What happens when someone Googles your name?

If you don’t know, stop reading right now and try it.

🔍 Type your name into Google.

✔️ Does your website appear on the first page?
✔️ Are your YouTube videos and social media links visible?
✔️ Do outdated competition results, irrelevant links, or even embarrassing posts from years ago show up?

Here’s the hard truth: Google is your first impression.

Before people hear your music, before they meet you in person, before they decide to book you, they will Google you. And if they don’t like what they see (or worse—if they find nothing at all), you’re at a disadvantage.

So, how do you control your digital presence and make sure your online reputation matches the musician you are today?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to Google-proofing your career.

1. Own Your Name: Secure Your Online Presence

If someone searches your name and you’re not the first result, that’s a problem.

🎶 How to fix it:
✔️ Buy your domain name (www.YourName.com).
✔️ Create a professional website (even a simple one-page site helps).
✔️ Claim your name on social media (Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter).

💡 Why? Search engines prioritize official websites and social media profiles. If you don’t have them, you’re leaving your reputation in the hands of random search results.

2. Clean Up Old, Irrelevant, or Embarrassing Content

Google has a long memory. Anything you posted years ago could still show up in searches.

🎶 How to clean up your digital past:
✔️ Delete or make private any old, unprofessional social media posts.
✔️ Ask websites to remove outdated or inaccurate information (email them politely).
✔️ Check old forum posts, comment sections, or blogs where your name might appear.

💡 Pro Tip: If you can’t delete something, push it down in search results by adding more high-quality content (see step 3).

3. Control the First Page of Google: Create High-Value Content

Google ranks the most relevant and active pages first. If you don’t create content, someone else will define your online presence for you.

🎶 What you need to dominate search results:
✔️ A well-optimized website (your bio, videos, concert schedule, press mentions).
✔️ A professional YouTube channel (videos appear high in searches).
✔️ A LinkedIn profile (Google prioritizes LinkedIn for professional searches).
✔️ Guest articles or interviews (write for music blogs or get featured in online magazines).

💡 Pro Tip: Google rewards fresh content. Updating your website and posting videos regularly helps push your name to the top of search results.

4. Improve Your Bio & Link to Credible Sources

Your bio is one of the most searched-for pieces of information about you. If your bio is scattered across different platforms and outdated, you’re confusing Google—and your audience.

🎶 How to optimize your bio:
✔️ Write one strong, updated bio and use it consistently everywhere (website, social media, press materials).
✔️ Use keywords (e.g., “Award-winning violinist based in New York” rather than just “musician”).
✔️ Link to credible sources (major performances, press coverage, collaborations).

💡 Why it works: Google prioritizes consistent, high-quality bios with links to authoritative websites.

5. Leverage YouTube & Google Business for Better Rankings

Did you know that YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world? Google owns YouTube, so videos rank highly in searches.

🎶 How to use YouTube to boost your online presence:
✔️ Upload at least one professional performance video (Google will rank it high).
✔️ Use clear video titles (“Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 3 – Performed by [Your Name]”).
✔️ Write detailed descriptions (mention your name, instrument, and website).

🎶 Google Business: Your Free Profile on Google
✔️ Go to Google Business Profile and create a free listing.
✔️ Add your website, bio, and professional photos.
✔️ Include keywords like ‘Concert Pianist in London’ so people find you.

💡 Why it works: Both YouTube and Google Business rank higher than random search results.

6. Get Featured in Online Articles & Press Mentions

The more credible sources mention you, the more Google trusts your name.

🎶 How to get press coverage:
✔️ Submit your bio to music blogs & online magazines.
✔️ Send press releases about your concerts & projects.
✔️ Collaborate with other musicians who have strong online visibility.

💡 Why it works: A mention in a respected music site (like The Violin Channel or Pianist Magazine) will rank higher than your personal pages.

7. Be Active on Social Media (But Strategically)

Google indexes social media pages, so your activity matters.

🎶 How to stay visible without spending hours online:
✔️ Post regularly (even once a week keeps you active).
✔️ Use consistent names & handles across platforms (e.g., @YourNameMusic).
✔️ Cross-link your social media to your website (Google follows these links).

💡 Pro Tip: Having an active presence on at least two social platforms helps push you to the top of search results.

Final Thought: Your Reputation is in Your Hands

Whether you like it or not, Google is your first impression.

If someone searches your name and finds nothing—or the wrong things—your career could suffer.

✔️ Own your digital presence (website, social media, YouTube).
✔️ Clean up outdated content and push down irrelevant results.
✔️ Control the first page of Google by creating quality content.
✔️ Get mentioned in online articles and link to credible sources.

Because in today’s world, you’re not just a musician—you’re also your own publicist.

🎶 Take charge of your online reputation today. Because if Google doesn’t know who you are, neither does your audience.