SERM "Search Engine Reputation Management"

SERM (Search Engine Reputation Management) has become a hot topic and a very interesting niche market in the world of SEO. Many people are very unfamiliar with this new concept and how it actually works. I will attempt to explain it here.

SERM are tactics that many companies use to proactively protect their brand names from untrue and damaging posts made by people whose only goal is to hurt and damage a company's reputation. Many times these lies and deceptive practices are spread through search engine searches. This same tactic is used by stalkers and harassment artists who are out to destroy a person's (or company's) reputation and good name.

Until recently, there was not a lot that could be done by a person or company to stop this horrific and cruel practice of deception. But thankfully a few states have passed new laws prohibiting this kind of behavior and made this tactic a felony. Where a few years ago a person had little to no recourse, a company or person can now sue and have the perpetrator put behind bars.

There are some things a company and person can do to limit the damage from this type of harassing behavior. You certainly do not want to ignore this and hope that the search engines will suddenly forget you exist. You will want to confront this type of harassment "head-on."

You may find that you need a lawyer to help you decide if there is some type of legal action you can take. In the event of a stalker or on-going harassment you will want to discuss your options with a lawyer.

When the matter is one of brand or name disparaging you will want to bury the offending posts.  This can be done in many ways and certainly has many advantages. Most people do not go beyond the third or fourth page in search engine results. So blogging becomes even more important along with press releases. What you are trying to do here is bury the offending posts so no one will find them.

If the offending posts appear on any of the popular rating systems then address each post as you find them. Offer to correct the problem that the person is complaining about. Address any negative information that that may have made against you. Be very careful not to resort to name calling of any defaming behavior. You do not want to give this person a chance to sue you.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about SERM. We have a lawyer on staff that is always happy to answer any questions you many have about your situation.