Sensitive personal data
Home addresses, phone numbers, and family details listed on people-search sites.
Personal reputation
Understand What Appears About You Online
Employers, clients, partners, and neighbors often search your name before they meet you. Personal reputation management helps you see what appears, separate accurate information from outdated or sensitive information, and decide what to address first.
Who This Is For
- Executives and senior leaders
- Professionals, including clinicians, attorneys, and consultants
- Entrepreneurs and founders
- Job seekers and career changers
- Personal brands, creators, and speakers
- Public-facing professionals such as agents, teachers, and local officials
A Simple Self-Audit You Can Do Today
- Search your full name in a private window, and try variations with your city, employer, and profession.
- Check image results for photos that could be misattributed or shared without permission.
- Review your social profiles as a stranger would. Log out or use a private window, and check what is public.
- Check people-search and data broker sites for your home address, phone number, and relatives' names.
- Note what is outdated, inaccurate, or sensitive, and decide what to address first.
For a full walkthrough of exposed personal information, read how to remove personal information from Google and how to remove information from people-search sites.
Common Types of Reputation Risk
Outdated coverage
Old news, closed cases, or profiles that no longer reflect your current role.
Inconsistent profiles
Different job titles, names, or photos across platforms that confuse searchers.
Impersonation
Fake accounts or profiles using your name or photo. Report them to the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I see what appears about me online?
Search your full name in a private browser window, then check image results, news, social profiles, and people-search sites. Repeat the search with your city or employer, since results change with context.
What should I do about a people-search listing with my address?
Most people-search sites offer an opt-out process, which is usually free. Some US states also give residents a statutory right to request deletion of certain data. Our guide on removing information from people-search sites walks through the steps.
What if the information is false or is being used to harass me?
Keep records, including screenshots with dates and URLs. For threats or harassment, contact local law enforcement. For defamation or other legal questions about your situation, speak with a licensed attorney in your state. We do not provide legal advice.
I am job searching. Should I worry about what employers find?
Many employers search candidates online. Make sure your professional profiles are current and accurate, and remove or update outdated personal information where you can. A simple, consistent professional presence is usually more effective than trying to hide everything.
Protect Your Reputation
Start with a free preliminary scan of your name, then decide what to address first.