The Business of Burying Internet Search Results

Peter O'Dowd of NPR has written an interesting article about suppressing search engine results entitled "The Business of Burying Internet Search Results." Take five minutes and listen to the story - it's well worth it. The story provides a quick overview of the ways Search Engine Optimization (or SEO) is changing how successful marketing campaigns are created and implemented.

One great take away from the article: be aware of your company's presence online. Is your company the first thing potential customers see when researching you on Google? Or do they see the exaggerated claims of a former client? Or is a competitor using your company's name for their own benefit (as was the case in a recent local Des Moines conflict involving Kosama and Farrell's)?

The best way to find out: go to google.com, enter your company's name, and check out the results.