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Deleting Listings from the Entire Internet - WHAT!?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Hot Shots Digital (HotShotPros.com)

Real Estate Syndication and the InternetI'm not a Realtor, but Real Estate Syndication through Social Media and Internet Marketing is important to my business.  I recently came across a post by Norma Toering titled "Please Remove My Home From the Internet." She explained that a buyer that had purchased a home that she previously sold, and wanted her to remove her pictures and listing information from the internet entirely.  This is no simple task and while it is impossible to do completely, she did her best to do so.  I envy her willingness to satisfy a potential client, but unfortunately is not a possible task.  In fact, I think it would be allot like dismantling the Eiffel Tower with your wisdom teeth in one day.

Furthermore, you would never want to remove anything off of the web if it back-links to your website and is positive... especially anything that is relevant what your site is about or what you do.  Everytime that your website or name is mentioned from outside sources, you are getting extremely valuable SEO power or "Google Juice" and are effectively moving your site closer to that elusive first page of search engines.

Many of us in the Social Media Industry like to call this the "Lottery Effect".  For example, if your chances of winning on a scratch ticket are "1 in 20" and you buy "10" tickets, your chances of winning are much better than if you bought only "1".  In the Internet game... the more mentions of your name, brand or website that are out there from different sources; the closer you are of winning the top spot for what people are searching for everyday.

Additionally, it's important to note that written materials, Photography and other forms of media are not owned by the buyer of a home.  In fact they are the copyright of the original creator, and a request to remove them from the internet is not a reasonable request.  Google will never remove the photos from Street View, because they belong to them and serve a purpose... whether or not it's marketing, demonstration or other.

Good Luck to you, and Happy Selling!

Nathan Strauch
nstrauch@hotshotpros.com
www.PrintMyRealEstate.com
(970) 222-0084

Virtual Tours, Mass Syndication, Graphic Design, and Print for the Real Estate Professional

Dee Bundy
Fort Collins Realtor @ C3 Real Estate Solutions - Fort Collins, CO
Helping You Make Colorado "Home"

Nathan,

Oh boy, I can only imagine the struggle that would be involved to even attempt this impossible feat.  I agree that it is both an ineffective and illogical act to try to erase those links, although I must applaud the customer service she was attempting to provide.

Interesting issue and well presented. Thanks for sharing!

Jun 14, 2010 07:28 AM
Nathan Strauch
Hot Shots Digital (HotShotPros.com) - Denver, CO
Colorado Real Estate Photography & Video

It's definately a challenging issue, however, I'm sure that the vast majority of people understand... or at least have heard that deleting information from the internet is impossible.  Especially, when in Real Estate, part of our job is to get the information out there as much (and as often) as possible.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Wishing you success,

Nathan Strauch

Jun 14, 2010 08:00 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

This was my thought exactly.  I think Norma went above and beyond the call of duty.

Jun 14, 2010 04:32 PM