Step 1: Understand what you are dealing with
Before you can fix your search results, you need to know exactly what they look like. Search your name on Google (in a private/incognito window so your personal browsing history does not affect the results). Search for:
- Your full name
- Your name plus your profession (e.g., "Jane Smith surgeon")
- Your name plus your city (e.g., "Jane Smith Sydney")
- "Dr [your name]" if applicable
Screenshot the first two pages for each search. Classify each result as positive (you control it), negative (damaging), or neutral (not harmful but not helpful).
Step 2: Claim your profiles
Create or claim profiles on every high-authority platform relevant to your profession:
- LinkedIn (Domain Authority 98) — the single most impactful profile
- Medium (DA 95) — free publishing platform
- Substack (DA 89) — newsletter platform with strong SEO
- YouTube (DA 100) — even a basic channel helps
- Twitter/X (DA 94) — for professional commentary
- Professional directories — industry-specific platforms
Use your full professional name consistently across all platforms. Same name, same photo, same professional description.
Step 3: Build your website
If you do not have a personal website, create one. A domain that includes your name (yourname.com.au) sends the strongest identity signal to Google. Include:
- A detailed bio page
- Your professional experience and qualifications
- A blog or articles section (this is critical for ongoing SEO)
- Contact information
- Structured data markup
Step 4: Publish content
This is the most important step and the one most people skip. Publishing regular, high-quality content on your website and across platforms creates multiple indexed pages tied to your name. Each piece of content is another potential page one result.
Write about your area of expertise. You do not need to be a professional writer. One well-considered article per month on a topic you know deeply is more valuable than weekly posts about nothing in particular.
Step 5: Be patient and consistent
Search results do not change overnight. Expect 3-6 months of consistent effort before significant improvement. The good news is that once positive results are established, they tend to hold their positions with moderate ongoing maintenance.
When to get professional help
If your search results include government domain content (AHPRA, HCCC, court records), media coverage from major outlets, or multiple negative results dominating page one, a DIY approach may not be sufficient. These are the hardest results to displace and typically require a more intensive, strategic approach.
Contact: clare@narrativedigital.com.au
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fix what Google shows for my name?
Create profiles on high-authority platforms (LinkedIn, Medium, Substack), build a personal website, and publish regular professional content. Over 3-6 months, these new results compete with and displace negative content.
How long does it take to change Google search results?
Typically 3-6 months for meaningful improvement with consistent effort. Government domain results may take longer. The timeline depends on the authority of negative results and your existing online presence.
Can I fix my search results myself?
For mild cases (a single bad review, thin negative content), DIY approaches can work. For serious cases involving media coverage or government domain results, professional help is usually needed.