As a business owner, it’s natural to want to see how your company appears on Google. You open a browser, type in your business name, scroll through the results and then maybe panic a little when you don’t see your website ranking as high as you’d like.
Here’s the truth: constantly Googling your own business name can actually hurt your website’s performance in search results.
Let’s break down what’s really happening and what you should do instead.
What Happens When You Google Yourself
Every time you search your business on Google and don’t click on your own website, or bounce quickly, you’re sending negative engagement signals. These signals tell Google something like this:
“This site might not be relevant for this search term.”
Even if you know what you’re doing, the algorithm doesn’t. It tracks user behavior in aggregate. Repeated searches with no meaningful clicks or engagement can lower your perceived relevance over time.
You’re Teaching Google the Wrong Thing
When you frequently search your business name, especially from the same location or IP address, you’re essentially “training” Google to deprioritize your site or display different results based on your activity. This can lead to:
- Skewed search results that don’t reflect what new customers would see
- Lowered rankings due to weak engagement signals
- A false sense of where you actually appear in search
Real-World Impact: SEO Damage Over Time
We’ve worked with local businesses who unknowingly harmed their own SEO by obsessively checking rankings. They noticed their positions dropping over time and couldn’t figure out why.
The answer? Their own search habits were working against them.
Google personalizes results based on your behavior, location, and search history. What you see is not what your potential customers see.
What You Should Do Instead
Here’s how to check your rankings and online visibility the right way:
1. Use Google Search Console
This free tool from Google gives accurate data on where your site ranks, what keywords you’re showing up for, and how users are finding you.
2. Use an SEO Rank Tracker
Professional tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Ubersuggest show true, unbiased keyword rankings without personalization. (Although, ranking tools are inherently flawed because they lack geographic information, personalized behavior factors, and more).
3. Set Up Google Business Profile Insights
If you’re a local business, your Google Business Profile offers valuable insight into how often your business is appearing in searches and what actions users are taking.
4. Talk to a Pro
At 1 BIG WEB Design Marketing And Consulting, we offer simple, affordable SEO audits that show you exactly how you’re ranking without the guesswork. We’ll help you understand what’s working and what’s not.
Pro Tip: Focus on Visibility, Not Vanity
Your goal shouldn’t be to “see yourself” on page one. Your goal should be to show up for searches your customers are making, like:
- “Best auto repair near me”
- “Affordable estate planning San Diego”
- “Web design for small businesses”
These are the terms that generate real traffic and real revenue.
Let’s Help You Get Found (The Right Way)
If you’ve been Googling your business name every week it’s time to break the habit. With the right tools and guidance, you can actually improve your rankings without sending Google mixed signals.
Need help with SEO?
Contact us today for a free consultation or a full website visibility audit.
Remember: Stop searching. Start optimizing. And let your ideal customers find you…not the other way around.
