People always say you should get a grip on your online persona—specifically, on what comes up when you’re searched on Google. But what does that even entail?
If search engine algorithms are a complete mystery to you (and why wouldn’t they be?), then there are some shortcuts you should know about. No, there aren’t any magic buttons you can press to make yourself look like a town hero, but here’s the next best thing: seven moves you can make to generally boost the results that come up.
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Start by Googling yourself. If you don’t know what you’re working with, you won’t know where to go from there. (Fast Company)
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This is especially important when you’re applying for a job. Knowing what a prospective employer might find will give you an idea of what online impression you’re giving off during the job search. (Next Avenue)
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There are simple steps anyone can take to spread his or her name, such as cleaning up already established social media profiles or starting a blog. (Slice)
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Search engines are really abstract, so it can be hard to imagine what’s actually going on. Here’s a helpful infographic that will visualize what’s happening when you’re getting searched. (Mashable)
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Not sure how you can make more points of contact on the web? Increase your participation in blog comments and chat forums to get your name out there even more. (Stafflink)
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Want more tools to improve your marketing tactics? Check out these free ones that will improve your findability. (Buffer)
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Finally, it can be annoying to constantly keep up with your online reputation. So, use this free feature that updates you whenever there’s new information to track. (The Daily Muse)