What Happens When a Mugshot Outranks Your Career on Google?

April 23, 2025

You’ve worked hard—put in the time, the effort, the long nights building your career. Maybe you’re preparing to switch industries, apply for a leadership role, or finally go after that opportunity you’ve been waiting for. Then someone Googles you. Not your recent projects. Not the products you’ve helped build. Instead, a mugshot—years old—shows up at the top.

That one image is now shaping the first impression of everything you’ve accomplished.

This situation is more common than you might think. Technology has made our past more searchable than ever. Google indexes billions of pages, and mugshots from public records, arrest aggregators, and news archives often outrank resumes, research, and even company press releases. In today’s workforce—where people constantly check professional credibility online—what shows up can alter your path forward.

The good news? You can take back control.

What Is a Mugshot—and Why Does It Appear Online?

A mugshot is a booking photo taken after an arrest. It is a standard part of the legal process and, in many states, is considered a public record. Once it’s uploaded by a local agency or picked up by a news outlet or aggregator site, it becomes searchable and very visible.

Websites that display these images often resemble news sources, pairing names with charges, dates, and details from the police department. Search engines like Google recognize it as relevant content. However, employers may interpret it as a red flag, regardless of the case’s outcome.

How a Mugshot Can Disrupt a Career on Google

When people research your name, especially during hiring or networking, they’re evaluating your credibility. They want to know what you’ve built, who you’ve worked with, and what you’ve achieved.

A mugshot that ranks higher than your accomplishments can:

• Diminish your work and professional reputation
• Raise doubts during decision-making processes
• Influence how clients, recruiters, or investors perceive you

Even with years of learning and growth behind you, that image can shape how your story is perceived.

This issue goes beyond just a resume. It’s about access to new opportunities. Whether you’re looking to advance within your current company or explore new career paths, your online presence can have a significant impact.

Why Mugshots Rank So High in Search Results

Google’s algorithms prioritize content based on relevance, popularity, and structure. Mugshot pages tend to perform well because they:

• Use your full name in titles, URLs, and metadata
• Appear on high-authority domains or news sources
• Are shared across multiple aggregator platforms

They’re built to stay visible—and to dominate search rankings.

How to Reclaim Your Online Reputation

You can shift the focus back to your accomplishments. Here’s how:

1. Start with the Source

Locate the site that published the mugshot. Many allow you to submit a removal request with proper documentation, such as proof of expungement or a court order.

Prepare a clear, professional message. Include your name, details about the arrest, and relevant documents. Many site owners will honor a respectful request.

2. Submit a Request to Google

If the mugshot remains in search results after being removed from the original site, you can request that Google deindex it. Use their content removal tool and back your request with legal proof and a clear rationale.

3. Work with Online Reputation Experts

Reputation management companies specialize in shifting search results. They can:

• Develop original content that highlights your expertise
• Promote articles and projects you’ve worked on
• Push positive, relevant content to higher visibility

Think of them as your digital brand builders—helping you grow your online presence while cleaning up what shouldn’t be there.

4. Build and Share What You’re Proud Of

You control what you publish. Take advantage of that. Use LinkedIn, Medium, or your personal website to spotlight your work:

• Highlight the teams you’ve led
• Talk about the products you’ve helped create
• Share learning experiences and industry events you’ve attended
• Write about research or innovation you’ve contributed to

Fresh, relevant content signals to Google that you’re active and trustworthy. Over time, this causes outdated content to be pushed lower in rankings.

Create a Career-Focused Digital Presence

A strong online narrative can open doors and rebuild trust. To tell your story on your terms, consider:

• Launching a personal website that showcases your projects and expertise
• Publishing case studies or portfolio pieces
• Gathering testimonials from people who’ve worked with you
• Blogging about your field, lessons learned, or industry trends

These assets work together to replace outdated narratives with your authentic voice.

Legal Options That Strengthen Your Case

If your mugshot is tied to a sealed case or a dismissed charge, explore expungement or record sealing. Legal tools like these can:

• Officially clear your record
• Support removal requests with concrete documentation
• Improve your eligibility for future opportunities

Not sure where to start? A legal professional or nonprofit group can guide you through the process.

Your Career Deserves the Spotlight

You’ve built real value through effort, learning, and collaboration. A dated photo should never be the first thing people see.

When someone checks your name, they should find your work, your voice, and your future—not a headline from the past.

Free Mugshot Removal Analysis