Create a Google Profile

On April 21, 2009 Google introduced a tool, called Google Profile, that allows you to take a little control over what comes up when people search your name. Google Profiles will place your profile at the bottom of the search results for your name if you are one of the top matches. Read on to learn how to take advantage of this new feature.

Steps

  1. Load the new Google Profile page https://www.google.com/profiles and click "Create my profile".
  2. Enter your Google user name and password if you are not already logged in.
  3. Fill out your first and last name. Remember that what you put here will change your full name on all Google services such as Gmail. Use the name most likely to generate search results, such as the name on your resume.

  4. Upload a Create an Engaging Online Business Profile by clicking "Change photo" next to the last name.
  5. Complete the mini bio. This section includes where you grew up, what you do for a living and other basic information.
  6. Complete the section "A little personality" with as much detail as you wish to reveal.
  7. Select the links you would like to display on your profile. These are links to things such as your blog, Facebook, Myspace or any other site where you are active.
    • Google will automatically detect any sites that use your Google Account Credentials. Simply click "Add" to use these detected links.
  8. Click Create profile to save this initial information.
  9. Locate the blue notice at the top of your profile and click "Add more info to my profile".
  10. Select the contact information tab at the top of the edit screen.
  11. Complete all of the relevant contact information and save your changes.
  12. Verify your name to receive a verified icon.
  13. Search your name in Google. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you should find the link to your Google profile. For example the "Nick James" example demonstrated in this article is visible at the bottom of this Google result.



Tips

  • Make sure to select "Display my full name so I can be found in search" on the edit screen or your profile will not appear.
  • Try to make your profile a one stop shop for employers or others who may search for you, to draw attention away from unwanted search results.
  • Link to your profile from your other internet sites to increase its visibility.
  • Add a lot of Avoid Generalizations in Writing by Incorporating Details and photos to distinguish your profile from others with the same name.
  • To remove other references to yourself see How to Ungoogle Yourself.

Warnings

  • This does not remove other results that will appear when someone searches for your name nor will it deter anyone intent on tracking you across the internet. Once information is on the internet it will always be there in some form, so always be careful what you post attached to your name.

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