What is digital identity and digital reputation?

By: Carlota Gatius

In an increasingly digitalized context, all internet users and brands have a digital identity. However, it is often confused with the concept of digital reputation. While both aspects are crucial today for individuals as well as companies and organizations, it is essential to understand their differences. Therefore, we will explain what digital identity is and how it differs from digital reputation.

What is digital identity?

To begin, it’s important to clarify what digital identity is. When we talk about digital identity, we are referring to all the information that appears on the internet regarding a person, brand, or organization.

All the data placed there, the information that has been published, and the related content published by others that appears when a search is conducted using the name, constitute what is known as digital identity. In other words, digital identity is everything that is found on the web about us.

Digital identity is made up of a variety of elements with different origins, such as:

• Personal or professional profiles on social media and employment search portals, as well as other portals where personal accounts can be created.

• Digital content published on various platforms, both by oneself and by third parties.

• Comments made on social media, blogs, forums, and other information portals.

• Contacts made on different platforms and networks.

• Email addresses.

What is digital reputation?

Now that we’ve covered digital identity, it’s crucial to differentiate it from digital reputation. What is known today as digital reputation refers to the opinion others may have about a person, brand, or organization. This reputation can be more positive or negative depending on the information circulating online and the experiences others have had regarding the brand or business.

Digital reputation is something that often escapes the control of individuals and companies. This is because it reflects what others think about that identity. Moreover, digital reputation is shaped by the opinions that others leave about the person or company on different online platforms.

This is where the concept of negative digital reputation arises. This represents one of the major issues for brands today, as it refers to a widespread or expanding negative image of a brand, which can have a significant impact on its customers or potential customers, suppliers, advertisers, and even employees.

Conclusions

From the above, it can be concluded that while digital reputation and digital identity are different concepts, they are closely related. However, the main difference between them is that reputation is not based on what the company says about itself but tends to escape its control.

We suggest reading the article on the 7 factors that put your brand's digital reputation at risk to prevent any reputational risks your company or brand may face.

Nonetheless, today, it is possible to manage digital reputation to achieve the best results and avoid the consequences that a negative reputation can have on a brand’s development and growth. At 202 Digital Reputation, we manage our clients' reputations from start to finish and provide comprehensive 360° digital reputation management.