Are you wondering how to get rid of a bad reputation that’s negatively affecting your personal or professional life? You’ve come to the right place.
If you’ve ever spent any time online — and who hasn’t? — you know how influential search results and social media can be.Â
Almost 62% of online shoppers search for a company online if they’re not familiar with it, and very few of them will make a purchase if negative reviews show up on the search results page. Plus, according to more than 45% of internet users, one of their main reasons for going online is to research products and brands.
On top of that, 50% of all daters who use online dating apps or sites search for someone they meet online.
In 2025, we all have a diminishing sense of privacy. And many of us hand over personal data all the time without thinking twice about it. Whenever you post on Facebook or get involved in a Reddit thread, you’re telling people online something about you.
If you’re reading this article, odds are that you think your reputation is in danger. Whether you were arrested and have mugshots online, you have a tarnished reputation due to misinformation, or negative stories in the media have led to a damaged reputation, there’s a solution.
In this article, we’ll go over how to get rid of a bad reputation in 2025. Additionally, we’ll discuss what creates a good reputation and how you can start working today to improve your reputation online.
At NetReputation, we work with individuals and businesses to help them build and take control of their online reputation. Give us a call at 844-461-3632 or fill out the form below to learn more.
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How To Spot a Bad Reputation Online
When it comes to determining whether or not you have a bad reputation online, you should know what to look for and consider. For example:
- Are you friendly toward others, especially strangers?
- Does it seem like people trust you or your business?
- Are you reliable, and do you follow through on promises?
There are endless ways that you can develop a negative online reputation. Knowing how to control the elements of a good reputation is what can make a difference for you.Â
Gone are the days of making first impressions in the real world. Instead, people now form their opinions of you or your brand based on what’s found online.
If you really want to know how to get rid of a bad reputation, you must have a proactive online reputation management strategy. Additionally, you need to know how to identify when your digital image is no longer in a positive light.
Let’s go over a few signs that your reputation could use some work.
Negative Results on Google and Other Search Engines
If you searched for your name on Google, do you know what you’d find? Most people feel that their web presence is either minimal or non-existent. That’s not always the case, though.
It’s impossible to know whether or not you have a good reputation online without analyzing it. Yes, you may find that your business has received positive feedback. But it’s also possible that media outlets or negative reviews are causing damage to your reputation without you realizing it.
Furthermore, having no online reputation isn’t necessarily a good thing. By having little to no online presence, users are left to scour the internet for whatever they can find. This can lead them to a buried arrest record, a lien on your home, or other unflattering content.
Negative search results can be a major deterrent for potential employers, school administrators or even friends you make online. A poor online presence can get in your way of getting a job, being accepted to your dream college, or finally meeting up in real life with someone you met on a dating site.
This is why it’s so important to make sure you know what can be found online.
You can take control of your online reputation, whether you’re working on your personal reputation or your professional digital presence. Call us at 844-461-3632 for more information.
Sudden Change in Brand Interactions
If you’ve had a great online presence up to this point, particularly on social media, and then you notice that engagement suddenly drops, this is a sign of a bad online reputation.
It’s important to regularly track engagement signals on your social platforms, including:
- Comments
- Direct messages
- Growth
- Likes
- Shares
- Reviews
That way, if your analytics drastically change, you’ll be able to spot it as soon as possible, figure out what’s going on, and implement the necessary solutions.
Sometimes, this sort of shift can be due to a global event or seasonal change. Other times, though, it can be the sign of a damaged online reputation — and you may not even realize there’s been damage yet. For example, if there’s a controversy you’re not aware of that has to do with your business or industry, it can cause people to stop trusting and engaging with your company online.
Influx of Bad Reviews
Every business gets bad reviews now and then. But if there are a lot of them coming in all at once, or if you’ve neglected them for so long that they’ve built up, this can be a sign of a poor online reputation — or it can lead to one quickly.
Part of your ORM strategy should be to regularly check review sites, industry forums and social media platforms for mentions of your brand. You can even use tools that will do this automatically for you and send a message when a new mention of your company pops up online.
It’s important to resolve customer complaints as quickly and efficiently as possible. Having a pattern of unresolved negative feedback can be a big problem for your online reputation.
Almost 62% of online shoppers search for a company online if they’re not familiar with it, and very few of them will make a purchase if negative reviews show up on the search results page. Moreover, 88% of consumers would use a business that replies to all reviews, both positive and negative, while only 47% would use a business that doesn’t respond to its reviews.
At NetReputation, we work with individuals and businesses to help them build and take control of their online reputation. Give us a call at 844-461-3632 to learn more.
How To Get Rid of a Bad Reputation
In 2025, there are countless ways to improve your reputation. An excellent first step is to get social with your audience.
When it comes to marketing, a lot of your efforts — if not all of them, depending on your business — can be carried out on social media. Popular platforms can reach millions of individuals without even paying for ads.
Use social media to reshape your reputation by routinely posting about your brand. Here are some ideas:
- Share customer testimonials and user-generated content — like a video of a happy customer using your product — to spotlight your brand’s success.
- Post behind-the-scenes content to humanize your brand and build both transparency and trust with your audience.
- Address FAQs and any concerns that may keep someone from becoming a new customer or a loyal customer.
- Go live to make announcements about your brand or products.
- Highlight the work you do for charity or any ethical or sustainability practices your brand has adopted.
In general, when it comes to promoting your brand on social media, anything that is considered admirable, valuable or reputable should be posted.
Speak With a Professional Reputation Management Company Today
At NetReputation, we provide a broad range of services to individuals and businesses who want to create, grow or repair their digital reputation. Whether you’re prioritizing your personal or professional online reputation, our solutions and team of experts can help.
Our ORM services include content removal, review management, branding, content creation and more. It’s time to take back control of how people perceive you online so you can attract the opportunities you deserve.
Call us today at 844-461-3632 or fill out the form below to speak with an expert.
Request a Free Consultation
by Net Reputation