How to Deal with Negative Press from Past Business Failures
The Impact of Negative Press on Business Reputation
Past business failures can continue to haunt individuals and entrepreneurs long after they have moved on. Negative press coverage can:
- Damage trust with investors, partners, and customers
- Hinder future business opportunities and funding
- Remain visible in Google search results for years
- Affect personal reputation and credibility
Strategies to Address and Suppress Negative Press
Understanding Why Negative Press Ranks High
Negative business coverage often remains prominent due to:
High Authority of News & Business Sites – Media platforms and business blogs rank highly in search engines. Backlinks & Social Sharing – Negative press articles are often widely shared, keeping them visible. Google’s Algorithm Favouring Popular Content – Articles that receive engagement and clicks stay on page one. Lack of Competing Content – Without positive content, negative articles dominate search results.
Steps to Minimise the Impact of Past Business Failures
Request Article Updates or Corrections – Contact journalists or site owners to provide updated, accurate information. 
Submit a Google Removal Request for Outdated Content – Request removal or de-indexing of old business-related search results (Submit Here). Use the Right to Be Forgotten (RTBF) Under GDPR – If applicable, request Google remove outdated business-related data. Engage in Crisis PR & Reputation Management – Work with professionals to change the narrative around past failures.
SEO Strategies to Suppress Negative Press
If removal isn’t possible, search suppression techniques can push negative business-related search results lower in rankings.
Publish High-Ranking Business Success Stories – Create well-optimised blogs, case studies, and press releases. Optimise LinkedIn & Professional Profiles – Ensure updated career highlights dominate search rankings. Generate Positive Backlinks from Trusted Sites – Improve search rankings of new content through strategic link-building. Secure Media Coverage on Recent Achievements – Highlight new business ventures or successes in trusted publications.
Long-Term Reputation Management for Business Owners
To prevent ongoing negative coverage from affecting new opportunities, continuous reputation monitoring is essential.
Monitor Business & Personal Mentions Online – Use Google Alerts and monitoring tools to track mentions. 
Engage with Online Communities & Thought Leadership – Publish expert insights and engage in professional forums. 
Leverage Video & Multimedia Content – Create positive content that ranks well in search engines. 
Work with PR Agencies & Reputation Experts – Professional PR strategies can help rebuild credibility and trust.
How Reputation Ace Can Help
At Reputation Ace, we specialise in mitigating negative business press and rebuilding online credibility:
SEO & Content Suppression – Push negative press down with high-ranking, positive content. Legal Assistance for Takedown Requests – Work with legal professionals to explore article removal options. Strategic PR & Reputation Repair – Improve public perception through media engagement and success-focused content. Ongoing Monitoring & Crisis Response – Track online reputation and prevent emerging reputation risks.
Contact Reputation Ace Today!
If past business failures are affecting your online reputation, we can help reshape your digital presence.
Visit our website: Reputation Ace
Call us now: 0800 088 5506
Email: info@reputationace.co.uk