[AngstyLady]

ans there are all these other people who have that name for flickr, instagram, something called 'pinoyexchange', as wel as actual links to my posts here.
I mentioned this name to my new boyfriend- I hope he didn't Google it either- and plus thing some of those other accounts are mine- 'cuz I don't have instagram or anything. I only use it here, and for my youtube address. Hmmm I think I might change my profile name. . . . .

If google couldn't index psychcentral no one would be able to find it.

[-jimi-]

I never post anything personal on here.

If I need to make a personal post I use another forum which has an open part and an off-google part so you can choose where to post.

[-jimi-]

Also I think when you sign up it warns you to use a nick that can be lead back to you, says not reuse a nick you use elsewhere.

Actually, using different user names for most things is a good idea...

[AngstyLady]

yeah, I only recently have used my name for an app on my phone, other than that, no one would know-

[LiteraryLark]

I googled my profile name, found exactly what I expected.

[Harley47]

According to Google, Harley47 is a 48 year old guy seeking a date.

Google is...a little off base there, to say the least.

[archipelago]

I googled my name here and just the abbreviation "psych" and it had all my posts right at the top! I really didn't realize that this stuff could be so public. Luckily I've been careful and I don't use this name elsewhere, but I'm training to be a therapist so I wouldn't want my future clients to have that kind of access to me. I'll have to think about this. Thanks for bringing this up.

[00642]

I use this username for a few forums but if anyone googled it, well, what do you think?
Just a few numbers is perfect for not really being found

[redbandit]

All I found when I googled my name was some band called red bandit. If you find your PC profile though, how does somebody know it's you, unless you use a very obscure name? Just curious

[sabby]

Just so ya'll are up to speed about google results, here is what DocJohn explains:

Yes, the community is indexed by search engines.

When a new member signs up with us, right above where they choose their username is this set of directions:

Quote:
When choosing a username:

- Do not choose a username that could identify you in real life
- Do not choose a username used on other online forums
- Do not use profanity in your username
- Do not use your email address or real name

Search engines index our community (e.g., your public posts), so choose your username wisely.

If you want to change your username, drop me or any admin a PM and we can make that happen.

DocJohn

[dillpickle1983]

Well I googled myself...There I was on some things. Oh well I'm not concerned. I'm dillpickle 1983 in several different spellings, acronyms etc on several sites. I'm personally not worried about it. I did not show up here on google except a birthday post, which my name wasn't included.

[Canyon]

I always choose names that are sort of everyday words (with no numbers) but might mean something to me. The google hits for such words, especially if a noun are astronomical.

[Liberada]

I google my name and everything comes up in Spanish. And I don't speak Spanish so I have no idea what it says. But Liberada in Spanish means Released.

[Webgoji]

Lol! Googling my username gives quite a few links. Many of which have stuff that's far scarier than what I put on PC!

[Webgoji]

Oh, and the superfood one ... that isn't me.

They're talking about Goji berries. I get mine from the names given to the various Godzilla costumes.

[Squirrel1983]

Hmm. When I googled just my profile name, it gave things that were not me (I checked through the first 5 pages of results and none were me).

However, when I googled my profile name with "psych" it brought up a couple of my posts and then a bunch of garbage.

I'm not too concerned about it though.

GOOGLISM.COM: Fun for the whole family! ha.

[steelfang]

Apparently my username is a battle item in many video games. What a relief.

[MuseumGhost]

I googled my user name, and absolutely nothing came up connecting me in any way with Psych Central. (Lots of links to Haunted Museums and Ghost tours, but that's about it.)

And even if it had, I definitely wouldn't worry--because anyone going to those lengths to try and 'find me out' has frankly got worse psychological issues than I do!!

Thanks for the great reminders about protecting our privacy, and providing again the tips Dr. John gives on this.

I kid around, but I do also know & respect the need for keeping things out of the wrong hands.

[possum220]

Oh My................ big trouble............ that will teach me for being lazy and using not changing my profile name more................ grrrrrrrr

[Nicks_Nose]

I did find postings either by me or to me on PC. Interesting realization.

[deeronjepsuhn]

I use this username for a lot of different things.
Mostly because I know sites get indexed so I know not too say my name.
Googling your real name can be scary. My name is unique so there's some stuff on me.

That is why I gave myself the name of a famous superheroine. That way, if anyone tries to find me on Google by looking up my username, all they will see is pictures of Starfire.

[Perna]

It is just what you have already posted here, which is public anyway so why someone would look up what they know is there (or wouldn't know to look up :-) But there's nothing anywhere to connect the nick to the real "you" unless you use the nick other places too, etc.