How Long Do News Articles Stay Online?

How long do news articles stay online? If you don’t take action now, that bad news could haunt your reputation forever.

Today, businesses and professionals find themselves in different situations than they did before the internet and Google Search.

When a negative article was released in the past, it might circulate for one or two months, at most. Then, it would likely be forgotten by the general public.

Now, that same negative news article can be read worldwide indefinitely.

If you’re hoping that negative news stories will be removed from the web in a year, when they’re out-of-date and no longer relevant, you’ll be disappointed. The hard truth is that if the story generates enough interest, it can stay online forever.

This happens for a couple of reasons.

First, a page that performs well for a news site makes that company money. If a negative article gets views, the publisher has no reason to remove it from circulation, no matter how much time goes by.

Second, news articles are reposted on other news websites all the time. This means that even if the original site removes the post, it’s likely still out there.

In this article, we’ll explain how you can prevent negative news articles from ruining your digital reputation. For help cleaning up your online image ASAP, contact us today at 844-745-6673. 

Is There Anything I Can Do To Fight Negative News Articles?

If negative newspaper articles appear in search results when you look up your name, anyone who searches for you will likely see them. We recommend removing negative news items quickly to contain the damage.

The good news is that you don’t have to leave your reputation up to chance. In other words, you don’t have to allow front-page headlines to dominate your online presence or brand.

The right online reputation management (ORM) strategy can put you in the driver’s seat, allowing you to control your name and guide the online conversation.

Our team has helped thousands of clients remove news articles and suppress Google Search results. We know how to make your name shine on the web. 

You can speak with one of our experts by calling 941-259-4554 today.

What Can a Negative Reputation Do to You?

Understanding just how important it is to build and maintain a positive image online can help you make the right choice about removing negative articles from news sites and search engines.

The following statistics make a strong case for online reputation management:

• 90% of online shoppers won’t purchase from a company with a bad reputation.
• Companies that demonstrate brand consistency increase revenue by 10-20%. However, only 30% of organizations with brand guidelines enforce them regularly.
• 88% of consumers would use a business that replies to all reviews; only 47% would use a business that doesn’t respond to its reviews at all.
• For over 45% of internet users, one of their main reasons for going online is to research products and brands.
• The top 3 Google results get more than 54% of all clicks. 

These ORM statistics should be eye-opening. They also highlight the importance of removing negative articles from the internet before it’s too late.

How To Remove Negative Articles From the Internet

With statistics showing how important your online reputation is, you’re probably in a hurry to remove all results hurting your name on Google.

We understand. And we believe that the best time to start managing your reputation is now. Waiting only leaves your reputation in the hands of others. And they don’t always have your best interests in mind.

Negative news stories and embarrassing news articles can harm your online reputation. Removing negative news articles as soon as possible can restore the damage.

The following options can help you remove newspaper articles from the internet and restore your name.

Contact the Site Owner

While few news outlets remove articles by request, some might if you can prove that the information is false or directly violates your privacy.

Head to the website’s Terms of Service and FAQ sections. Once there, check for existing removal policies. Then, contact the webmaster with your request. If there’s a removal policy in place, refer to it and explain how it will be in violation of their policies if your news articles stay online.

Remember that many news organizations will either not respond, refuse to remove negative news articles or even charge a hefty removal fee.

Contact Google

Much like contacting news organizations directly, asking Google to remove something from search results isn’t a sure thing. But it is worth a shot. 

Google is most likely to consider removal when content violates its privacy policy.

Hire an Attorney

Hiring an attorney to remove newspaper content from the web is costly. These types of services can easily run over $100,000 or more. Yet, having legal aid on your side doesn’t hurt.

If there’s a legitimate reason why the article shouldn’t be online, your attorney might have luck in the courtroom. They may even be able to negotiate a deal without filing suit.

Remember, though, that even the best attorney can’t guarantee results. After all, no one can control how a judge will rule. Lawyers always operate with a chance of failure.

Utilize Content Suppression Strategies

If removal proves too difficult or even impossible, you can remove a negative article through suppression tactics.

This works because most people don’t look past Google’s first page of search results; only a small number of users take a peek at page two or beyond.

Articles appearing after page one (or even in one of the lower spots on the first SERP) are usually “hidden” from all but the most curious. What’s more, suppression is more cost-effective than hiring an attorney when handled by a team of trained professionals.

On average, our team can suppress news articles in a matter of months. From there, you’ll have a shiny new online reputation that only requires maintenance to ensure continued success.

A Closer Look at Content Suppression

We’ve worked with thousands of clients looking to remove negative items from search results. 

It’s often the last resort for clients who’ve tried everything else. Or, it can be the first (and smartest) choice for clients who want to contain the damage as quickly as possible.

When we can’t remove a negative item — like certain negative articles from news organizations — we build a suppression campaign. During the campaign, we generate new, high-quality content on domain names designed just for your keyword (for example, your name or brand name).

Over the course of several months, these articles rise in popularity and begin appearing on Google. When enough of this content exists, there’s no more room for negative items on the first or second page of search results.

This is a refreshing dose of good news for the victims of negative news items. It’s also the first step to achieving a positive online reputation.

Call us at 941-259-4554 today to speak with a content suppression expert.

Why Work With an Online Reputation Management Team?

A quality online reputation management campaign to remove and suppress negative articles takes time, effort, and expertise. That’s why we highly recommend working with a team of online reputation management specialists

Not only does a good campaign often take several hours of work each month, but DIY reputation management is rarely effective. Our team combines cutting-edge technology with decades of experience to repair and improve your online reputation.

Today, the world runs on the internet. Those with a good online image generally have more opportunities, increased success, better lives, and an easier time finding new customers.

Call us at 941-259-4554 for a free consultation today.