnerships.
Damaged Trust – Bad reviews or scandalous headlines can erode trust, even if they’re outdated or misleading.
SEO Persistence – High-ranking negative content can stay on Google’s first page indefinitely if not addressed.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Before attempting to bury negative content, consider whether it can be removed legally. If the content is defamatory, false, or violates privacy laws, you may be able to:

File a legal takedown request (if the content is libelous or violates terms of service).
Request removal from Google (under EU’s “Right to Be Forgotten” laws or DMCA for copyright violations).
Contact the website owner and ask for a correction or removal.

If removal isn’t an option, the next best strategy is to push negative results down with positive content.

Step-by-Step Guide to Burying Negative Search Results

1. Create High-Quality, Optimized Content

The most effective way to push down negative results is to outrank them with better, more relevant content. Google prioritizes fresh, authoritative pages, so creating new assets is key.

Types of Content to Publish:

Personal or professional website (e.g., a portfolio, blog, or business site).
Social media profiles (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram—ensure they’re public and optimized).
Press releases (published on reputable sites like PR Newswire or Business Wire).
Guest articles (contribute to industry blogs or news sites with backlinks to your site).
Video content (YouTube ranks well in Google; post professional videos related to your expertise).

SEO Best Practices:

Use keywords related to your name or brand (e.g., “John Smith Marketing Expert”).
Ensure content is shareable (encourage engagement to boost rankings).
Build backlinks from high-authority sites to increase domain strength.

2. Leverage Social Media and Professional Networks

Since social profiles often rank highly, actively maintain these accounts:

LinkedIn – A well-optimized LinkedIn profile can rank #1 for your name.
Twitter/X – Regular posts with your name can help push down negative links.
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok – Public business or personal profiles can dominate search results.

Pro Tip: Use consistent branding (same name, profile picture, and bio) across all platforms for better SEO.

3. Publish Press Releases and News Articles

Positive news coverage can overshadow negative results. Consider:

Hiring a PR firm to secure media placements.
Writing press releases for major milestones (awards, product launches, charity work).
Getting interviewed on podcasts or industry blogs.

Sites like Forbes, HuffPost, and Medium can rank highly and push down negative content.

4. Encourage Positive Reviews and Testimonials

If the negative content is a bad review, flood the zone with positivity:

Google My Business – Ask satisfied customers to leave 5-star reviews.
Yelp, Trustpilot, Glassdoor – More positive reviews dilute negative ones.
Video testimonials – Post on YouTube and embed them on your website.

Note: Never fake reviews—Google penalizes this. Instead, proactively request feedback from happy clients.

5. Use Reputation Management Services

If DIY efforts aren’t enough, consider professional reputation management services, such as:

BrandYourself – Helps individuals suppress negative search results.
ReputationDefender – Specializes in online reputation repair.
SEO agencies – Can execute advanced content and backlink strategies.

6. Monitor and Maintain Your Online Presence

Burying negative results is an ongoing process. Regularly:

Google yourself to track rankings.
Set up Google Alerts for your name/brand.
Update your content frequently to keep it fresh.

Negative search results don’t have to haunt you forever. By creating high-quality content, optimizing social profiles, securing media coverage, and encouraging positive reviews, you can push harmful links off the first page of Google.

The key is consistency and persistence—SEO doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right strategy, you can reclaim your online reputation.

Need help? Consider consulting an SEO expert or reputation management firm like RepHaven.com to accelerate the process. Your digital footprint is too important to leave to chance—take control today!

How to Bury Negative Search Results: A Comprehensive Guide