How to Search Your Name on Google Using Private Mode or Incognito Mode
Image Credit: Jennifer Hom
When was the last time you searched for someone’s name in Google? When was the last time you search for your own name on Google? What type of information were you looking for and what did you find?
Increasingly, we are relying on search engines on the internet to help us learn more about each other. Our personal brand online has become an important part of our professional asset. Having a strong visible personal brand online can help you attract better opportunities, inspire trust, and expand your network.
Most of us don’t know how to manage our online reputation and where to start. Did you know that you are in control of the information displayed about you online?
Most people who are searching for your name won’t look pass beyond page 3 of Google’s search results.
— Kaitlin Zhang (@KaitlinZhang) February 13, 2017
So all you need to do is to take control of the first 3 pages.
Always search your name in private mode or incognito mode because Google remembers who you are and your search history.
Depending on which web browser you use, you should search your name in the private mode (for Firefox, Safari, Internet Explore) and in the incognito mode (for Chrome). Browsing in the private mode disables your personal browsing history and the web cache, so the results you receive are what everybody else would see, rather than results targeting you specifically.
Google search for “beauty” by a florist in normal search mode
For example, if you were a florist, your search history is likely to contain a lot of flower related enquiries. So when you search for the word “beauty”, you are likely to see listings or images related to flowers in the result.
Google search for “beauty” in private mode
But for everybody else, the search for “beauty” is likely to bring up images of beautiful woman and no flowers at all. This means if you search for your own name without being in the private mode, the results will likely favor your name and rank it higher on the search results. You would get a misrepresentation on how your brand would be perceived by others and think that you are ranking higher than you actually are.
Therefore, browsing in the privacy mode is the best way to see how your name is viewed by others.
How to Search Your Name on Google Using Private Mode or Incognito Mode
Step 1: Open your browser
Step 2: Go to File > New Private Window or File > New Incognito Window
Step 3: Search the name you want to be known for in Google
Step 4: If you are an international brand, you should go to www.google.com instead of www.google.co.uk which shows more UK-focused results
Done!
Bonus Tip:
If you want to keep monitoring your name on the web, you should sign up for a free tool called Google Alerts, which sends you an email every time your name is mentioned online.
Do you want to improve your online presence and dominate the first page of Google?
Contact me for a private 1-1 consultant session today.
Recommended Reading:
5 Ways to Make Your Online Personal Brand Work for You
Are You Falling For These Top Five Myths About Personal Branding?
Sources:
Horn, Jennifer. “Audrey Hepburn’s 85th Birthday”. Google, 4 May 2014, https://www.google.com/doodles/audrey-hepburns-85th-birthday Accessed 14 Feb 2017.
