Unfortunately, it’s all too normal to encounter internet defamation from time to time in today’s technology-charged society. No one likes to come across defamatory content on Google when conducting an online search for their name or company name, whether it be a nasty new headline, article, or video. It can very much affect your online reputation.
Seeing this kind of stuff online can be painful when you know something is false. Fortunately, there are things you may take to prevent online slander from showing up in Google search results. But first, let’s talk about what constitutes defamation.
What is Defamation?
Defamation is when someone makes false claims about another person’s character and causes immediate reputational harm. The harm to someone’s reputation may make it more difficult for them to succeed in the future and may cause them to pass up opportunities.
Defamation includes claims that you hurt someone when you didn’t, or someone claiming you stole money from them when you did not, etc.
Several websites on the internet may contain defamatory material:
- Testimonial sites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, Amazon, and Google My Business
- Social networking sites like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
- News reports, printed materials, and online journals
Components of libel:
- The statement was stated matter-of-factly
- The statement was untrue and published
- The statement resulted in harm or damages
It might be challenging to establish any slander without these essential components. You can take steps to clear your name privately and legally if you learn that someone has been spreading untrue rumors about you or your company and there is evidence of a false statement.
What Doesn’t Qualify as Defamation
A false statement being made is the main component of a defamation case. If the opposing party’s statement is accurate, removing that content will be extremely difficult and may even backfire and damage your reputation.
Consider employing a reputation management business if you need reputation aid but cannot demonstrate slander and libel. They are the most qualified to comprehend your account and choose the most effective course of action to restore your reputation online.
What Is Online Defamatory Content?
The good news is that defamatory statements include any inaccurately published online comments that have harmed, damaged, or injured someone’s reputation. This includes entries on social media, content posted online (regardless of size), and even podcasts and films.
Depending on the circumstance, both individuals and businesses can have their online defamation removed. It’s best to decide which circumstance applies to you first.
Content That Defames Individuals
Defamatory content directed at specific individuals is the most frequent form of slander. This might be an opinion piece with unfounded charges, a trending tweet spreading misinformation about you, and more. Libel is very harmful if the statement contains sensitive personal information about you.
Usually, you may ask for removal through Google, or even better, you can ask the poster to delete their post or comments and resolve the issue offline.
Content That Is Derogatory to Businesses
Defamatory remarks about brands and companies can drastically harm their reputations and financial results. You can ask Google to remove any defamatory content if someone makes a false claim about the services’ quality, particularly in online reviews.
You should speak with an internet defamation lawyer who focuses on this area of law in extreme libel situations.
Why It’s Important to Remove Defamatory Content from Google
Defamatory content may score highly in search results, making it simple for visitors to find it about you or your company online. If you don’t stop it immediately, this might quickly damage your reputation.
People are compelled by intriguing and captivating headlines, especially if they make the news. Because news headlines attract so much attention (and subsequently clicks), they rank highly and can seriously harm your reputation, especially if they appear on Google’s front page.
How to Remove Defamatory Content from Search Engines in Steps
Online defamation of you or your company might instantly set off panic alarms. Do not worry! You can correct any libelous information you may have come across in four easy steps.
Step 1: Contact the website’s owner
Believe it or not, contacting the site owner is your best option if you’re wondering how to remove defamation from Google. This is typically a wise initial move. You have the opportunity to look over the data that was posted and offer proof to the contrary. If it’s an online news source, it’s possible that the reporter didn’t obtain accurate or trustworthy sources before creating the article. You can discuss modifications with the editor in that case.
You might also request that your name or company’s name be removed from the headline and state how the article’s contents have harmed you. You can continue to the following step if you do not receive a response or an assurance that they will voluntarily remove the defamatory content.
Step 2: Suppress Defamatory Content
You can utilize the art of suppressing harmful content to prevent the appearance of this destructive content. To rank above the material and move it down in the search results and onto the second page of Google searches, think about starting a new website, blog, or social media account.
Your material will rank higher than the slander if you create new websites and social media profiles using the exact keywords as the libelous stuff. Owning and maintaining your brand phrases online is made easy with this tactic.
You’ll then discover how to ask Google expressly to remove information.
Step 3: Ask Google Directly for Removal
Thanks to Google, you can now report libelous and defamatory content that appears on any of Google’s products.
Go to https://support.google.com/legal/troubleshooter/1114905?hl=en to get started. For reporting takedown requests, go to Google’s troubleshooting page. Then decide which Google product the offending content appears on. File separate reports for each item that contains defamatory material. Now, based on your circumstances, you can select from various possibilities. Today, we’ll choose “Other Legal Issue > Defamation” for our needs. When you’re ready, click “Submit Request.” You can proceed to the next stage if this doesn’t succeed.
Step 4: File a Lawsuit for Defamation
Even the most obstinate offender may change their mind about their content takedown refusals after going through the legal process. You can recover damages and financial losses caused by the libelous content by hiring a lawyer specializing in defamation. Additionally, establishing a solid attorney-client connection will assist you in selecting the best strategy to resolve your case as quickly as feasible.
Your lawyer can assist you in getting an injunction, equivalent to a court order, telling the offender to stop creating defamatory content and ordering them to remove any existing defamatory content on the plaintiff’s behalf. Before filing a lawsuit, this notice is given to the offender to inform them about the harm done and to stop further damage.
It is up to you, the plaintiff, to determine whether you want to launch a case if the offender refuses to take steps to remove the defamatory material.
To Sum Up
When dealing with defamation, you have a variety of options. Several choices are accessible when resolving slander and libel, ranging from immediate and direct dialogue between parties to aggressive legal action. Consider employing reputation management experts if you’re stuck dealing with the fallout from defamatory content. They’ll be able to develop a timeline for restoring your online reputation to the favorable status you once enjoyed.