So I'm doing a random google on my own name and a public domain photo of me provided by my local constable is on page 1 of the google page.
I kinda flipped out about it, but the event happened 5 years ago and I've since addressed the problem that led to the event.
So I visit the site, fill out the form to take down photo, get the reply email back, etc, etc. While I'm doing this, in the back of my mind I'm thinking it's probably best to do nothing and give anyone a lead. Click through a couple more SERP's and there's another site (copy cat site) that comes up on page 2 or 3.
So this is all public domain and there's not much I can do directly except:
1) Stay out of trouble
2) Try to outrank the sites with other content.
I go back and check 3 hours later - now another site has be on the 3rd entry, 1st page.
So here's probably what happened.
1) I registered as a live lead, or someone that care about having that information online by de-registering from the first site.
2) The lead has been passed to another site with higher PR or authority so the result pops closer to the top.
What will probably happen if I go to the next site, is that the photo comes off of there, then pushed up to the "Pay" site, where I can get extorted for a couple hundred dollars.
It's a great no ethics money making scheme, and in a way, I admire the idea. I'm just kinda pissed off because frankly, I have enough to worry about with my career, family, home, etc than online reputation management. I have a six figure job that I started shortly after this event with a bunch of ultra conservative people and can easily see how my job could be affected by this, or when I apply for another job, past employers, etc.
I also am aware and support the coverage of information under First Amendment and Freedom of Information , but semi-sensitive information should be a little harder to get than just googling for it with firstname/lastname. If someone wants to find out about my past, by all means, head to the local authority website and do a search there.
So that's the story.
My strategy so far has been to figure out a way to put more relevant content on higher authority sites. Reviews of recent purchases, etc.
Any suggestions? Complain to Google? (haha)
and no, the arrest wasn't for being a gay webmaster. minor offense involving 4 wheels, a late night, and a poker party with drinks.
I kinda flipped out about it, but the event happened 5 years ago and I've since addressed the problem that led to the event.
So I visit the site, fill out the form to take down photo, get the reply email back, etc, etc. While I'm doing this, in the back of my mind I'm thinking it's probably best to do nothing and give anyone a lead. Click through a couple more SERP's and there's another site (copy cat site) that comes up on page 2 or 3.
So this is all public domain and there's not much I can do directly except:
1) Stay out of trouble
2) Try to outrank the sites with other content.
I go back and check 3 hours later - now another site has be on the 3rd entry, 1st page.
So here's probably what happened.
1) I registered as a live lead, or someone that care about having that information online by de-registering from the first site.
2) The lead has been passed to another site with higher PR or authority so the result pops closer to the top.
What will probably happen if I go to the next site, is that the photo comes off of there, then pushed up to the "Pay" site, where I can get extorted for a couple hundred dollars.
It's a great no ethics money making scheme, and in a way, I admire the idea. I'm just kinda pissed off because frankly, I have enough to worry about with my career, family, home, etc than online reputation management. I have a six figure job that I started shortly after this event with a bunch of ultra conservative people and can easily see how my job could be affected by this, or when I apply for another job, past employers, etc.
I also am aware and support the coverage of information under First Amendment and Freedom of Information , but semi-sensitive information should be a little harder to get than just googling for it with firstname/lastname. If someone wants to find out about my past, by all means, head to the local authority website and do a search there.
So that's the story.
My strategy so far has been to figure out a way to put more relevant content on higher authority sites. Reviews of recent purchases, etc.
Any suggestions? Complain to Google? (haha)
and no, the arrest wasn't for being a gay webmaster. minor offense involving 4 wheels, a late night, and a poker party with drinks.
at this ^^^