Ever Googled yourself and noticed the worst article about you is the first thing people see?
You’re not imagining it. Negative news stories often rank higher than positive ones—and there’s a clear reason why.
Here’s what’s going on behind the scenes.
Learn More: How to Remove a News Article from Google
1. Google Prioritises Authority and Engagement
Search engines like Google rank content based on factors like:
- Domain authority — Big media outlets like CNN, The Guardian, or local news sites have strong reputations. Their articles automatically rank higher than content from small blogs or personal sites.
- Backlinks — If other websites link to the article, Google sees it as more important.
- Clicks and dwell time — If people click on the article and spend time reading it, that signals to Google that the content is relevant and useful.
Negative stories tend to attract more attention, which actually makes them perform better in search.
2. Controversy Drives Traffic
People are more likely to click on drama than praise. A headline like “CEO Accused of Fraud” grabs more attention than “CEO Hosts Charity Gala.”
Even if the negative article is older, it may still win because:
- It gets more engagement
- People share it more often
- Other sites link to it as a reference
That traffic tells Google the article is still relevant.
3. There’s Often Less Positive Content Competing
Most people don’t publish enough positive or neutral content about themselves. That leaves the bad stuff unchallenged.
If you’ve never built a strong online presence—like blogs, interviews, or media mentions—Google has no reason to show anything else.
It’s not just about deleting the bad. It’s about giving Google something better to show.
4. Fresh Content Doesn’t Always Win
Newer doesn’t mean better in Google’s eyes. Unless your recent content is well-optimised, authoritative, and linked to from other sources, it might not outrank that old article from five years ago.
Without SEO power behind it, your positive story won’t get the visibility it deserves.
So What Can You Do?
To push down negative press, you need a proper suppression strategy:
- Publish optimised content under your name (blogs, bios, interviews)
- Build strong social and business profiles (LinkedIn, Crunchbase, etc.)
- Pitch stories to reputable media outlets that rank well
- Use SEO to improve your own website or business listings
Over time, Google will start to show your positive content instead.
Final Thought
Negative articles stay at the top because Google thinks they’re useful, popular, and from credible sources. The only way to beat them is to outcompete them—with better content, stronger SEO, and consistent effort.
Need help turning things around?
Reputation Flare helps individuals and businesses bury bad press and build a search presence that works in your favour. Get a Free Quote and let’s clean up your page one.