Local
Surprise: ‘Near me’ brand names don’t rank higher for ‘near me’ searches
'Near me' searches continue to grow, but the tactic of optimizing for these terms can now do more harm than good for local search rankings.
Chris Smith is President of Argent Media, and serves on advisory boards for Universal Business Listing and FindLaw. Follow him @si1very on Twitter and see more of his writing on reputation management on MarTech.
Google Search Console
Reputation attack sites have plummeted in Google, but can still harm
Sites like Ripoff Report, Pissed Consumer and Complaints Board are still a danger for businesses and people with a low online presence. Here's what you can do to decrease the threat.
SEO
7 reasons why you need to update your reputation management strategy in 2020
Whether repairing or proactively managing your reputation, prioritize a multi-pronged approach to build a positive impression for your online identity.
Amazon
How reputation became a major ranking factor in SEO
To stay on top today, you need to be diligent in assessing your site's usability and the quality of its content.
Content
Verdict is in for CEO involved in forging court order over reputation attack
This case highlights the lack of protection and justice available for online defamation victims from Google and other tech companies.
Here’s how to use Twitter to dominate the Google search results
If you want to displace negative content or build a strong brand identity, Twitter can help, says Contributor Chris Silver Smith. Here are 10 ways to use tweets to dominate page one on Google.
Amazon
CEO who forged court order to get Google to remove defamation faces prison
Contributor Chris Silver Smith tells the lamentable story of a sophisticated apparent reputation attack and a victimized company led to take desperate steps to recover.
Local
Twitter SEO: Tricks for reputation repair
If you're looking to fix your personal reputation online, optimizing your Twitter account is an invaluable step. Columnist Chris Silver Smith shares SEO tips to help you increase the ranking of your Twitter profile.
How long does reputation management take?
Columnist Chris Silver Smith discusses the factors that affect the time it takes to clean up online content that damages your name or reputation.
Amazon
Initial Interest Confusion rears its ugly head once more in trademark infringement case
Columnist Chris Silver Smith details recent trademark infringement cases in which site search results pages caused legal issues for retailer sites. E-commerce businesses should take notice!
SEO
Is Ripoff Report subverting Google take-downs?
Previously de-indexed Ripoff Report pages are reappearing and ranking prominently again in Google. Columnist Chris Silver Smith takes a close look at how the site is eluding Google’s page removal processes and how defamation victims — and Google — can fight back.
Apple
Google thaws (a little) on defamation cases
Would-be-legal remedies for online reputation issues are still up in the air, explains contributor Chris Silver Smith, arguing that it may be time to amend the applicable legislation.
Paradigm shift: Has Google suspended defamation removals?
Columnist Chris Silver Smith takes a look at what could be a recent policy shift in Google's longstanding informal policy of granting court-ordered defamation removal requests.
Amazon
10 domain name secrets to repair your online reputation
If you're trying to fix your personal reputation online, looking toward your domain name is a valuable first step. Columnist Chris Silver Smith explains some options beyond setting up YourName.com.
Opinion: Google is biased toward reputation-damaging content
Why does reputation-damaging content seem to appear so quickly in Google’s search results? Columnist Chris Silver Smith outlines his theory on why Google's algorithm can give negative content greater ranking ability than it deserves.
SEO
Are Search Engines Responsible For Reputation? Yes, Virginia, They Are. Big Time!
Columnist Chris Silver Smith discusses the legal issues surrounding online defamation, including search engines' role in helping (or harming) victims.
Google: SEO
The Latest In Advanced Technical SEO From SMX Advanced
Columnist Chris Silver Smith shares expert insights on advanced technical SEO, straight from the mouths of industry veterans!
Content
Advanced Link Auditing & Best Practices For Acquiring Authoritative Links
Contributor Chris Silver Smith shares highlights and takeaways from link building experts at SMX Advanced.
Local
10 Ideas: How To Fix A Damning Business Review
A bad review can hit your business hard, but columnist Chris Silver Smith has 10 ways to turn the negativity around and improve your customer care.
Content
Rev Up The Content Marketing Engine To Achieve Local Liftoff
Looking to bolster your local SEO strategy? Columnist Chris Silver Smith discusses the benefits of content marketing for local businesses.