If you have ever wondered who needs personal reputation management or corporate reputation management, the answer is: every person or enterprise could greatly benefit from online reputation management.

When you think about it, most if not everyone with access to the internet is going to look up an individual or business at least once in their life—if not many more times.

What is scary about this is we often don’t know what other people have posted about us on the Internet, whether it be a negative review, risqué photo, a repost of something you once posted, and now wish to retract, et cetera.

What Is Online Reputation Management Exactly?

By definition, online reputation management is influencing or managing a person’s or organization’s online reputation or image.

In many cases, online reputation management firms employ search engine optimization tactics to influence or manage a person’s or organization’s online reputation, but can also include taking legal action against those who refuse to take down negative information posted about you online.

For example, if an individual or company has posted fake negative reviews about your eCommerce business, and you can prove them as being malicious, you can hold the perpetrators liable under the law for defamation.

Before the advent of personal reputation management and corporate reputation management, this type of business fell under one umbrella: public relations (PR) management. However, the Digital Age has changed how people manage their reputation; PR management involves many more facets than before.

It’s not uncommon for PR and SEO specialists to work hand-in-hand, as much of the PR work has to be done involving what people are finding out about you in the search engine results pages (SERPs). This means SEO plays a huge role in online reputation management.

What Are Some Ways to Self-Manage Your Online Reputation?

One of the best ways to self-manage your online reputation is by not posting anything that is potentially not “politically correct.” When it comes to your social media accounts, there is no need to share your political, religious, or personal opinions about touchy subjects.

It might be true that you should have the freedom to express your feelings, opinions, or viewpoints. However, the fact of the matter is, people and organizations are looking at what you have and what you are posting online—whether or not you like it.

The First Amendment (Amendment I) doesn’t protect you from others secretly harboring resentment against you for things you post on your social media or elsewhere online. Furthermore, depending on what you post, employers or clients can and will cut you loose for posting anything considered racist, inflammatory, or socially unacceptable.

How to Get Negative Posts or Reviews Removed From Another Site?

When it comes to removing negative posts or reviews from another site, it requires the assistance of a skilled reputation management firm. Both personal reputation management and corporate reputation management solutions include this type of service.

According to JW Maxx Solutions, a huge part of creating and maintaining brand loyalty involves corporate reputation management. This is because brand loyalty and what consumers see about your company online go hand-in-hand. It’s not only potential customers who can be affected by negative online PR; the customers you presently have can be influenced by the negative online press as well.

If you’re interested in learning more about personal reputation management or corporate reputation management solutions, be sure only to hire the best online manage firm to handle your online reputation.