You’re going about your day, and then someone sends you a link. It’s a news story with your name in the headline. It’s old, it’s unfair, or it’s taken out of context. But there it is. Online. Public. On page one of Google.
Now what?
This guide walks you through what to do if a negative news article about you or your business appears online. You’ll learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to protect your name moving forward.
Why Negative News Articles Stick Around
News websites rank high in search results. Google trusts them because they have high authority. Even if the story is outdated or no longer relevant, it can follow you for years.
According to a Pew Research Center survey, 62% of U.S. adults get their news online. That means your name in a negative article isn’t just visible, it’s amplified.
One client shared, “I had an article from 2015 about a failed project. Every time I applied for a new contract, it was the first thing people found. I had to explain myself over and over.”
Step 1: Don’t Panic
Take a breath. One article doesn’t define you. People bounce back from worse. But you do need to take action.
Avoid emotional responses. Do not comment on the article, share it, or draw attention to it. The goal is to reduce its visibility, not boost it.
Step 2: Check if the Article Can Be Removed
Some articles can be taken down. It depends on the source, the laws involved, and the content of the story.
When can it be removed?
- The article contains false or defamatory statements
- It violates privacy laws or court orders
- It includes sensitive personal information
- The subject of the story was cleared or the charges were dropped
If any of the above apply, contact the publisher and request removal or an update.
Keep your message short, polite, and factual. Include court records, documents, or corrections if you have them.
Step 3: Push It Down With Better Content
If the article is accurate but outdated, removal is unlikely. Your best bet is suppression.
What does that mean?
Suppression is the process of building new, positive content that ranks higher than the negative article. Once the article drops to page two or lower, most people will never see it.
According to a Moz study, 92% of users never go past the first page of Google results.
You win by crowding it out.
Step 4: Build Your Online Reputation
Here’s what you can start doing now to take back control.
Create a personal website
Use your full name as the domain. Add a bio, work samples, blog posts, and links to your profiles. Update it often.
Update social profiles
Google trusts LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and even YouTube. Make sure your profiles are complete, active, and linked to your name.
Publish content on other sites
Write guest articles. Start a podcast. Share your expertise. Every article or interview with your name helps push the negative story down.
Join business directories
Claim your profile on sites like Crunchbase, Yelp, or Google Business. These listings rank high and give you control over what people see.
Step 5: Work With a Reputation Expert
If the article is hurting your career or costing you money, consider hiring a service that handles suppression for you.
A firm like Reputation Flare specializes in this kind of cleanup. They create positive content, optimize it for Google, and monitor your name across the web.
One business owner shared, “After my startup failed, a harsh article showed up in every search. Reputation Flare helped bury it within three months. My new investors never saw it.”
Step 6: Monitor Your Name
Set up Google Alerts for your name and business. It’s free. You’ll get an email every time something new is published.
Also check tools like:
- BrandYourself
- Mention
- Talkwalker
These help you track mentions, so you can respond quickly.
What Not to Do
Don’t respond to the article
Commenting can trigger Google to reindex the page. That can boost its ranking. Silence is safer.
Don’t pay shady removal sites
Some sites charge to remove content they published themselves. Then they repost it. This is called a “pay-for-play” model. Avoid them.
Don’t fake reviews or bios
Google is smart. Fake content usually doesn’t rank well and could hurt your credibility.
The Long Game: Stay Visible for the Right Reasons
Fixing a negative news article isn’t about one quick action. It’s about managing your online presence long term.
Stay active. Keep posting. Be searchable on your own terms.
People will find what you want them to find if you put it out there first.
Final Thoughts
A negative article can feel like a spotlight you didn’t ask for. But it doesn’t have to stay that way.
Use the tools in your corner. Build your content. Own your story. And if it feels like too much to tackle alone, there are professionals ready to help.
Services like Reputation Flare are built for situations exactly like this. They’ve helped business owners, CEOs, doctors, and everyday people take back control of their online reputations.
Because everyone deserves a second chance online.
