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Removing References of your Former Real Estate Firm – Google Showing Old Information

One of our clients ran into a sticky situation the other day. They recently left a large franchise brokerage company and ventured out to start their own real estate company. Everything was going well until they received a letter from their former companies' lawyer stating that the real estate agent was still using the old company brand. He then referenced a few places online that still showed the old information. A quick search on Google confirmed that the search engine was ridden with references to the real estate agent and the old franchise.

Updating this information can be more difficult than you may think. After all, many of these references were from Social Networks, Directories, Internet Yellow Pages and more. To make matters worse, most of these sites were out of the real estate agents control so it isn't as simple as logging in and a company name and address.

But I Already Updated the Information

They also noticed that Google was still referencing information that had already been changed for quite some time. This is when they knew that erasing all of internet references to the former company in a matter of days wasn't just difficult, it was pretty much impossible. That's because it would take time for Google to show the new information. Ready to throw their hands up, they emailed me asking for help. They not only needed to give their lawyer a technical explanation of why they couldn't just snap their fingers and make the information disappear, but they also needed direction to clean up as many references as possible.

Why Not Turn It Into A Blog Post

I proceeded to write out some tips when I realized that there were probably many other agents that have encountered a similar situation. With this in mind, I quickly turned my email into a blog post. Let me give you a quick warning. It's not a quick and light read. But if Google is still showing references to your former real estate company, it can be invaluable information.

Here is a quick rundown of what the post covers…

Effectively searching the web for those old references
How to check every Word Doc, PDF file, presentation and web page on your website.
How scrapper sites grab your information
Online Yellow Pages
Keeping tabs on your link love
Google Cache
Outdated info in the Open Directory Project (DMOZ.org)

You can read the entire article on Erasing Traces of Your Former Real Estate Firm by visiting the Dakno Real Estate Marketing Blog

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Posted by Brad Carroll - Real Estate Web Designer on 05/20/2008 10:14 PM

Comments (73)

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73 Comments on Removing References of your Former Real Estate Firm – Google Showing Old Information

MAY

2008

Brad you bring up some very good points hopefully if an agent switches companies the agent will take care of everything.

Wow! What a headache. I would have never thought about that. Maybe it's best to promote yourself detached from your company in places not directly controlled by your broker. I'm glad that I'm not in that position. This post has helped me realize I need to protect myself from getting into that position. Thanks for the heads up!

- Dennis

Brad, this was an excellent post. The work around as you describe it seems almost impossible in many cases. It's a huge problem as so many agents move so frequently...it's an even bigger issue for those who don't.

This is a very helpful post for probably many. I hadn't thought of it. But I know that my firm, RE/MAX, is very careful about letting ex-agents continue with their logo or with anything resembling the logo.

I think there is a business opportunity for someone here... I have always tried to do my promotional stuff for me (I like my broker, but he has his own budget...). However, I am required to disclose my broker's info, so it is everywhere out there. If I change, it will be a headache.

Brad, great point! I've looked everywhere I could think of in order to remove any reference to my old company name.....I still see it pop up on google from time to time.....;-)

Brad.....you have some really great points here. I always knew it was a headache to switch companies. Thanks for the post.

Brad, very true. I did not think of that one. We all need to look at this issue with this changing market.

Brad, another awesome post! This is something I never thought of, and it is sure great to know that once again you have a solution to our needs. Great job and thanks.

Very good post.

I once had on my site information about the project. THe project later was delayed, and I forgot about it, but I got a few e-mails from people, who claimed that they have ssen the info on the net, but they could not tell me where the saw it.

After a while I got a very angry and thratening letter from the developer, who was talking about attorneys and all that if I do not remove the information. I sent him an e-mail and asked to give me the web address where they saw it. Never got the answer form him, but I know that this info is still out there.

I will see if I can find it.

Brad Excellent information. Bookmarked... just in case ;)

Brad -This will be very helpful me. I too left a large franchise and have had some of the issues you mentioned. Thanks again.

Brad, great and very informative post. We have it bookmarked just in case we ever need it.

I never thught about this, What a concern! Thank you for bringing this to our attention and for the post. I also really like your logo,

Barbara: Yeah, RE/MAX stays on top of this info. I actually had them contact me because I was the technical contact for a domain that referenced RE/MAX. They really protect their brand.

Lane: you make a great point about the required disclosure. Simply not including the Broker info is probably not an option.

Pam: Yeah, I am still feeling the effects of simply moving office locations!

Denise: Thanks!

Jon: Check out my Dakno blog and try the items mentioned. Let me know if it works for you.

Patty and Scott: Thanks

Mara: Yeah, it can be a big issue. The bigger your internet presence, the bigger the drama!

Great post.

Been there, done that.

It's been a year and I am still finding old references.

It's been a long drawn out process trying to get them all updated.

Really time consuming.

What a headache! I changed companies over 2 years ago and there are still references of me with that company. They have never said anything. It is quite obvious that I have changed comoanies. It sounds like a case of sour grapes to have attorneys' involved.

It really is a pain in the sitdown when you have to locate these people and beg for updates! I had a problem being in a big directory, finally a friend went to work as an editor for them and she helped me correct it. I will have to read and save your blog for further reference.

Thanks for taking the time to remind us...

WOW! I better go Google myself. I had this problem with a listing. When you blog your listings in this market, you may have trouble if they expire and become another agent's listing. Getting it out of Google is more work than selling the house!

Brad you haven't been on here much lately........but when you are its great! Awesome info, actually haven't even gone to your blog - which i'm about to do....but those were questions I was just wondering about myself......what happens if you do change companies.......oh my the trail........looking forward to checking it all out! :-)

I recently changed offices and it took me forever to make changes,

I changed offices and then the office location moved - oh, how I need this - thanks, Brad!

MAY

2008

ARDELL: I didn’t even think about listings. Great point. Isn’t the internet great! Haha Hopefully these tips will help.

Liz: Thanks Liz. You are right; unfortunately, I don’t get a chance to blog as often as I want too!

Virginia: It looks like this info is right on time for you. Glad I could help.

We went through this agony and it was that .. agony. It would have been easier if we had someone like Brad to help us when we went through it. Another problem is if you take over a listing and some other agent has had it -- it is next to impossible to get all the old links for that removed. Thanks for the great tips and the post.

Thanks for this information Brad. Old info pops up when you least expect it, and you pointed out a few things I didn't even think about.

Brad I commented on your Dakno blog on this post, right after I commented I got a call from a seller in Grand Rapids who needs to sell his condo in Ann Arbor. I asked him how he found me and he said, " I googled Remax agent in Ann Arbor".

I was thrilled that I was still be indexed by my company of 11 years ! I linked to your blog at Dakno on a post I wrote about it.

Brad - this is WONDERFUL advice! I recently left a company and spent many hours researching where the old company was still popping up. You have quite a few here and on the article that I hadn't thought of - THANKS!

Brad I am glad I won't be leaving my company any time soon...what a hassle! Great advice though ;)

This is just so much nonsense. It appears that the former broker spends too much time contemplating their navel.

If a person has an ad in the Yellow Pages and moves, are they then required to canvass the county and collect and destroy all of the Yellow Page books that shows the old location???? It's utter nonsense.

I ran across an old, old, old, web page template that I had back in about 1998. My then broker affiliation was still on the site. The templat company is out of business. There's no way that I can get that old page updated. In this case, I'm not concerned that my old broker would complain because he's probably saying "What's the Internet?". But, that's another story.

Brad, I agree with Lenn states, but I don't care about the old broker. In fact, I have advertising on my car that has a small insignia of the old broker and am not about to change it. With that said, I appreciate this because I've found listing with numbers that I do not wish to be on it because they do not lead directly to me. This will surely come into use as I leave my current brokerage by year's end and go out on my own. Thanks for the info.

Brad,

Thanks for this post--I've had a similar problem with Yahoo search. Will the same procedure work for Yahoo?

Brad: This makes an interesting case for NOT moving companies! I had never thought of this sort of issue, but it is HUGE! Thanks for pointing it out! It is something to consider before making a move. Thanks! Steve

Thanks for your time in putting this together. Great point of consideration . This post is very informative. It seems like creating a new identity. I know of an agent that is still getting leads because of the francise company . Is this such a bad thing and what is your opinion on francises v/s local owned? Thanks!

Brad - once again very valuable information I am headed over to read the post

Thanks for the info! I having been trying to get agents that left my company from using my info. Many of them are no longer in the business!

Thanks Brad...I am bookmarking this in case I ever do change companies and need this information.

Brad- Glad this post was featured as it is full of very helpful information to help us manage our online profiles. I have bookmarked it. I need to make sure the links to my site are up to date. Thanks for the great information!

Best,

Scott

Brad, Fantastic Post. I still get junk emails from companies that still think I work for my old company.

Thanks for the information. I've bookmarked it for future reference.

Brad, I was just thining about tthis the other day. We have so much information out on the www I would have no clue how to find everything much less get it updated. Fortunately for me I own my company so don't have to worry about it but man o man what an ordeal!!!

Excellent info!!!!

I took your advice and I did all those Google searches and found another real estate company consistently advertising my listings! A company I've never worked with! In tiny print at the bottom of the page it says "listings courtesy of Liz Moras" - what the heck is all that all about?

Some of the information, like Liz's example, can be very frustrating. Our CTMLS does allow others to advertise our listings. I don't care for it either.

We have found that limiting the broker info to the agents site is best, and legal, and that when it is changed there, it will propagate elsewhere, over time. An agent cannot be held liable for slow updates on the web on sites not controlled by the agent.

And there is no need to have every post an agent makes include the brokerage if that info is available in the agent profile, or via a link to the agent's own site. Change the profiles on the blogs, and your own site, and this should do it, no?

You are a life/business saver. I recommend you for promotion and an immediate pay raise. I doubt anyone who can give you either of those will read this, but I still very highly recommend it.

So I wonder who you are referring to! just kidding!

Rebecca: :-)

Thanks for the great comments. I'm glad you are enjoying my post.

Brad

Brad...

I have an interesting take on this. I say a static webpage becomes a historic document that if true on the date published, does not infringe on anyone.

A lot of times you can no longer access the information anyway, as as long as they're getting the advertising, who cares?

That is a very hot topic. I have the same issue. I am wondering though, if by editng the brokerage information on past article or blogs if that is LEGAL since we WERE licensed at that brokerage at the time of said post/weblink, etc. It is sticky and I know as a broker I wouldn't want a former agent out there with my brokerage name after they moved on but I'm not sure what the real answer is, legally.

Yeah...the hand of goole extends far beyond human comprehension lol.

Thanks Brad, This is very good information and this post should help a tremendous number of agents in the future.

Brad: Yes it takes time to go back and change all of these... Just think how many just here on Active Rain alone, not to mention all the others sites.

I actually saw some references to a brokerage I left 18 months ago. Just happened the other day - so your blog is TIMELY! Also, the brokerage I'm in just folded...so now I have to get rid of all of that...Thanks - this is bookmarked!

MAY

2008

Great information Brad. As always a topic sure to interest people. I've noticed several web references to my former brokerage from 4 years ago! Crazy...I've tried changing some of them and they don't respond even...

Brad,

This is a timely post, for sure. There are tons of mortgage lenders and real estate agents and others who could have the same problem, if they only knew about it. Hopefully the lawyer never calls.

MAY

2008

It was really informative to read your article. Thank you for good job. I've opened so much new for myself! Let me recommend you to look through this useful information about Real Estate.

Brad once again you've come through with some great help on an issue I really need to follow up on, Thanks again and again - I'm heading over to read. Cheers

JUN

2008

Great points Brad - This is not a easy situation to rectify and in some cases requires legal action. Another important thing to watch out for is old disclosures and policies. Those pages are often neglected and not update with other media.

JUN

2008

This is an issue I've been through. It became necessary for me to spend more time working at home due to some health problems of my husband & I knew I would not any longer be able to meet even the required minimum production figures for my Broker. I agreed to sell (verbally) my website (self created using FrontPage - many ages ago so Google is kind to it) and maintenance service to another realtor in the same company who I felt had a lot of potential (I wasn't wrong!). Well, I didn't realize she and 6 other of this company's agents were moving to a new company!! Well, to put it mildly this created a very BAD situation! I didn't have any problem with the Broker that I was aware of and actually we were friends. To make a very long story short, once the Broker realized that now I no longer owned the Domain Name she had her legal beagels get after the agent I sold the site to due to all the presence I had created on the Website.

It took me weeks and weeks to try & get it cleaned up and get it straightened out!! Plus a STRONG email to the former Broker/friend who has a hard time understanding anything about the internet -- she has gotten a lot better since this episode and now appreciates its benefits and pitfalls! It is amazing and unbelievable where all you show up on the internet!

I leaned a very important lesson -- for any link exchanging DO NOT mention a company name!! Your name will not change, but, the company name may!!

Sue -- now a licensed Web Assistant to Robin

Great article Brad. I just went through each step as I"ve recently changed my brokerage name. Thanks for the insight.

JUN

2008

I know it goes to servers and is saves forever and ever and you are correct we sometimes do not have control. Plus when people subscribe to list you do not know how old that list is and then you are connect to the other firm again. It is like a dog chasing their tail.

JUN

2008

Hi Brad:

Good information! I recently had to change the name of my site as it contained a geographical location paired with the trademarked term "REALTOR". I was unaware that I was breaking trademark rules when I named the site, but my competition quickly brought it to our board's attention that I was in breach. I had the name switched over within hours, but it is definitely difficult to erase all the traces. In my case, I have worked extra hard to make them disappear as I could be faced with a fine if it still appears!! The even harder part though has been trying to explain why I don't have the control to just make it all go away... especially to a board that is a bit behind in the technology department. I think I will just refer them to your blog from now on!

Thanks again for the good tips and a great post

I can see where this could create plenty of issues. I've noticed how long it can take Google to recognize changes that I have made and am glad I'm not in the position to have to be concerned about this.... yet.

JUN

2008

I shudder at the thought of having to do that kind of "housecleaing". As things like blogs are generally time stamped, then that should cover a lot of the problems.... at that time, that was the company one works for.

JUN

2008

Indeed very difficult, I've been struggling with this for 5 months and still find new things popping up.

JUN

2008

That is a pretty arduous task to remove all those references. Sounds like there was some sour grapes from the former firm.

JUN

2008

Thanks for taking the time to share the steps remove information. We have some onld information we need removed.

JUN

2008

BRAD! When I google my name, and old reference from when I was with a subprime lender is still showing up - rather high I might add! I never even put it up. I am not sure what should be done. At this point it is not a big deal since that companyis out of business but I am not sure if I should be concerned. Good post!

JUN

2008

Hi Brad---yes great post and thanks for sharing

JUL

2008

I just changed companies as well and I have been searching for every link where I posted my info. Thanks for the info.

JUL

2008

Brad,

Thank you for the post. As a newbie I am finding a wealth of info on Active/Rain.

I have been at a loss as how to rid the search engines of my time with a former brokerage. Maybe now armed with a new wealth of knowledge I can solve the problem.

JUL

2008

Great post, Just to check I "googled" some agents that I know recently changed brokerages and sure enough they're showing up with the old brokers information... I'll be sure to pass this post on to them...

AUG

2008

thanks for the post and information -- I will have to use some of the techniques for this

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