All of the information, posts, pictures, and data you put online is called a digital footprint.People can learn more about you if you give them enough information online.This could be a problem, like if your boss sees inappropriate social media posts or a thief finds your banking information.It only takes a few steps to present a positive image online, so get started now!
Step 1: You need to know what your digital footprint is so you can manage it well.
You can find the results on a few different search engines.If you want to get rid of or improve, make a list of questionable things.Go beyond the first page of both websites.The results will show up if you go a few pages in.If you want to stay on top of your online presence, set a Google alert for your own name.If something mentions you online, you will get a notification.
Step 2: When you are searching for yourself, you might find some posts that are not professional.
It's possible that anyone can see them, which could hurt you in your personal and professional life.As soon as possible, remove all of this.People will not see them if they are bosses or potential employers.Foul language, risqué photos, drinking, or rude comments can be found in questionable content.They should be deleted if they show up, and not post more in the future.It's not always possible to control what shows up online.Ask the search engine to remove the results if you need more help.If you want to report personal or private information showing up on their search engine, you can do so by visiting support.google.com.You can follow a similar process for Yahoo.It's important to remember that removing something from a search engine doesn't remove it from the internet.You have to contact the administrator of the site that published it to get rid of it.
Step 3: The best guideline is "think before you post."
Share things that show you in a positive light, and think about all the implications of the posts you made.If your family or potential employers see your posts, you won't have to be embarrassed.If you are upset, try not to post something.You might not think about the bigger implications of what you say.If you don't know if something is appropriate to post online, ask a few people for their opinion.It is best to avoid posting if they say it is not professional.
Step 4: There is no point in keeping accounts that you don't use
There is more information about you online when these accounts are open.This makes it hard to keep up with your online presence, so close any accounts that you don't use anymore.Deleting an account won't get rid of images that have been shared on other platforms.If you want to get rid of something, you need to contact the platform that it was shared on.
Step 5: A professional image is part of a good digital footprint.
The accounts and profiles you use should be up to date.If you want potential employers to see accurate information, update your accounts.You should list your current job and contact information on your LinkedIn profile.Potential employers might not be able to find you.This is not always necessary for non- professional accounts.Your followers don't have to know where you work.
Step 6: You can keep your online presence professional with this.
If you have professional or personal achievements, you can share them on social media.You will quickly establish a positive online presence.This is important for professional sites.Visitors want to see the good things you have done.Potential employers tend to like seeing volunteer work and membership in professional organizations, so be sure to share any of these activities on your pages.
Step 7: Privacy settings are included in most social media platforms.
You can change the settings on your platforms to limit who can see your posts.If you keep your accounts private, you can avoid embarrassment from someone seeing posts that you don't want them to see.There are settings for privacy.Limit posts to only your friends or followers, prevent commenting or interaction on some posts, and even choose who can and can't see your posts.Privacy settings are not a substitute for being careful about what you post.Even if your accounts are locked down, don't make inappropriate posts.
Step 8: It's important to protect your identity when managing your digital footprint.
If you are careless with your passwords, accounts, and information online, thieves could steal your identity.Set strong, unique usernames and passwords for all of your online accounts to protect yourself.This makes it less likely that a hacker will be able to access your accounts.Password managers can help you remember your passwords.OneLogin, Dashlane, and 1Password are programs that store your passwords.If you have trouble keeping track of your passwords, it's a good idea to keep a list in a notebook or planners.If a hacker gained access to your computer, they could find your list on your desktop.This information should not be shared on your social media or public accounts.If you post it anywhere, a hacker could get your information.
Step 9: Information is stored when you search for something online.
Private or incognito browsers keep you anonymous and prevent the browser from storing your search information.Web browsers can't build a profile for you based on your search data.Since the browser hasn't compiled a search history for you, using private web browsers is a good way to avoid getting flooded with advertisements when you search.It's good to protect your financial information with incognito windows.It is possible for shopping sites to store your credit card information without you knowing.
Step 10: Track your search data using cookies.
It is supposed to make your web experience more convenient because sites will remember you, but it could also store your personal information.If you want to avoid this, make a habit of clearing the cookies on your browser every few months.You will lose some of your search history when you sign back into your accounts after you deleted all cookies.Sometimes cookies are convenient.If you have a cookie from your bank, you won't have to re-authenticate your computer every time you log on.You can choose the cookies you want to keep.
Step 11: There is a ton of information online when you make different shopping accounts.
Many sites now offer "Checkout as a Guest" options.You won't have to make an account or store your personal information in order to shop.If you have a lot of online shopping accounts, you can always close them and get your information off the website.