Warning: What does Google say about you?

Today I was doing my usual search to see what Google says about me and found myself clicking the “books” query for the first time.  And there it was.  #1 in the search – Arts and crafts societies in America: the division of social and aesthetic reform by Julia Gorzka.  That surprised me.

Readers, that book was my master’s thesis.  There is one published copy in existence and it’s located in the library of the Bard Graduate Center in a townhouse on the Upper West Side. (Sidebar: you have to meet one of us to know about my niche in the arts – my master’s is in the History of Design & Decorative Arts.  Hence I was curating content before I understood what the internet was.  But I digress, that’s a story for another blog post.)

Only 1 printed copy of it in the world.  And Google knows about it.  Woah.

The moral of this story is be aware.  Be warned.  Google yourself regularly.  Have your Google alerts set up?  Good.  Still Google yourself.  Alerts are not infallible.  They never told me about my book.

What’s Your Digital Footprint?

Whenever I’m speaking on social media I talk about digital footprints and the need to be aware of what Google, Bing and Yahoo say about you.  For that matter, you never know when you or your company may be the subject of a conversation happening on Twitter.  Like it or not, want it or not – you’ve got a digital footprint.  Even if you are not on facebook, have not written a master’s thesis or write a blog – Google will more than likely find something published somewhere that includes your name.  And it will come up in the search engines.  That is your digital footprint.

Are you listening?

When was the last time you Googled yourself or your company?  Did you click beyond the general search to see what is attached to your name under blogs and videos?  Find any surprises?

Monitor and listen to what is being said online about you and your company.  Because people (a.k.a. your clients, your prospects, your employer, a potential employer, and if you are single – anyone you are going out on a date with) are going to look you up online.

Reputation Management

Have a plan on how you will respond to positive content (remember your manners and say thank you) and negative commentary (it’s called crisis management).  It’s only a matter of time before you find something surprising.  Don’t be caught with your head in the sand like Domino’s did.  Plan ahead.  Be prepared.

Need help?  Call me.

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