When I searched my name in Google, I came across various results. The ones that were actually related to me had to do with athletics and organizations that I had been involved in during either High school or here at the University of Michigan. The other results that were found were of sites that had some parts of my name in the URL or description of the site. When I did a Google image search I came across no images of me, but many of the famous actor Omar Sharif. I am satisfied with the amount of information that I can find about myself on Google, but I would prefer to be able to find at least one image of myself through the Google i9mage search.
The advantages of appearing in Google search are that you can find quick information about yourself. It allows organizations to get a somewhat quick overview of who you are. This would be based on the organizations you are involved in, the honors you received, or even how involved you are on the Internet. Despite this there are several limitations to appearing in a Google search. The main one is that you do not control what information is out there on Google. Therefore there might be compromising information about you that is open to the public. This can cause serious problems for your future development and especially if you want to have a respectable career.
Good thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting that you would prefer to have found an image of yourself on the Google image search. I almost had a panic attack when I saw mine pop up! I completely agree with the limitations you described. Its slightly disempowering to know that we have virtually no control over what comes up after we search our names. The fact that future employers can access information about us without or knowledge is not exactly comforting.
You brought up some good points about the advantages and disadvantages of appearing in a Google search. It is very true that you have no control over what images of you appear in a Google search. Unlike you, for this reason I would not like to be Googleable. I think that pictures can too easily be misconstrued and therefore would be wary of having pictures of me appear on Google.
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