Negative Youtube Review - Reputation Management

[jastos]

One of our clients had a negative youtube review which is really hurting their reputation. The problem was solved and not even at fault of our client.  The uploader of the video was contacted, but has forgotten the username/password on the account.

If you search for the brand name of the company, this video shows up 2nd on organic google results which is pretty embarrassing.

What strategies would you all use to minimize the effects of this video?  Would you buy an adword for the company name to push the video down?

[itrogers]

I would think that buying AdWords for your brand name would be a good/affordable solution until you outrank that video. Benefits are:

• Those ads could potentially move the negative video down the page visually.
• Clickthroughs to your site will be affordable.

[irvingw]

"The uploader of the video was contacted, but has forgotten the username/password on the account."

that sounds like he is willing to take it down but doesn't know how to? if that is the case i would work with him to get access to that account and delete it. Even if you have to offer to pay him a few bucks via paypal it's worth it if it's ranking well and getting hits - and it must be if it is ranking #2 for your company name that' huge. Get it removed it's costing you business.

[anthonydnelson]

Adwords will help a bit. Many people don't click on Ads that often, and a video thumbnail is very enticing for a click-through. Especially one that appears negative.

[jastos]

Thank you both for your replies.  We are currently designing their new site, which will have video testimonials embedded.  Those testimonials are already up on youtube, but the negative review seems to be ranking higher because it has the most views.  Hopefully once embedded, they will push the negative down. It seems like the total number of views has the most dramatic impact on SERPS in this case.

Does anyone see a reason why adwords wouldn't be a good short term fix?

[itrogers]

It might be a good idea for your client to get good reviews in video format. Have them contact their past customers who are happy and would be willing to review them on camera. Post these video testimonials on YouTube and embed them on the client website.

You can also have the company create an "Brand Name - About Us" video which gives insight into the company for prospects. Explain how they do business and why they are best choice over their competition. You can also ask questions in the video and encourage watchers to comment.

If these videos you create have more interaction and more popularity than the other negative video, and is relevant for the same search terms (Brand Name) then that negative video will probably drop off the first page of organic / universal results.

[anthonydnelson]

Adwords is definitely an option and may help a bit.

Some other things I would try is to create a Facebook Page, Twitter Profile, G+ Page, Wikipedia Entry, YouTube Channel and Linked-In Company Profile. Official company pages on a strong domain like these, often has the ability to rank quite high and push down the other profiles.

Create these profiles and do a really good job filling them out. Full of information about your company. Then, link to them from your actual website. Build a few other easy links (comments, forums, whatever) to these social profiles. Get some link equity flowing their way.

Also, create your own YouTube video. Perhaps a newer video with a good title will push it out of that spot. Put the video on your website.

Good luck!