When you think about the holiday season, what comes to mind? Shopping? Traveling? Hanging out with family? Probably not your online reputation, right?
But here’s the thing: While most people are kicking back and taking a break, smart professionals and businesses are using this time to get ahead. It’s actually one of the best times of year to improve your online presence and control your online reputation.
Think of it like this: Imagine your favorite sports team takes a break for the holidays. While everyone else is relaxing, you’re still practicing. So when the season starts back up, you’re faster, stronger, and far more prepared. That’s exactly what building your online reputation during the holidays can do for you.
Even though it’s a slower time, online traffic actually goes up, and not just for shopping, but for researching businesses, planning projects for next year, and checking out future partners. If your name or company isn’t showing up in a good way, you might miss out on opportunities and decisions happening behind the scenes.
This blog will show you how to use the holiday slowdown to your advantage, so when the new year rolls in, you’re not trying to catch up. You’re already ahead of the game.
Start With a Reputation Check-In
Before diving into holiday sales or big marketing plans, pause for a second. First, you need to assess how you actually look online right now. This step is called a reputation audit, and it’s the foundation of everything that follows.
Start simple: Google your name, business, and key offerings. What do people see on the first page of results? Are your profiles up to date? Are there any outdated articles or poor reviews that still linger?
You should also check your social media presence across platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook. Does your content match your current brand voice and reputation goals? If your last update was in the summer or early fall, it’s time to refresh your content and optimize it for the season. You can’t influence what others think if you’re not controlling what they see, and the holidays are the perfect time to take control.
Optimize Your Social Media for Seasonal Visibility
Around November and December, social media gets really busy. Everyone’s posting holiday photos, year-end updates, and festive promos. So if you want your posts to actually stand out, you’ve got to be intentional.
This is a great time to show the human side of your brand—what you care about, what you’ve accomplished, and how you connect with others.
Start by updating your bio or headline. Add a message of thanks, mention a holiday special, or share something positive about the year ahead. Then, post content that feels generous, uplifting, and personal. This might look like sharing a “Year in Review” with your highlights, acknowledging your team for all their hard work, or thanking your clients for their support this year.
These types of posts aren’t just nice; they help people trust you more.
And don’t forget: Social media is a two-way street. If someone comments on your post, reply. If a customer tags you in a photo or shares something positive about your business, reshare it. Being active and involved shows that you care, and the more consistent you are, the more the platforms will boost your content.
Put in the effort now, and you’ll see results well into the new year.
Leverage Holiday Searches to Get Discovered
During the holidays, people aren’t just shopping, they’re also searching for ideas, services, and ways to prepare for the new year. That means there’s more online traffic than usual, and if you play it smart, you can claim some of that traffic.
One way to make that happen? Create content that connects what you do with what people are already looking for this time of year. For example:
- If you’re a consultant, write a blog about setting smart goals for 2026.
- If you work in personal branding, share tips for updating a LinkedIn profile before January.
- Run a service business? Post a helpful holiday checklist or end-of-year reminder.
Use words and phrases people might actually type into Google, but make sure they fit naturally. It’s not just about showing up in searches. It’s about showing up well.
Focus on freshening up your current content. Add a holiday message to your homepage, include seasonal offers, or update links on your top pages. Little tweaks like these show both your visitors and search engines that your website is active and up to date.
Use Positive Press to Strengthen Your Image
The holidays are a great time to put your best foot forward, especially online. People are in a more positive, hopeful mood, which makes it the perfect time to share good news about you or your business.
Have you been featured in a podcast, article, or interview recently? Don’t keep it quiet. Reshare and add a holiday message or end-of-year reflection to make it feel timely. Positive content like this tends to get more attention during this season.
If your online image has recently taken a hit from a bad review or an unfair article, one of the smartest things you can do is post more positive, high-quality content. Every new blog post, press mention, or updated profile helps suppress negative content by pushing it further down in search results, where fewer people see it.
Engage with Holiday Events and Local Outreach
Even in a digital world, offline efforts influence your online reputation. In fact, things like joining a holiday charity drive, sponsoring a local event, or hosting a webinar can significantly impact your online reputation, especially when you share those moments across your social platforms.
This is the perfect time to show what your brand truly values. Whether it’s your company culture, leadership, or commitment to the community, let people see it in action. If you’re doing something meaningful, make sure it’s visible online.
When your online content reflects your real values and actions, it boosts your credibility.
Prepare Your Profile for the New Year Surge
The digital world doesn’t pause for the holidays, but your competitors often do. By getting ahead during the winter months, you position yourself to lead when the new year begins. That might mean investing in an updated professional photo, rewriting your bio, or collecting testimonials while people are still in the giving spirit.
Take the time to clean up broken links, refresh outdated content, and eliminate inconsistencies in your profiles. A cohesive, polished online image speaks volumes, especially to those who are comparing options during peak hiring or business planning seasons.
Don’t Wait Until January—Start Today
When it comes to reputation, timing matters. Most people wait until the new year to make changes, but that’s exactly why you should act now. By laying the groundwork in December, you gain momentum while others are distracted.
At Online Reputations, we help individuals and businesses get ahead of reputation risks and plan for the future. Whether you’re battling outdated articles, low ratings, or simply want to look your best going into Q1, we’re here to help you create your narrative before it gets written for you.
