Cybersecurity 
St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), located in Vienna, Austria, is one of Europe’s leading centres for paediatric cancer research. Operating in the healthcare industry
5 min read
Published on April 12, 2024
Updated on June 12, 2025.
A positive digital footprint is the compilation of online activity that reflects your character and values in a good light. Making a positive digital footprint is essential to building a professional and respectful online identity. To create a positive digital footprint, remove negative content, share optimistic comments, think before posting and interact kindly with others online.
Continue reading to learn more about a positive digital footprint, tips to create one and examples of what a positive digital footprint should look like.
What does it mean to have a positive digital footprint?
Having a positive digital footprint includes everything from professional profiles and social media posts to comments on blog posts. When someone searches your name online, a positive digital footprint ensures they find content that depicts you as credible and responsible.
However, it’s important to note that a positive digital footprint doesn’t mean erasing your unique personality or acting overly professional. It just means being intentional about what you share and post online. By not partaking in toxic activity, spreading misinformation and oversharing private information, you help prevent your digital identity from becoming a liability in both your personal and professional lives.
5 tips for creating a positive digital footprint
Creating a positive digital footprint starts with being aware of what’s already online about you. Whether you’re applying for jobs or simply maintaining your reputation, these tips will help you make a digital footprint that depicts your best self.
1. Review your existing online presence
To ensure a positive online presence, it’s important to review your existing digital footprint carefully.
- Start by searching your name on search engines, checking your social media profiles and reading any posts you’ve commented on.
- Remove or hide any content that could be seen as offensive, inappropriate or controversial. This content includes posts with unprofessional language, hurtful jokes or anything that can be misinterpreted.
- Untag yourself from questionable content shared by others, especially if they don’t align with your values. If you can’t delete certain content, you can even reach out to the social media platform or the original poster to request your tag removal.
2. Post with purpose and kindness on social media
After you’ve removed the negative content, it’s time to start posting more intentionally and positively. Share content that shows your interests and achievements – whether it’s your skills, hobbies, projects or volunteer work. Use a combination of photos, videos and captions to show off your unique personality and passions. Keep this in mind whenever you learn a new skill or attend a professional networking event.
3. Think before you post
Before you hit “post” or “share” on anything, ask yourself if you would be comfortable with a future employer or family member seeing the content. If the answer is no, delete the content from your drafts. Avoid oversharing personal information, especially with Personally Identifiable Information (PII) like your driver’s license or home address. Even seemingly harmless posts can be used against you.
4. Be respectful and kind in online interactions
Every comment, message or reply you post goes toward your digital footprint. That’s why you should avoid arguing with people online, using offensive language or engaging with trolls. Instead, be respectful and constructive no matter who you interact with online – friends, coworkers, strangers, family members, etc. Being professional and kind online goes a long way in shaping how you’re viewed by others, potentially improving your networking opportunities.
5. Manage your privacy settings
Remember that not everything needs to be public. Review the privacy settings on your social media and online accounts to keep your data safe online. Customize your settings so personal content is only accessible to friends and family. Consider setting your professional accounts like LinkedIn to be more public to demonstrate your skills and work experience, while keeping your personal social media accounts like Instagram and Facebook private.
Positive digital footprint examples
When you create a positive digital footprint, you aren’t just removing harmful content but are intentionally posting to reflect the best version of yourself. Here are some real-world examples of what a positive digital footprint can include.
- Thoughtful social media behavior: Sharing inspirational or educational content on your social media accounts can show your unique interests. Post about your volunteer experiences or professional milestones to set you apart from other job candidates.
- Updated LinkedIn profile: Keeping your LinkedIn profile current with your work experience, certifications and skills makes it easier for employers to find you credible. An updated LinkedIn profile is an online résumé that expands your reach in your field.
- Personal websites or portfolios: If you’re a creative person or a student, making an online portfolio is a great way to show off your projects and demonstrate your work ethic. By including school projects, freelance opportunities or creative pieces, you show your unique talents and give clients or employers proof of your skills.
Use Keeper® to help protect your digital footprint
Even though creating a digital footprint is a great practice, protecting your digital footprint is just as important. Keeper® can help keep your online accounts secure and your personal information private by storing passwords for all your accounts, monitoring the dark web for potential data breaches and generating strong, unique passwords. With Keeper, you protect your personal information and maintain a positive digital footprint by keeping your online identity safe.
Start your free trial of Keeper today to help protect your personal information and digital footprint.
Frequently asked questions
What things can be positive or negative in a digital footprint?
Positive parts of a digital footprint include professional social media posts, online portfolios sharing your work or skills, thoughtful articles on your expertise in a field, respectful comments on public platforms, involvement in volunteer work and sharing professional milestones or accomplishments.
Negative parts of a digital footprint include inappropriate social media posts, arguments on public platforms, sharing misinformation without context, being tagged in offensive posts, oversharing sensitive information or having inactive accounts that can mislead people about your credibility.
Can a digital footprint be deleted?
Completely erasing a digital footprint is impossible, but parts of it can be removed or cleaned up. To manage your digital footprint, delete old social media posts that don’t reflect your values, delete unused accounts, opt out of people search sites and review your privacy settings to control who can view your content. Although you can’t erase every part of your online identity, you can reduce your digital footprint by being intentional about what you post.
What are the advantages of a positive digital footprint?
Having a positive digital footprint makes a strong first impression with anyone who looks you up online. It builds trust and credibility by showing your values, skills and achievements in a respectful way. A positive digital footprint can also expand your networking opportunities, develop your career and form better relationships with others.
