Guide series — still being written
Negative, Mistaken, and Outdated Results: The Legitimate Playbook
From the Personal Reputation Management team · Last updated October 19, 2026
Short answer: Deal with a concerning result by classifying it first — namesake, false, outdated, or true-but-unflattering — then using the route that fits: publisher corrections, platform reporting, or Google's tools for the categories Google accepts. Nobody can honestly promise removal. The main guide in this series, including people-search and review subsections, is fully published below.
Why this matters for ordinary people
One unfair result can cost an ordinary person a client or a job, and panic is the market that scams sell into. A calm classification and a documented, legitimate request work more often than threats — and never make things worse.
What this series will cover
Classifying results, writing a correction request that gets read, platform reporting categories, what Google does and does not remove, responding to a personal review, and when a situation belongs with an attorney (general information only, not legal advice). The main guide is published; deeper the guides below are listed with what each will cover.
Where to start today
Document before you contact anyone: the address, the date, exactly what is wrong, and your evidence. Then work the main guide's playbook in order — source first, search engine second.
Guides in this series
- How do I deal with a negative or mistaken result about me?Complete guide
First, verify two things: that the result is actually about you (not a namesake) and what exactly is wrong with it — false, outdated, mistaken identity, or simply unflattering but true. False or mistaken content has legi…
- How do I write a correction request that gets read?Still being written
Keep it short, specific, and evidenced: identify the exact statements that are wrong, state the correct facts, attach proof, and ask for a correction or update — not a favor. Send it once, completely, to the publisher's …
- What do I do about outdated information about me online?Still being written
Outdated is the most fixable category: old titles, former employers, old cities, resolved matters described as current. Ask each publisher or directory for an update with the correct facts and dates, claim listings you a…
Honest by design — including what we don't do
What we do
- Show you what people find, result by result, and ask you to confirm what's actually you.
- Build your personal site from facts you approved — nothing is published without your approval.
- Use licensed search data and official tools only. No scraping.
- Keep watch weekly, in plain English, with one clear next step.
What we never do
- No fake reviews, fake profiles, fake news, or bought links.
- No bogus takedown notices, and no promises to remove results or guarantee rankings.
- No searching for anyone but you, and we never sell your data.