“Your digital reputation is a thing—even if you’re not famous.”
🔎 Googling Yourself Isn’t Narcissistic—It’s Smart
You’ve probably Googled a celebrity, a crush, or maybe a teacher. But here’s a question that hits differently:
Have you ever Googled yourself?
If not, now’s the time. Because whether you’re applying for a job, auditioning for a role, joining a team, or just meeting someone new—your digital footprint matters.
And spoiler: people are looking you up. So let’s make sure what they find actually represents you.
🧠 What’s a Digital Footprint Anyway?
Your digital footprint is the collection of stuff connected to your name online—like:
- Old social media posts
- Tagged photos and videos
- Public profiles (LinkedIn, forums, gaming accounts)
- Mentions in blogs, school websites, or news
- Comments you’ve left under videos or posts
Some of it’s great. Some of it… not so much. But all of it builds a picture of who you are to strangers.
💼 Why It Matters for Jobs and School
More than 70% of employers and recruiters admit to Googling candidates before an interview. Colleges do it too. Even potential roommates and dates might check your online vibe before meeting you IRL.
So ask yourself:
- What do I want them to see?
- What don’t I want showing up first?
Now we’re thinking like digital pros. Let’s clean things up.
🧽 Step 1: Actually Google Yourself
Start with your full name in quotes:
"Your First Name Last Name"
Add other search terms like:
- Your city or school
- Usernames you’ve used
Check the image tab too. You might be surprised what’s still floating out there from 2014.
🧹 Step 2: Clean What You Can
- Delete old or cringe posts—especially anything offensive, overly personal, or way off-brand for who you are now
- Remove tags from unflattering or public photos
- Adjust privacy settings on social media (you can archive old content instead of deleting it)
- Request takedowns if needed—from webmasters, forums, or platforms
You might not be able to erase everything, but you can push the good stuff forward.
✨ Step 3: Curate the Version of You That Shows Up First
Now that you’ve cleaned, it’s time to curate. This isn’t about being fake—it’s about being intentional with what the internet says about you.
- Make a LinkedIn profile (even as a student)
- Post helpful or creative content under your real name—like blogs, projects, or achievements
- Start using the same name format across platforms to unify your identity
- Ask friends to untag or remove old things that don’t fit your vibe anymore
Pro tip: Creating good content is one of the best ways to bury the bad. Google loves recent, relevant stuff.
🚫 Step 4: Avoid Future “Digital Regret”
Before you post, ask:
“Would I want this to show up on page one of Google when someone looks me up?”
If the answer is “probably not,” save it for your private story—or don’t post it at all.
Also smart:
- Don’t post when angry or emotional
- Skip sharing sensitive location info
- Keep passwords and usernames private
- Don’t link too many personal accounts together
🧠 Cysecsis’ Quick Digital Footprint Checklist
- 🔍 Google your name (include images & usernames)
- 🧹 Clean up what you control (posts, pics, bios)
- 💡 Create positive content that reflects who you are now
- 🔐 Tighten privacy settings on social media
- 🧠 Think before posting—especially under your real name
💬 Real Talk
You don’t have to be perfect online—but you should be aware. Because like it or not, your online presence speaks before you do.
So Google yourself. Reclaim your narrative. Control your first impression—even if it’s digital.
Coming next: Oversharing Online—Where’s the Line?
Because your truth deserves respect—and boundaries.
