The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Yourself After Going Viral for the Wrong Reasons
A Step-by-Step Guide to Protecting Yourself from Online Harassment, False Accusations, and Reputation Damage
The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Yourself After Going Viral for the Wrong Reasons
Imagine this:
A news article mistakenly links your name to a crime or controversy, and now strangers are sending you death threats.
You’re filmed in public without context, and the clip goes viral with false claims about your behaviour.
Someone with a large following posts about you on TikTok, twisting the truth, and suddenly thousands of people are attacking you online.
A journalist prints your name in connection with a story you have nothing to do with, and now your employer is getting emails demanding you be fired.
You post something harmless, but people misinterpret it, and now you're being dragged across social media.
You don’t need to be famous for the internet to turn against you. This happens to ordinary people every day, and it can affect your mental health, job, personal safety, and reputation.
I’ve had people reach out to me in these situations. Some were mistaken for someone else in the news, received death threats over something they never said, or found themselves in the middle of an online storm that spiralled out of control.
If this happens to a public figure, they often have a crisis PR team ready to handle it. But if you don’t have the budget for professional help, you need to act fast and take control of the situation yourself. Here’s exactly what you need to do.
1. Lock Down Personal Information Immediately
People who go viral for the wrong reasons often have their location, workplace, and family details exposed within hours.
Set all social media accounts to private to stop strangers from digging through your posts.
Remove or hide photos of children. If they are in school uniforms, it can reveal their location, making them vulnerable.
Delete anything that could reveal where you live, including local landmarks, check-ins, or visible house numbers in photos.
Remove your workplace from LinkedIn and other social profiles. If a clip of you is being shared online, people will attempt to contact your employer, post fake negative reviews about the business, and pressure them to take action.
2. Prepare for Your Work to Be Contacted
Even if the viral moment is out of context or completely unfair, people online will often find where you work and send emails or calls demanding action. Some workplaces will fire people instantly just to avoid bad PR.
If possible, give your employer a heads-up before they find out from strangers. If there’s even a chance they could be contacted, let them hear it from you first.
If you are self-employed, remove your contact details from any public profiles. People have been known to harass businesses, flood them with fake reviews, or even make threats.
If you work for a company that is likely to react without investigating, consider preemptively asking for legal advice in case you are unfairly dismissed. Some lawyers offer free consultations and can advise on your rights.
3. Check What’s Being Said About You Online
Google your name and see what comes up. If misinformation is spreading, screenshot everything as evidence.
Search social media platforms for your name or username to track where the viral content is spreading.
If wrongful wording is being used against you that could impact your job or reputation, contact Google or the website provider. Many platforms allow you to request content removal if it’s defamatory or misleading.
To be completely transparent, this rarely works, but it’s worth a shot. I’d recommend buying Meta Verified to access live chat if the issues are on Instagram or Facebook. TikTok is close to impossible, there’s little to no policing there, and X (Twitter) is the same, unfortunately. Google is very helpful, and they have an accessible live chat for YouTube if videos need to be removed.
4. Push Down Negative Search Results
If I were working with a client in this situation, I would use press removals, positive press placements, and SEO techniques to bury negative results. If you don’t have access to professional crisis PR, here’s what you can do yourself.
Fill Up Google With New Content Using Your Name
Create or update your LinkedIn profile with a new post, even if it’s just a professional update.
Write a blog post under your own name on Medium, Substack, or a personal website.
Sign up for online directories or forums using your real name, so neutral or positive content appears when people search for you.
Update old profiles like personal websites, author bios, or industry forums to refresh their ranking.
The more fresh, legitimate content you have under your name, the harder it is for negative stories to dominate search results.
5. If People Are Making Videos About You
If your name is being discussed in reaction videos, podcasts, or YouTube breakdowns, it can feel overwhelming.
Avoid watching them if you don’t need to. Constantly refreshing and checking what’s being said will only make it worse.
If the video contains false information, report it. If it’s defamatory, you may have grounds for a takedown request.
If someone is profiting from talking about you, consider responding privately first before escalating it legally.
6. Reporting to the Police – When Can You Take Legal Action?
In the UK, you can report online threats or harassment to the police, but certain criteria must be met for them to take action.
You Can Report If
You receive credible threats of violence against you or your family.
Someone is publishing your private information (doxxing) with the intent to cause harm.
You are being subjected to harassment, stalking, or persistent abuse.
Someone is impersonating you to spread false, damaging claims.
To report harassment, visit your local police station or file a report online through Action Fraud UK or the National Cyber Security Centre. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
7. Mental Health Support – It’s a Lot to Deal With
Going viral for the wrong reasons can feel completely overwhelming. People underestimate how damaging this can be. Even if it blows over, the stress, fear, and anxiety can last a long time.
If you are struggling, consider reaching out to:
Mind UK – Mental health support services (www.mind.org.uk)
Samaritans – Confidential listening and emotional support (116 123, www.samaritans.org)
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – For support with stress and anxiety (www.thecalmzone.net)
If you’re receiving extreme harassment and feel unsafe, speak to someone you trust or a professional for advice on how to handle it.
Final Thought: You Don’t Have to Be Famous to Need Crisis PR
We’re all one bad edit, misleading caption, or viral post away from becoming the internet’s next target. If it happens to you, staying calm, taking control of your online presence, and knowing when to respond can make all the difference.
If you’re genuinely struggling and don’t know what to do, contact me, and I’ll see if there’s anything I can do to help, free of charge. I can’t promise I can help everyone, but I’ll do what I can.