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How to Remove Personally Identifiable Information from Google

by Sean Hakes· June 03, 2024· in ORM· 0 comments

Protecting your personal information and family online is crucial. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) can include your name, address, phone number, email, and other sensitive data. Unfortunately, this information is often readily available on the internet, putting you at risk for identity theft, harassment, and other criminal activities. Thankfully, there are ways to remove this information from Google and other online sources. Taking steps to ensure your privacy can prevent many problems and give you peace of mind about your digital footprint. What is Personally Identifiable Information? Personally Identifiable Information (PII) refers to any data that can be used to identify an individual. This can range from obvious details like your name and address to sensitive information like your Social Security number or financial records. Specifically, PII can include: Sites like Spokeo collect and sell your information, making it accessible to anyone willing to pay for it. This can lead to identity theft, stalking, and other privacy invasions. Protecting your PII is essential to maintain your privacy and security. Misuse of Personally Identifiable Information When your PII is readily available online, it can be misused in various ways. Here are five common scenarios where your PII can be exploited: Removing PII …

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Protecting Your Google Business Profile from Competitor Sabotage

by Sean Hakes· May 31, 2024· in SEO· 0 comments

Maintaining a strong online presence is crucial for any business today. A key part of this is your Google Business Profile (GBP), which helps potential customers find you, see reviews and get essential information. Unfortunately, competitors or other malicious actors can exploit the system and suspend your profile. This article describes a real incident where a competitor falsely reported a business, leading to its GBP suspension, and offers strategies to protect your profile from similar attacks. The Incident One of our clients recently experienced the suspension of their Google Business Profile. A competitor visited their location, did not see a prominent sign with the business name, and reported the business as non-existent. Although the client had a sticker in the front window, it was not visible in the photo submitted by the competitor. Consequently, Google suspended the business’s profile, and the competitor’s business started appearing in search results, diverting potential customers. We quickly identified the issue and successfully appealed the suspension by proving the business’s location and legitimacy. How We Resolved the Issue To appeal the suspension, we followed these steps: After reviewing our appeal, Google reinstated the business profile, restoring normal operations. This incident underscores the importance of being …

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How to Stop Competitors Bidding on Your Brand Name with Google Ads

by Sean Hakes· May 31, 2024· in SEM· 0 comments

One of the significant challenges businesses face today is competitors bidding on their brand name with Google Ads. This practice, known as brand bidding, can divert potential customers away from your site and harm your brand’s reputation and revenue. While it’s a common tactic, there are ways to address and mitigate its impact. This guide provides an overview of the harm caused by brand bidding and general strategies to stop competitors from bidding on your brand name with Google Ads. The Harm Caused by Competitors Bidding on Your Brand Name When competitors bid on your brand name, it can have several detrimental effects: General Strategies to Stop Competitors from Bidding on Your Brand Name While specific legal or technical methods to stop competitors from bidding on your brand name can be complex, there are several general strategies you can employ to mitigate the impact: Addressing Indirect Brand Bidding Sometimes, competitors may not be directly bidding on your brand name but rather on keywords that include parts of your brand name, such as industry terms or services you offer (e.g., “plumbing,” “HVAC,” or “personal injury lawyer”). Even in these cases, there are strategies to ensure they don’t show up and take …

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Online Reputation Management in Castle Rock, CO: How Sean Hakes Consulting Can Help

by Sean Hakes· May 26, 2024· in ORM· 0 comments

Your online reputation is more important than ever in today’s digital age. Whether you’re an individual or a business, what people see about you online can significantly impact your personal and professional life. At Sean Hakes Consulting, we specialize in online reputation management (ORM) services explicitly tailored for Castle Rock, CO clients. In this article, we’ll explore the various scenarios that might necessitate ORM services and how we can help you restore and maintain a positive online presence. Understanding Online Reputation Management Online reputation management involves monitoring, addressing, and mitigating search engine results or online content that could damage a person’s or business’s reputation. This includes a wide range of services, from removing negative articles, images, and videos to managing social media profiles and promoting positive content. The goal is to ensure that when someone searches for you or your business online, the results are favorable and accurately represent who you are. Scenarios Requiring Reputation Management There are numerous situations where reputation management might be necessary. Perhaps something silly from your past has resurfaced, causing embarrassment or damaging your reputation. Maybe you made a mistake that was picked up by the media, and now those articles dominate your search results. …

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Castle Rock SEO Services: Your Local SEO Expert

by Sean Hakes· May 14, 2024· in SEO· 0 comments

When we’re talking about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in Castle Rock, Colorado, no one is better suited to help your business succeed than a true local expert. With 23 years of experience in the field and deep roots in the community, I bring unparalleled knowledge and expertise to the table. When I talk about SEO, I am bringing experience leading the digital marketing efforts for some of today’s largest brands, including Amazon, Home Advisor, Lending Tree, and others. My Background I’ve lived in Castle Rock since 2012 and grew up in the area, giving me a unique perspective on the local market. Over the past 23 years, I have honed my SEO skills and gained extensive experience helping businesses improve their online visibility. This deep understanding of both the SEO industry and the Castle Rock community allows me to create tailored strategies that meet the specific needs of local businesses. I have seen the evolution of search engine algorithms and marketing strategies in my career. This experience has taught me the importance of staying ahead of the curve. SEO isn’t static; it’s a dynamic field that requires continuous learning and adaptation. By combining my local knowledge with my professional expertise, …

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How to Remove Personally Identifiable Information from Google

Protecting Your Google Business Profile from Competitor Sabotage

How to Stop Competitors Bidding on Your Brand Name with Google Ads

Online Reputation Management in Castle Rock, CO: How Sean Hakes Consulting Can Help

Castle Rock SEO Services: Your Local SEO Expert

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