Your Digital Footprint - Dealing With Debt

The Online You That Employers, Colleagues, Clients, Landlords, and Lenders See

A unique name is a blessing and a curse. It makes you stand out—but it also means that the good, the bad, and the ugly about you float to the top of search engine results. Your digital footprint is how search engines see you, and it matters more than ever.

The first thing an employer does after reviewing your resume? A Google search. The first thing a landlord does before approving your rental application? A Google search. If you’re applying for a credit line, a background check might be involved. And if you’re going for a job requiring a government security clearance, expect a deep dive into your online presence.

A Real-Life Digital Footprint Nightmare

One of my clients learned the hard way how long the internet remembers things. Years ago, they had a DUI—something they had long since learned from and moved past. But guess what? A “mugshot” website had archived it, and Google made sure it was the first thing that popped up when you searched their name. Every time they applied for a job, that was their first impression. Ouch.

Even though the incident was old news, the internet didn’t care. Employers didn’t either. It took serious effort to drown that negative search result with more positive, professional content.

What Shows Up in Search Results?

Search engines don’t just index news articles and business websites—they pull in social media too. X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, YouTube—if your settings are public, your content can show up. I’ve seen some Amazon and Etsy wishlists full of “amorous” items archived into Google.

I’ve seen folks miss out on opportunities because they were a little too open about their party lifestyle. Others have lost out because they got vocal about controversial political opinions. Some have made misogynistic or racist “jokes” that came back to haunt them—because guess what? Google doesn’t forget. It’s like rappers who snitch on themselves in their songs. Some things are better left unsaid… or at least unposted.

SEO: The Art of Controlling Your Narrative

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a whole field dedicated to making certain content rise to the top of search results. It’s how businesses get their websites seen first on Google. But that’s another topic for another day. The key takeaway? You can use SEO principles to make sure the best version of you is what people find first.

How to Take Control of Your Digital Footprint

So, how do you make sure that what shows up when someone Googles you is what you want them to see?

1. Google yourself. Seriously, do it now. What comes up? Is that what you want a future employer, landlord, or lender to see?
2. Do good works—and make sure they show up online. Volunteer work, professional articles, and industry contributions add legitimacy to your online presence. The internet loves positivity. You have good things to contribute to professional knowledge.
3. Remember that powerful tools like facial recognition and AI indexing exist. What you post—even casually—can be analyzed and resurfaced in ways you never intended. That’s a topic for another time, but be aware.
4. What social media do you need? People live much more publicly than they did 25 years ago. Many of my cybersecurity colleagues utilize next to none of it. I’d always argue a middle ground of being cognizant of what you post.

I curate my own digital footprint carefully. If you search my name, you’ll find references to my work in beekeeping, food sovereignty, and Hospice. I know what’s out there, and I shape my online presence accordingly. At the end of the day, your digital footprint is your responsibility. Make it work for you, not against you.