INFORMATION SERVICES
http://go.qub.ac.uk/socialmedia
Taking control of your online reputation by
SOCIAL MEDIA AT QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
Dr Helen Dixon
CONNECT | RESPECT | PROTECT
Evaluating your online reputation If you use the Internet, chances are you already have an online reputation, even if you aren’t aware of it. Every time you share information or photographs on social media sites like Facebook, or post comments to Twitter or blogs, you are leaving behind a digital footprint. Others may add their own views about you (good or bad), contributing to the image of you that is portrayed online. Whilst some social media sites offer privacy settings, information posted to these sites can still be easily shared and often becomes public. Anyone, including colleagues and current or potential employers, can find this information and may use it to make judgements about you.
Do you know what is on the Internet about you? It’s a good idea to regularly review what information is available about you online. S EARCH ENGINES
Search for your name using a popular search engine, such as Google or Bing Search for images as well as text Try different variations of your name, any nicknames or profile names
How does your online reputation measure up? Think carefully about the story that your digital footprint is telling.
S OCIAL MEDIA SITES
Review what others have posted about you online Check photographs or updates that you’ve been tagged in – make sure you can approve Facebook tags before allowing them on your timeline Find out how sites can use your information and images Don’t forget about old social media profiles that you no longer use (Bebo?)
Is the information about you online accurate? Is there information online that you would prefer not to be public? Does the information available about you reflect the reputation you want to have? If you were an employer, what impression would you have based on the information available?
Remember, any information online will probably be searchable, may be permanent and could potentially be seen by anyone.