Online Artist Reputation
Online Artist Reputation
Online Artist Reputation – Have you Googled your name recently? Have you tried each iteration? Were you in ‘Incognito Mode’?
Taking back control of my appearance on Google was something that did not dawn on me until the other day. When, you guessed it, I googled myself. Nothing terrible came up (I’d hope!). The problem is that it was a hodgepodge of misinformation. All my nerdy brain could think was, “My branding! My S.E.O.!” Let’s satisfy the little voice in my head that gets hung up on the details for a moment. It’s not overthinking things this time!
Start in ‘Incognito Mode’, if on Chrome. Or, start a new private window if you are on Firefox. Type in your name and you will see the S.E.R.P., or search engine result page for your name. Fortunately I don’t have too many iterations it could be. As you can tell typing in ‘Chuck Weiselberg’ leads to a bit of a messy page. For context, my goal is to push this site here – Get More Listens Dot Com – to be associated with every possible way one could dream up when typing in my full or artist name into Google. I want my affiliation to reflect the connection to Get More Listens Dot Com, preferably on this front page.
This Isn’t The Case, So What Can I Do?
The humorous part is that it’s not as difficult as you may imagine to fix this. It’s just annoying. Word to the wise, use a fake name for … everything going forward. I’m kidding… Or am I?
There’s privacy laws in many countries. They were a bit of a pain to get in place for businesses (boo-hoo, I agree). Being that they were a pain, though, requirements under the law became standard operating procedure. Meaning, when users haphazardly create accounts they later don’t want reflected on S.E.R.P. pages like I did, there’s still recourse. And where it’s not required by Law, it is just easier for many businesses to adopt policies allowing you access to your information. Why? To not have to maintain two completely different Corporate policies.
Let’s Take My Example Of IMDB To Further Discuss Managing Your Online Artist Reputation
I am definitely not hating on the nerd paradise that is the International Movie Database. It’s an awesome place! The thing is, I am listed for a project I no longer really give much of a care to being associated with. And, IMDB is pretty good at S.E.O. (Search Engine Optimization). To boot! I am a dunce who has forgotten my IMDB password. For further mystery, I don’t even know what e-mail I used!
All Hope Is Not Lost!
Here’s what I did to further control my online artist reputation – Since IMDB was prepared for dunces like me a mile away, I typed in ‘IMDB Customer Support’ on Google and the top option brought me here – https://help.imdb.com/contact –
Cool! We’re Onto Something!
The trouble is I can’t answer question one. I honestly have no clue!
I’m going to select IMDB Contributor for question one. I know that my listing on their site is connected to a film which I did sound work on after College. At least I know this much! From there, I’m a little uncertain. Yes, I do need help with a submission made but it’s not at all new. So, I used ‘Other Data Issue.’
You Are Then Brought To A Contact Form.
In a very short timeframe from completing the contact form I received a follow-up (below). Awesome! I don’t know what’s done from here on their end to correct it but I’ve done what I can! This is also what Google recommends you do to reclaim your result page. If you try to go through them, even they admit it’s a lengthy process.
Why Bother? What Impact Does This Have On Marketing My Music?
Fair point! Online artist reputation is a matter of branding. In other words, the way in which you go about publicly displaying who you are, and what you’re about. It’s important! It’s important because you work hard to cultivate the proper image and represent yourself how you wish. It also happens to be the case that one of the first few places someone may begin to learn more about you is Google. Don’t let Google tell your story!
My Recommendation?
You don’t need the help of a music marketing agency to handle this. Instead, start off in Incognito/Private. This is because Google otherwise has cookies that store info which will skew your results. Be sure to try each instance of your name you can imagine and see what pops-up. For example, I need to double check what is listed for Chuck, Charles and Chuck W., to name a few. Once you do the same, you will hopefully know your credentials and can login to what you notice you want removed. Look for how you can fully close the account. That’s important! If it’s not fully closed you will still be indexed by the site (showing on Google), since whichever site is still claiming ownership over your information. And they’re not in the wrong, you need to ask for it back. Finally, exercise some patience. Even after you gain the attention of a representative you’ll want to allow a few business days for Googles gears to turn enough that they recognize the change.
And That’s It! Take That, Improperly Listed Information Effecting My Hard Work Regarding Online Artist Reputation!
If you would be interested, there’s a whole lot more on branding to read through, found within our premium services section!
Contact Chuck at [email protected] if you have any questions about how to earn listens, or marketing your music!