There’s an odd thrill—and a little twinge of dread—about typing your own name into a search bar. “Googling yourself” is one of those exercises most people avoid, either because it feels a bit self-absorbed or because they’re afraid of what they might find. But as I continue my journey of building Self Made Signal and shaping a personal brand, I realized: knowing your digital footprint isn’t a vanity play—it’s an act of ownership. So, I took the plunge and Googled myself. Here’s what I discovered, what surprised me, and how it’s reshaping my approach to my online presence.
Why I Took the Digital Footprint Challenge
Everything we do online leaves breadcrumbs—social profiles, blog comments, forgotten guest posts, images, even news snippets. If I want to be intentional about my brand, I can’t just curate the highlights within my circle; I need to see what a future collaborator, employer, or curious reader really sees.
Googling myself was my way of stepping out of the driver’s seat and seeing my brand “from the outside in.” Would my values, expertise, and brand identity shine—or would the results tell a different, messier story?
The Search: What Actually Showed Up
Page 1—Claimed Spaces
The first hits were what I expected: my website, LinkedIn profile, recent blog posts, and social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter—or “X”—and Medium). It was reassuring to see that the platforms I invested time into were hitting the top spots. My updated bios and profile images appeared consistently, lending a sense of cohesion across different platforms.
Surprising Results
But then came the surprises:
- Old Forum Mentions: Posts from years ago on long-forgotten interest groups and forums. My username—not my real name—was public, but it was easy enough to connect the dots with a simple search.
- Guest Content: Articles I’d contributed to other blogs, some of which I’d totally forgotten about, were still live and ranking. A few made me proud. A couple made me cringe—the voice and views clearly “past me,” not current me.
- Images: Most photos were professional or “on brand,” but a few candid snapshots from old public Facebook albums also appeared. They weren’t damaging, but they felt out of step with my current mission.
- Mentions by Others: My name popped up in roundups, group projects, and a podcast transcript—some I knew about, others I’d never seen. It was a reminder that our digital presence isn’t just what we post, but also what others share.
The Deep Cuts
Going beyond the first page, links got less relevant—directory listings, outdated contact info, an odd spammy site that scraped publicly available details. None of it was dangerous, but seeing my name in random, context-less places nudged me to consider the uncontrollable sprawl of the internet.
What This Taught Me About Online Identity
1. Your “Past Selves” Live On
The web never really forgets. A single stray post, an old comment, even a side project you abandoned—these things can linger, providing a time capsule of your evolution. Rather than be ashamed, I decided to claim them. Growth is human, and seeing it play out online gives authenticity to my brand.
2. Consistency is Key (But Takes Ongoing Effort)
My more recent, deliberate branding efforts paid off—my voice and values were clear and easy to find. But scattered or neglected spaces stood out in comparison. It’s not “one and done”; maintenance matters.
3. What Others Post Matters, Too
Even if you’re careful about your own uploads, you can be tagged, mentioned, or quoted out of context. Managing your digital footprint means being conscious of your network, collaborations, and public-facing engagements.
4. Privacy Gaps Show Up in Search
Outdated bio info, old contact details, or personal tidbits can resurface via scraped databases or directory sites. I made note to update, hide, or request removal where possible—control isn’t total, but vigilance helps.
Taking Action: How I’m Upgrading My Digital Footprint
- Updating Old Profiles: I revisited legacy accounts (think Twitter bios, portfolio sites, Q&A platforms) and either deleted, updated, or privatized them.
- Claiming New Spaces: If anywhere my name is used but not claimed, I’m creating profiles or at least “placeholder” bios to ensure accuracy.
- Requesting Deletions & Edits: For sites that allow it, I submitted requests or edits to get outdated or irrelevant information removed.
- Staying Proactive: Scheduling periodic “digital footprint audits” to ensure what’s online continues to match who I am and what I want my brand to represent.
- Owning My Narrative: If I find something cringy or dated, I reference it with honesty in my ongoing story—humanizing my growth rather than hiding from it.
Why You Should Google Yourself, Too
Googling yourself isn’t narcissistic—it’s exercising stewardship over your public identity. It gives you perspective, helps spot blind spots or risks, and gives you a map for intentional updates. If you’re building a brand, applying for jobs, or simply living in a digital world, this small act gives you the insight (and agency) to take control.
Final Thoughts: Turning Awareness Into Alignment
The Digital Footprint Challenge reminded me that personal branding works forwards—and backwards. You can’t erase everything, nor should you, but you can tell a clearer, truer story by taking responsibility for your online presence.
Next time you hesitate to type your own name into a search bar, remember: the internet already has a version of your story. The difference is, you get to decide how it continues. Why not embrace the full picture—flaws, glow-ups, and all—and use it to build something authentic, enduring, and absolutely yours?
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