Googling yourself may seem self-indulgent. But with more than one-quarter of Americans—and one-third of millennials—believing their online first impression is more important than their in-person introduction, you can start to see the appeal of grooming your Google results. Yet despite knowing just how important our own search results may be, a new survey by Domain.ME has found more than half of people don't monitor what's said about them online.
What's more, the survey found more than half of respondents reported concern that their online persona could negatively impact their reputations—and they may be right. Nearly one in four Americans—and half of millennials—have negatively impacted by online information about themselves. Another 42 percent of Americans admit they've changed their own opinions about someone else because of what they've uncovered online about them. And with employers commonly screening job candidates' social media, you can quickly see how these stats could pose a problem to people's personal and professional lives.
However, 53 percent of the survey respondents admitted they don't monitor their own online information, while 60 percent have never searched their name on Google or any other search engine. Those who do search their names only do so once or twice a year, they say, despite the fact that just 20 percent of them find only and exactly what they'd want others to be able to read about them.
"More than three-billion people worldwide use the Internet every day," Predrag Lesic, CEO of Domain.ME, said in a press release. "Online content about each of us creates a distinctive digital portrait—one that can be accessed by anyone at any time. The Internet is an increasingly powerful tool for making a first impression— both personally and professionally. As this survey shows, many of us can take a more proactive and mindful approach to online content, and use it to our advantage."
Do you ever google yourself? Have you been satisfied with what you find?
