Your online reputation is important. Here are 15 ways to keep an eye on what people are saying about you—and take action if necessary.
1. Google Alerts
The first step to managing your online reputation is being aware of what’s being said about you. Google Alerts is a free tool that allows you to do just that. Simply type in your name, brand, or another keyword, and you’ll receive an email alert whenever that term is mentioned online.
2. Social Media Searches
Another way to stay on top of your online reputation is to regularly search for mention of your name or brand on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. This can be a bit more time-consuming than using Google Alerts, but it’s a good way to get a feel for the general sentiment around your brand.
3. Trackur
Trackur is a paid tool that offers more comprehensive monitoring than Google Alerts or social media searches. It allows you to track not only mention of your name or brand but also competitor names and keywords. You can also set up alerts so you’re notified whenever there’s activity around your tracked terms.
4. Brandwatch
Brandwatch is another paid reputation management tool. In addition to monitoring social media, news, and blogs, it also analyzes sentiment to give you an idea of how positive or negative the conversation around your brand is.
5. Mention
Mention is similar to the other tools on this list, but it has a few unique features. In addition to monitoring the web, it also tracks TV, radio, and print mentions of your brand. It also offers real-time alerts and an in-depth analysis of sentiment.
6. Reputology
Reputology is a tool designed specifically for businesses with multiple locations. It allows you to track online reviews and ratings from over 100 review sites, including Google, Yelp, and Facebook. You can also see how your business stacks up against competitors in terms of online reputation.
7. Online Review Sites
Speaking of online reviews, it’s important to keep an eye on what people are saying about you on popular review sites like Google, Yelp, and Trip Advisor. If you see a negative review, reach out to the customer and see if there’s anything you can do to resolve the issue.
8. Search Engine Results
In addition to monitoring reviews on specific sites, it’s also a good idea to keep an eye on your overall search engine results. If you see any negative articles or content about your brand, reach out to the site owner and see if they’re open to removing it or publishing a correction.
9. Blog Comments
If you have a company blog, be sure to moderate comments. This will help ensure that only positive, relevant comments are published. If you do receive a negative comment, respond politely and try to resolve the issue.
10. Social Media Comments
Similarly, if you have a social media presence, it’s important to monitor comments and messages. This will help you identify and address any negative sentiment in a timely manner.
11. News Articles
Another type of content to keep an eye on is news articles. If there are any negative articles about your company or industry, reach out to the reporter and see if they’re open to publishing a correction or update.
12. Forum Posts
Forums can be another breeding ground for negativity. If you see any posts about your brand on a forum, reach out to the poster and see if there’s anything you can do to resolve the issue.
13. Guest Posts
If you allow guest posts on your blog, be sure to moderate them carefully. This will help ensure that only high-quality, relevant content is published. If you do receive a negative guest post, reach out to the author and see if they’re open to making changes or removing the post altogether.
14. YouTube Comments
If you have a YouTube channel, it’s important to monitor comments and respond accordingly. This will help ensure that any negative sentiment is addressed in a timely manner.
15. Amazon Reviews
If you sell products on Amazon, it’s important to keep an eye on your customer reviews. If you see a negative review, reach out to the customer and see if there’s anything you can do to resolve the issue.
Conclusion:
There are a number of different tools and techniques you can use to monitor your online reputation. Some of the most popular include Google Alerts, social media searches, and paid reputation management tools like Brand watch and Mention. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on your search engine results, online reviews, and news articles. And finally, if you have a blog or YouTube channel, be sure to moderate comments carefully.
