Interesting! So you now have a bit more power over your search rank. Google has introduced a new tool that allows you to create your own google profile so that when you’re searched… your google profile shows up – your google profile that you created.

http://www.google.com/profiles

Your digital footprint represents you personally and professionally whether you intend it to or not. It’s too easy these days for people to get the inside scoop on you – whether they are thinking of dating you, hiring you or looking at your uni application – people will do a search on you and make a judgement based on what they find.

www.pipl.com is one of many serach engines used to get a better glimpse of someone. Punch your name in to see what it has on you. First Last and FirstLast versions of your name should be searched.

So what happens if the search of your name reveals some not so good things? As of today, there is no guarantee you can ever rid yourself of it… but here’s what you can try:

1. Contact the web adminsitrator of the site that contains the information of you. Ask them to remove it.

2. Mitigate – or bury it! You can easily do this by getting active online in ways that will improve your personal brand. Open an account with linkedin, twitter, start a blog, comment <intelligently> on other people’s blogs. Remember to ensure you maintain these sites at least once a week to keep your digital footprint looking healthy.