Dealing with Unintended Search Result Removals: A Guide for Personal Brand Management
In today’s digital landscape, maintaining control over your online presence is essential, especially for creative professionals showcasing their portfolios. However, what happens when a search for your name brings up results that are no longer accessible or have been removed due to legal or privacy concerns? This situation can be particularly perplexing if the removed content belongs to someone with the same name who operates in a similar industry.
Understanding the Scenario
Imagine you’re a professional specializing in animation, with a well-established portfolio site that used to rank highly in Google search results when searching your full name. Recently, you’ve noticed a significant change: your portfolio no longer appears on the first page, and at the bottom of your search results, a message reads, “Some results may have been removed under data protection law in Europe, learn more.” This indicates that certain links have been deliberately removed in compliance with data protection regulations, likely through Google’s legal removal process.
Complicating matters further is the fact that there is another individual with the exact same name operating a design business. Although their focus differs slightly from yours, the similarity in names and industries has led to misunderstandings, and perhaps, unintentionally, your portfolio’s visibility has been affected.
What Causes Search Result Removals Under Data Protection Laws?
Regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe grant individuals the right to request the removal of certain personal data from search engines. When a valid request is submitted and approved, search engines may de-index or exclude specific URLs from search results. This process aims to protect individuals’ privacy rights but can also lead to unintended consequences, such as the removal of legitimate professional content.
Factors to Consider
- Legitimate Removal Requests: Verify if your content was indeed removed following a legal or privacy request, either through Google or other search providers.
- Unintentional Impact: Understand that these removals can inadvertently hide valuable professional content, affecting your online visibility.
- Similarity of Names and Industries: Having a common or similar name to another professional can sometimes cause confusion, especially if they are subject to separate legal or privacy requests.
Steps You Can Take
- Verify the Removal Details
Visit the Google Search Console or any relevant platform where you manage your online presence. Look for notifications or messages regarding any removals or de-indexing. Understand what URLs are