How to Control Bad Internet PR

It's very hard to control what is said about your or your organization online. Virtually anything, good or bad, can be posted on the Internet. However, there are things you can do to limit the effects of negative information once it's out on the Web. And, of course, you can always control what you (or those from your organization) post online, publishing positive information about your organization easily. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Reduce Negative Information About Your Organization Online

1. Request that negative articles and posts about your organization be removed from websites. Be aware that many websites and bloggers will refuse to do so, but asking is the easiest method to use. Be polite and do not attempt to threaten or pressure the person you ask.
2. Ask for a chance to respond. Many websites are built with a community structure, and it may be as easy as signing up for a free account. Don't attack the website or its users, however. Just calmly address the issue at hand. If you aren't able to control your temper, readers will focus on that rather than on your response.
3. Consult a lawyer if you feel that any information appearing on the Internet about your organization is libelous, meaning that you can prove it is a lie but is presented as fact. It is possible to take matters of libel to court and ask a judge to order their removal.
4. Treat websites and blogs as you would traditional outlets like newspapers or television stations. Send them your PR materials, including press releases about positive actions your organization has taken to correct the damaging issue.
5. Post positive information about your organization to the Internet, whether it's through your own website or through alternative channels. If you put up enough information, and spread it around to different places, it is possible to reduce the visibility of bad PR by lowering its search engine rankings.

Tips & Warnings

• It is easier to protect your organization from bad publicity online if you maintain a website. You can better direct your own PR if you have material already online about your organization. Websites are relatively inexpensive to set up and maintain.
• It is worthwhile to search for your organization's name on various search engines on a regular basis, to check what is being posted about your organization and figure out how to respond to it.
• Even if you can convince a website to remove negative information about your organization, it can still appear on search engine results. It could also be copied to other websites.