| As far back as May of 2005, Oprah, the darling of day | | | | simply ignore these complaints. |
| time television, has been ruthlessly attacked morning, | | | | Ordinary, small businesses cannot afford to ignore |
| noon and night. She is not even safe as she sleeps | | | | online attacks. Doctors, lawyers and officers of public |
| behind guarded gates and personal security. Despite | | | | companies are severely impacted by online complaints. |
| her estimated billion dollar net worth, she is helpless to | | | | Even state and national government officials cannot |
| defend herself. | | | | combat this new form of slander. Conventional |
| First there is There are multiple posts, comments and | | | | approaches to reputation management issues simply |
| even a mailing list for this series of attacks. Debbie | | | | do not work and ignoring such online information simply |
| Schlussel, a conservative political commentator, radio | | | | supports perceptions that such claims are true. |
| talk show host, columnist, and attorney owns this | | | | Fortunately, there are now reputation management |
| website and wastes no time in letting her opinion be | | | | service providers that represent clients against |
| known. | | | | negative search engine results. These reputation |
| Then there are the multiple YouTube attacks on | | | | advocates operate under yet another acronym; |
| Oprah. There are forums, blogs, posts on many | | | | SERM. Search Engine Reputation Management |
| different content sites and a dedicated website just so | | | | professionals bring a unique set of skills and address |
| people can voice their distaste for the her. | | | | these complaint sites and negative postings with |
| Adding insult to injury, this week the stalwart publication | | | | unconventional discretion. This service business is sure |
| Newsweek has come out against the global media | | | | to experience significant growth over the next few |
| diva. She has been attacked through virtually every | | | | years as these online search attacks grow in number |
| form of media, but none has given voice to the | | | | and veracity |
| masses more than the internet. What is the source of | | | | While the super stars and the super rich simply brush |
| my information you may ask? Google. Simple, straight | | | | aside attacks on their character, most cannot. As real |
| forward search results. Had these types of results | | | | income and real opportunity are impacted, all |
| been found for a small business owner or business | | | | professionals must monitor their online presence and |
| professional, their career would most likely have been | | | | manage the content found. Very few of us can simply |
| ruined. Fortunately, the big "O" has enough money to | | | | say "O" well... |