Online Reputation Management Statistics for the Years 2026

Reputation management statistics might help you understand that maintaining a clean online reputation is not optional anymore. The thing is that the information that appears when someone searches your name can influence everything from hiring and investment to partnerships and revenue. Moreover, online reputation management has become a strategic discipline because reputation attacks are becoming more and more sophisticated. 

NonDetected is always there to help you with solutions and advice. With digital exposure expanding and the cost of reputation mistakes rising, companies can no longer rely on reactive fixes. Instead, they need a data-driven ORM that understands the modern landscape, from fake reviews to defamation, takedowns, and AI-powered reputation risks.

Further, you can find a breakdown of the most current 2025–2026 statistics. These insights demonstrate not only the scale of the problem but also the real returns that smart ORM strategies deliver.

Main ORM Categories and Significant Statistics

If you still doubt that things are becoming more and more serious, you should get acquainted with the online reputation management statistics provided further. The latest data shows why services offered by agencies, such as NonDetected, matter more than ever. 

Online Reputation and Consumer Reviews

• A 2024 academic study introduced in the Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Economics and Social Sciences showed that consumers rate the significance of online reviews at 4.24 out of 5. Their average trust in the authenticity of those reviews, however, is more moderate, which implies significant skepticism. 
• Reviews still run the show. About 95% of buyers check reviews before pulling the trigger.
• In a 2024-2025 preprint, researcher Shawn Berry found strong evidence of “lying in online reviews”: in a sample of 351 Google reviews, deceptive posts were detectable and could be modeled statistically.
• Reviews actually sway choices. Around 93% of consumers admit reviews affect what they buy.

• According to Go-Beyond’s 2025 review data, 30 percent of consumers aged under 44 look at a review for every purchase.
• People don’t trust instantly. Most users scroll through 7 reviews before they’re convinced.
• In the same source, 57 percent of American online shoppers say reviews are “helpful and practical”, which highlights how significant they are for the buying process.
• One bad review hurts more than you think. A single negative post can scare off up to 30 potential customers.
• In continuation of the previous one, replying DOES save face. 88% of users trust brands more when they respond to reviews.
• Ignoring reviews backfires. Only 47% trust businesses that stay silent.
• According to Amra & Elma’s 2025 review-impact data, 95 percent of consumers read reviews before buying, while 93 percent report that reviews influence their decisions.
• The same study shows 62 percent of consumers are concerned about fake reviews, which implies growing awareness and distrust.
• Executives are nervous. Nearly 90% of leaders rank reputation as a top business risk.
• A clean image builds loyalty. 95% of consumers trust brands with a strong online reputation.
• Bad search results block careers. 80% of employers reject candidates due to online info.
• Employers check profiles nonstop. About 90% screen social media before hiring.

These online reviews statistics show that reviews remain influential when it comes to consumer decisions. That is why it is critical for businesses and individuals to make sure that their online reputation is positive. And if there is a page you want deindexed, we are here to help.

Defamation and False Information

This area is harder to quantify in publicly available neutral datasets, but some relevant trends emerge. While no major public academic study for 2024–2025 specifies global defamation case numbers, academic and technical research into deceptive content, like fake reviews, suggests that the same tools used for benign content creation are being utilized for reputational attacks.

For instance, the fake-review lying model above (Berry, 2024) reflects deeper distrust and potential for malicious use.

• Fake reviews annoy almost everyone. About 67% of consumers say they’re fed up with them.
• Most people have spotted fakes. Roughly 82% say they’ve seen fake reviews online.
• Google isn’t immune. About 10.7% of Google reviews are estimated to be fake.
• AI made things messy fast. Fake and AI-generated reviews jumped 700%+ since 2020.
• Regulators stepped in. The FTC tried to officially banned fake reviews in the US.

If a significant share of content is suspect or potentially manipulated, the risk of defamation, misinformation, and reputational harm rises. These reputation statistics matter, especially for individuals or brands without active reputation management from trustworthy agencies, such as NonDetected. 

Social Media & Public Perception

• Brands are under pressure online. 80% of users expect companies to stay accountable on social platforms.
• Social posts push sales. 76% of users bought something they first saw on social media.
• Reddit now shapes opinions. 21% of consumers use Reddit to check reviews.

That’s why we are offering social media content removal services to our clients.

Copyright Infringement

• WifiTalents reported in 2025 that around 95 percent of online content happens to be unauthorized copy or use. This implies that copyright infringement is a common thing these days.
• Content theft is everywhere. Around 95% of online content is reused without permission.
• The same source states that 60 percent of internet users have come across this kind of material, which implies that this issue is not typical to a certain niche.
• Users run into stolen material a lot. There is also the same 60% have seen unauthorized content online.

When you see such reputation statistics, you quickly realize that copyright violations can turn out to be both reputational and legal risk.

Takedowns and Content Removal

It is time to take a closer look at what facts say about content removal and takedowns:

• Google had to manage around 4 billion DMCA takedown notices in 2024, which can be found in the Google Transparency Report.
• By November 2024, engine`s search-deletion requests had gone beyond 10 billion URLs.
• Google processes takedowns nonstop. Over 9 billion URLs get flagged every year.
• Privacy removals keep climbing. More than 5 million EU requests filed under right-to-be-forgotten rules.
• Many links actually vanish. Google removes 51–56% of URLs requested for removal.
• TorrentFreak states that Google added more than 2 billion brand-new takedown URLs in a several months in 2024-2025. It means that the engine had to manage approximately 100 takedowns a week at some moments. 
• In 2025, people submitted almost 12 billion DMCA URL takedown requests to Google.

Our Internal ORM Statistics from NonDetected

Below are some of the statistics on ORM we can still share, taking into account NDAs signed with our clients.

• Page one is where things blow up. About 72% of clients reached out once harmful links popped up right on the first Google page and started dragging perception down.
• Small issues spiral fast. In 68% of cases, it all kicked off with just one or two bad URLs before things spread wider.
• Bad content pulls clicks like a magnet. Negative articles pulled in 2.3× more clicks than neutral mentions sitting in the same search spots.
• Waiting it out makes it worse. Cases handled within the first months were wrapped up clean 41% more often than those left to sit.
• Old links don’t die on their own. Around 38% of removed pages were three years old or more, yet still showing up and causing trouble.
• Taking content down sticks better. Direct removals held up 44% stronger over six months compared to push-down-only fixes.
• Cleanup brings traffic back. After issues were cleared, 63% of businesses saw inquiries pick back up within 30–45 days.

Who Is Most Likely to Face the Issue?

It is obvious that celebrities and public figures are more likely to face this kind of issue, and you do not need any reputation management stats to realize that. Their personal material and voices are often copied and misused.

At the same time, the truth is that this issue is not limited to celebrities anymore. Entrepreneurs, everyday users, private individuals, and job seekers now have to deal with the same risks. It means that anyone can become a target of impersonation, leaks, reputational attacks, and false content. 

Professional Support Can Be the Only Way Out

Seeing the online reputation statistics provided above, it is evident that any of us might face the issue. Even though you can try to solve it yourself, the best way is to ask for professional assistance from a reliable agency.

NonDetected, for example, guarantees the following:

1. Authenticity and compliance. Our experts utilize advanced detection methods to find AI-generated or fake reviews. We also help customers avoid FTC violations, especially in high-risk industries. 
2. Fast response and reputation protection. Our specialists utilize 24-hour response protocols for reputation crises and reviews. NonDetected monitors reputation and defamation attacks and applies takedown strategies when necessary. 
3. Proactive reputation building. As you can pick from the digital reputation facts, it is critical to restore a positive image as quickly as possible. Our experts will help you generate legitimate reviews and other positive content to push down the negative results. 
4. Tailored strategies for every customer. We always consider the aspects of each and every case and choose the best solution for every client. For employer branding, for example, our specialists often align ORM work with recruitment messaging. This way, a strong reputation improves hiring. 

Final Words

In 2025 and beyond, online reputation is a core business asset. What percent of consumers read online reviews before buying a product? The answer is a significant part of them. Any individual or business that ignores this risk will not only face brand damage but will also deal with lost revenue, talent, and trust. That is where NonDetected can help you. With our blend of technical, legal, and strategic expertise, we are uniquely equipped to protect and build reputations in today’s high-risk digital world.

Let’s make reputation your growth engine, not your vulnerability. Reach out to NonDetected to design a tailored ORM strategy. Our brand will help you if you need to clean your digital presence, defend against defamation, or proactively build trust.