What shows up when someone Googles your name?

Search yourself first

Open an incognito or private browser window and search your full name in quotes. This shows results closest to what strangers see. Try variations: first name + last name, name + your city, name + your profession. Check multiple search engines if you're concerned about specific platforms.

Go beyond page one

Most people only see the first page of results. Scroll through at least five pages to find older content, forum posts, or mentions you might have forgotten about. Some damaging content ranks lower but still appears when someone searches harder.

Check image and news results

Switch to Image Search to see photos tagged with your name. Check News tab for any articles mentioning you. These sections sometimes surface different content than web results.

Document what you find

Take screenshots of results that concern you. Note which pages own the negative content—your own website, third-party sites, or social platforms. This helps you decide whether you can remove, update, or respond to each piece.