Pole dancing and aerial fitness have grown from niche activities into mainstream fitness trends. Studios are thriving, competitions are televised, and athletes are proving that pole and aerial arts are serious sports.
But old news articles don’t always reflect that progress.
A single outdated article can follow an athlete, instructor, or studio for years. Whether it’s a clickbait headline, a judgmental tone, or misinformation, an old story can still rank high on Google and damage reputations.
Here’s why old news articles still matter today—and how to fight back when they won’t go away.
How Old News Articles Can Hurt Pole & Aerial Athletes
1. Stigma from the Past Sticks Around
Pole dancing has faced decades of stigma. Even though it’s now recognized as a serious athletic discipline, early media coverage often framed it as controversial.
Example: An aerialist featured in a local news story 10 years ago might have been introduced as “a former exotic dancer” instead of “a pole athlete.” That framing sticks in search results, even if it’s outdated.
Athletes who have built careers in fitness, coaching, or competition may still find old headlines hurting their professional image.
2. Old Articles Show Up First on Google
Search engines prioritize older, high-traffic news sources. Even if the industry has changed, a negative article can outrank newer, accurate information.
- New clients Google an instructor’s name and see a judgmental news story from 2012.
- An aerial studio’s past controversy still ranks above their new press features.
- A competition champion’s career is overshadowed by an outdated interview.
If a headline or article is misleading, but still on page one of Google, it creates a lasting reputation problem.
3. Career & Sponsorship Opportunities at Risk
Many pole and aerial athletes expand beyond the studio. They launch fitness brands, work as personal trainers, or land sponsorships.
But brands, investors, and event organizers Google names before making decisions. If they find:
- A misleading article about a pole dancer’s past.
- A studio controversy from a decade ago.
- A headline that sounds negative, even if the article wasn’t.
It can cost business deals, partnerships, and professional credibility.
Why Old News Sticks Around
1. News Websites Have Strong Authority
Major news sites rank higher than personal blogs or social media pages. Even if a studio’s website or an athlete’s Instagram has great content, a news site will outrank them in Google searches.
2. Clickbait Headlines Get More Views
Old news articles stay visible because people still click on them. Sensational headlines get shared and searched, even when the actual content isn’t negative.
3. The Internet Never Forgets
Unlike social media, news articles don’t “disappear” over time. They get archived, linked to, and even republished.
If an article had false information, was biased, or didn’t tell the full story, it still lingers—hurting reputations years later.
Can You Remove Old News Articles?
1. Request a Content Update or Removal
If an article is misleading, false, or harmful, you can ask the news site to update or take it down.
Steps to Request a Change:
- Find the right contact. Look for the journalist, editor, or web team.
- Be professional and specific. Explain why the content is outdated or harmful.
- Request a retraction, correction, or update. If removal isn’t possible, ask for a headline change or content edit.
Some news sites won’t remove content but may correct errors or reframe the story.
2. Remove Negative Content from Google Search
If a news site won’t cooperate, the next step is to remove negative content from Google search and suppress the article in search rankings.
This means pushing it off page one of Google by ranking better, newer content above it.
- Create a website with strong SEO (yourname.com, yourstudio.com).
- Publish new articles, blog posts, or interviews that highlight achievements.
- Get featured in positive media coverage to bury the old article.
Google prioritizes fresh, relevant content. The more high-quality new content exists, the lower old news will rank.
3. Work with Reputation Experts
If an old article is severely damaging, professional help may be needed.
A reputation management team can:
- Request content removal through legal channels.
- Optimize new content to outrank negative press.
- Push old news down in search results faster.
For athletes, coaches, and studio owners dealing with major reputation damage, expert help can speed up the process.
How to Protect Your Reputation Moving Forward
1. Own Your Online Presence
If your name or business is searchable, control what appears first.
- Secure a personal website with your full name or brand name.
- Update LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook with strong content.
- Publish interviews, blogs, and guest articles to showcase expertise.
If Google is showing outdated news first, it’s time to create fresh content that reflects the present.
2. Monitor What’s Being Said
Set up Google Alerts for your name, studio, or brand. This notifies you whenever new content appears online.
The sooner you catch negative press, the faster you can respond.
3. Build Positive Press & Social Media Growth
A strong public image helps push old news down.
- Get featured in fitness magazines, blogs, or news articles.
- Collaborate with well-known influencers or brands.
- Encourage clients to leave positive reviews and testimonials.
New, high-traffic content overpowers old news in search rankings.
Final Takeaways
Old news articles can stick around for years, impacting pole dancers, aerialists, and studio owners.
- Misleading or outdated headlines still show up on Google.
- Stigma from the past can overshadow current success.
- Career opportunities and business growth may suffer.
To protect your future:
- Request corrections or updates from news sites.
- Push old news down with fresh, high-quality content.
- Monitor your online presence and stay proactive.
The best way to fight outdated news? Make sure the first thing people see is your success—not your past.
