Did you know that 75% of people never scroll past the first page of Google search results? That means negative, false, or hurtful content on that first page can mess up your reputation, whether you’re a business owner or just trying to get through your day.
But can you permanently remove negative articles from Google? The short answer: It depends on the content and who published it.
This guide covers all possible ways to remove or suppress negative articles, from legal options to SEO strategies and Google’s removal policies.
The Case of Justine Sacco: How One Tweet Destroyed a Reputation
Take Justine Sacco, for example. In 2013, she tweeted, “Going to Africa. Hope I don’t get AIDS. Just kidding. I’m white!” She thought it was a harmless joke, but by the time she landed in South Africa, the tweet had gone viral.
People were outraged, and she was fired from her job, facing massive public backlash. Her reputation was destroyed all because of one tweet.
Remove Negative Articles from Google (9 Simple Ways)
If negative or misleading content is harming your brand, it can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, there are proven strategies to remove negative articles from Google!
Here are nine ways to take control of your search results and protect your brand.
- Violating Community Guidelines
- Protecting Your Personal Information
- Copyright Violations
- Mediation
- Negotiating with Publishers
- Reporting Exploitative Removal Practices
- Non-Consensual and Explicit Content
- The Right to Be Forgotten
- Court Orders
1. Violating Community Guidelines
Many sites like Facebook, Reddit, and Yelp have clear rules about what can and can’t be posted. If you find harmful content, simply look up the site’s community guidelines (type “[site name] + community guidelines” into Google).
For example, here are Yelp’s community guidelines: They outline what you can and can’t post, including restrictions on fake reviews, hate speech, and private information. Always check these rules before posting to ensure your content follows the platform’s policies.
If you find harmful material, review the site’s community guidelines to understand their policies.
Reporting Harmful Content:
| Platform | Community Guidelines | Reporting Page |
|---|---|---|
| Community Standards | Report Content | |
| Content Policy | Report Content | |
| Yelp | Content Guidelines | Report a Review |
Keep in mind that laws like the Communications Decency Act may limit the responsibility of these platforms. If your request is denied, consider alternative actions.
2. Protecting Your Personal Information
If personal info like your home address, phone number, or Social Security number appears online, Google might help by removing links containing it from search results.
Google has a list of personal details they’ll consider removing. If you find any of these, you can submit a removal request to have them taken down.
3. Copyright Violations
If someone posts your copyrighted content without your permission, you can ask for its removal using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Most websites take copyright claims seriously.
Here’s how you can legally file a DMCA takedown notice:
Step 1: Identify the Infringing Content
- Find the exact URL of the content that violates your copyright.
- Take screenshots as proof in case you need legal backup.
- Check if the website provides contact details for copyright issues (often in the footer or “Contact Us” page).
Step 2: Contact the Website Owner (Optional but Recommended)
- If the site has a contact email, send a polite request asking them to remove the content.
- Some websites voluntarily comply to avoid legal issues.
- Use a template like this:
Subject: Copyright Infringement Notice (DMCA Takedown Request)
Hello,
I am the legal owner of the copyrighted content found at [Your Original Content URL]. I have discovered that your website ([Offending Website URL]) has copied this material without permission.
Under the DMCA, I request you remove this content immediately. If no action is taken, I will proceed with a formal takedown request.
Please confirm once the content is removed.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Step 3: File a DMCA Takedown Request with Google
If the website refuses to remove the content, you can submit a DMCA request directly to Google to have it removed from search results.
Go to Google’s DMCA Removal Request Form:
Fill in the required details:
- Your contact information (name, email, and company details if applicable).
- Links to the original copyrighted content (where it was first published).
- Links to the infringing content (URL where the stolen content appears).
- A statement confirming you are the copyright owner (or authorized to act on behalf).
Submit the request and wait for Google’s response. They will review and remove infringing content if the claim is valid.
Step 4: Contact the Hosting Provider
If Google doesn’t act, or the content remains online, you can contact the website’s hosting provider.
Find out who hosts the website using a WHOIS lookup tool:
Submit a DMCA complaint to the hosting provider:
- Most hosting companies have a DMCA submission page or an abuse email for copyright claims.
- Provide the same details as your Google request (original URL, infringing URL, and copyright proof).
4. Mediation
Reaching out to the publisher of negative content directly might help, but it’s not always easy. A reputation expert or third-party mediator can help manage things smoothly. Just be careful, because using the wrong approach could make things worse!
5. Negotiating with Publishers
If a negative post, like a bad review, is hurting your reputation, you might be able to change the situation by talking to the person who wrote it. For example, you could offer a refund and kindly ask them to change or remove their review.
It’s all about finding a solution that works for both sides!
6. Reporting Exploitative Removal Practices
Some websites might ask for money to remove negative content. Fortunately, Google has a policy to remove links from search results if these practices are used. To qualify, certain conditions must be met, like the content not being on a business review site, and you being the subject of the content.
7. Non-Consensual and Explicit Content
If you’re a victim of non-consensual explicit content, including AI-generated “deepfake” videos, Google can help remove it from search results. You can submit a removal request, and many websites also provide reporting tools for such content.
How to Request Google to Remove Explicit Content
If you’re a victim of non-consensual explicit content, including AI-generated deepfake videos, follow these simple steps to request its removal from Google.
- Find the Content & Gather Proof – Copy the URL(s) of the violating content and take screenshots as evidence. Note the website name and hosting provider if legal action is needed.
- Submit a Removal Request to Google – Fill out the Google Content Removal Form with your details, the URLs, and a brief explanation of how the content harms you.
- Report the Content on the Website – Many sites have reporting tools under “Privacy Policy” or “Report Abuse.” If unavailable, contact the site admin directly.
- Track Google’s Response – Google reviews requests and, if approved, removes the content from search results. However, the content may still exist on the original website, so keep monitoring.
- Take Legal Action if Needed – If the site refuses to remove it, consult a legal expert. Some laws protect victims of non-consensual content, and you can also file a DMCA takedown request if copyright applies.
8. The Right to Be Forgotten
In the European Union, there’s a law that allows people to request the removal of outdated or irrelevant content about them. While this is a helpful tool in the EU, it’s not available in the U.S. just yet. But if you live in Europe, it’s a great option!
9. Court Orders
As a last resort, if nothing else works, you can take legal action. A court order declaring that content is defamatory can force websites to remove it.
If they don’t comply, you can submit it to Google, and they’ll remove the link from search results. Just be aware that this could bring public attention and may involve legal costs.
Editor’s Note: But be warned these methods might not always work the same for everyone. Changes in laws, search rules, or your situation could make things a bit trickier.
Does Google Censor Search Results?
No, Google does not manually censor search results. However, it ranks content based on its algorithm, which determines which articles appear at the top and which are harder to find.
Google prioritizes:
- Trusted sources like news websites and official pages.
- Content that follows its guidelines and avoids misinformation.
- User experience, ensuring people get reliable answers quickly.
This means negative content can stay visible if Google considers it relevant and credible.
Why Do Some Search Engines Show Different Results?
Many people notice that Google’s search results look different from Bing or DuckDuckGo for the same search query.
- Google prioritizes authoritative sources and filters out low-quality content to ensure reliable search results. However, studies show that low-quality sites can still rank high despite these efforts.
- Bing and DuckDuckGo show a wider variety of sources, including independent blogs and forums.
- Google filters out low-quality content, while other search engines may include more diverse opinions.
Example: I searched for “third truth about 9/11” on Google. The results showed mainstream sources and fact-checking articles, but did not include any exact matches for the phrase “third truth.”
Then, I searched for the same query on DuckDuckGo. This time, the results included a mix of mainstream sources, independent blogs, and forum discussions, providing a broader range of perspectives.
These differences suggest that Google prioritizes authority and credibility, while other search engines allow a broader range of sources to appear.
A study on 57 controversial topics found something interesting. While search engines don’t directly take sides, they often show more content from certain political viewpoints over others.
This means that even though they aren’t blocking content, the way they rank information can influence what people see and believe.
Google vs. Bing: How Search Engines Rank Content Differently
Understanding the differences between Google and Bing can help when trying to remove or suppress negative content. Below is a comparison of key ranking factors between the two search engines.
| Factor | Bing | |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Authority | Google prioritizes high domain authority websites, like major news sources and government pages. | Bing considers domain authority but also ranks based on exact keyword matching more than Google. |
| E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) | Google heavily considers E-E-A-T for ranking, prioritizing content from credible sources and experts. | Bing factors in authority but relies less on E-E-A-T compared to Google. |
| PDF Ranking | PDFs often rank higher in Google search results. | Bing does not prioritize PDFs as much. |
| Keyword Matching | Google uses semantic search, meaning it understands context rather than just exact words. | Bing relies more on exact keyword matching for rankings. |
| User Engagement (Dwell Time & Long Clicks) | Google measures user behavior, including dwell time, pogo-sticking, and long clicks to determine content quality. | Bing considers dwell time but focuses more on click-through rate (CTR) as a ranking factor. |
| Social Media Influence | Google pulls data from verified social media accounts, giving them more visibility in search results. | Bing does not rely as much on social media verification but considers social shares to some extent. |
| Content Freshness | Google favors fresh and frequently updated content, especially for trending topics. | Bing does not prioritize freshness as much but still considers it for news-related queries. |
| Multimedia Content (Videos & Images) | Google ranks videos and rich media content highly, favoring YouTube results. | Bing prioritizes images and multimedia content, often showing more video results than Google. |
| Suppression Strategies | Suppressing negative content on Google first usually leads to Bing following suit. | Bing follows Google’s ranking patterns, meaning changes on Google impact Bing over time. |
| Page Speed & Core Web Vitals | Google factors in Core Web Vitals, including page speed, mobile-friendliness, and visual stability. | Bing considers page speed but does not emphasize Core Web Vitals as much as Google. |
| Structured Data (Schema Markup) | Google heavily relies on structured data (schema markup) to understand context and enhance rich snippets. | Bing supports schema markup, but it is less critical for rankings compared to Google. |
| AI-Powered Search (Generative AI & SGE) | Google is testing AI-generated search results (SGE) and integrating Bard for deeper search experiences. | Bing has integrated ChatGPT into search, allowing AI-driven responses directly in results. |
How About Pushing It Down? SEO Strategies That Work!
So far, we’ve learned that Google ranks fresh, high-quality, and authoritative content at the top of search results. But what happens when a negative article is stuck on page one?
How can you push it down and regain control of your online reputation?
SEO strategies can help you replace unwanted content with better, more relevant results. An AI SEO agent like KIVA can analyze search patterns and intent, ensuring your content ranks higher while being optimized for Google and ChatGPT visibility.
Here’s what to do:
1. Publish Fresh, High-Quality Content!
The more engaging and valuable content you create, the better your chances of pushing negative results lower. Google loves fresh updates, so consistently publishing blogs, videos, and press releases can help shift rankings in your favor.
Case Study: A company wanted to dominate search rankings, so they used the Skyscraper Technique 2.0. What did they do? They created better, longer, and more detailed content than their competitors.
The result? Their organic traffic skyrocketed by 652% in just seven days!
2. Build Authoritative Backlinks
Google ranks content based on trust. What does that mean for you? If high-authority websites link to your content, Google sees it as more reliable and ranks it higher.
Social media also plays a huge role in reputation management. The more active you are on LinkedIn, Twitter (X), and Facebook, the better your chances of appearing at the top of search results.
Studies have shown that the first organic result in Google Search has an average click-through rate (CTR) of 39.8%, while the second and third positions have CTRs of 18.7% and 10.2%, respectively.
This means that if you want to take control of your online presence, aiming for the top positions in search results is crucial!
- What can you do? Guest post on high-authority sites to earn backlinks.
- How can you stay relevant? Keep your social media active and updated.
- Why does this work? Positive media coverage shifts online perception and improves rankings.
3. Launch Positive PR Campaigns
If negative content is hurting your reputation, what’s the best way to counter it? Replace it with positive news! A strong PR campaign can reshape how people see you while filling search results with press releases, success stories, and positive testimonials.
- How can you use PR? Publish press releases about achievements and industry insights.
- Who can help? Work with journalists, bloggers, and influencers to share your story.
- Why does this matter? More positive content means less visibility for negative articles.
Case Study: A healthcare provider struggled with negative online content that scared away potential patients. They tackled the issue with a smart PR strategy, creating positive content, using search engine marketing, and boosting public relations efforts.
The result? Negative content lost visibility, and patient trust improved.
Challenges in Removing Negative Articles and How to Overcome Them
Removing negative articles from Google is not always easy. Many websites refuse to take content down, and legal action can be expensive and time-consuming. Here’s a breakdown of the common challenges and how to tackle them effectively.
| Challenge | Why It Happens | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Websites Won’t Remove Content | News sites and blogs rarely delete articles unless they violate policies. | Use NeuroSentiment Reputation Reversal to create high-ranking positive content that pushes negative articles down. |
| Google Won’t Remove the Link | Google only removes content that violates privacy laws, copyright, or explicit content policies. | If eligible, submit a Google removal request. If not, use SEO suppression by publishing high-quality, optimized content. |
| Legal Action is Expensive | Suing for defamation is costly and slow, and can sometimes draw more attention to the negative content (Streisand Effect). | Instead of lawsuits, work with reputation experts to publish trust-building, authoritative content that outranks negative press. |
| Negative Content Still Ranks High | Some negative articles stay on page one because of strong backlinks and engagement. | Use structured data (schema markup), high-authority backlinks, and social proof to boost credibility and improve ranking. |
| Social Media Spreads Negativity Fast | Viral posts can amplify negativity, making it harder to control the narrative. | Launch a positive PR campaign, engage with your audience, and use real testimonials to rebuild trust and shift public perception. |
NeuroSentiment Reputation Reversal: Turning Negative Search Results into Positive Ones
Instead of struggling to remove negative articles, NeuroSentiment Reputation Reversal changes the story. It uses AI-powered sentiment analysis to push positive and trustworthy content higher in search results, replacing harmful articles with content that builds credibility.
How It Works
- AI Sentiment Analysis: AI scans negative articles to find common negative words and emotional triggers that affect your reputation.
- Content Strategy Development: A counter-narrative is created using expert opinions, real success stories, and verified facts to shift public perception.
- SEO and Structured Data: Schema markup (Review, FAQ, Article schema) is added to increase credibility and improve how Google ranks your content.
- Positive Engagement from Real People: Social media campaigns, user testimonials, and interactive content help spread authentic positive feedback, making it more visible online.
- Continuous Monitoring and Updates: Analytics track changes, allowing you to improve strategies based on engagement, ranking, and user responses.
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FAQs
Can I pay Google to remove a negative article?
How long does it take to remove content from Google?
Can I sue Google to remove content?
Do negative articles disappear over time?
Conclusion
Negative content online can seriously harm your personal or business reputation. Seeing a harmful article on Google can feel frustrating, but there are ways to manage and reduce its impact.
In this blog, we’ve learned how to remove negative articles from Google using legal actions, policy violation reports, and SEO. High-quality content, strong backlinks, and positive PR can push negative articles down.
Take control of your online presence today with smart reputation management strategies!
