Free Square Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Masahiro Tokushima) conducted a survey on the "Awareness and Management Systems for Search Suggestions and Related Search Terms for Companies" targeting 330 executives and officers nationwide.

In recent years, search suggestions and related search terms displayed when searching for a company name or service name have been gaining attention as information that can affect recruitment activities, corporate image, and sales activities.

In fact, a separate survey conducted by our company revealed that 71.8% of job seekers may hesitate to apply or attend interviews due to negative displays in search suggestions and related search terms.

As such, search results can influence corporate evaluations, but to what extent do companies grasp and continuously manage their own search suggestions and related search terms?

Therefore, this time, we conducted a survey targeting 330 executives and officers nationwide regarding their awareness, confirmation status, and management systems for their company's search suggestions and related search terms, as well as their response when negative displays occur.

52.8% Are Unaware of Search Suggestions and Related Search Terms

[Question 1]

Please select the statement that most closely describes your current awareness of the search suggestions and related search terms displayed when searching for your company name or service name.

The survey results showed that "I have never particularly been aware of it" was the most common response at 45.2%, followed by "I don't think there are any particular problems at the moment" at 31.5%. On the other hand, "I think there are problematic displays or there is a possibility of them" was 15.8%.

Search suggestions and related search terms are one of the pieces of information users see when searching for a company name, but this survey revealed that many companies are not yet sufficiently interested in their own search results.

Furthermore, combining "I have never particularly been aware of it" (45.2%) and "I don't know" (7.6%) results in 52.8%, indicating that over half of the companies do not fully grasp the status of their search suggestions and related search terms.

Search suggestions and related search terms change daily according to search trends and shifts in topics. Therefore, it is important to first search for your company name and understand what search suggestions and related search terms are currently displayed.

57.0% Have Not Checked Search Suggestions and Related Search Terms for Over a Year or Have Never Checked Them

[Question 2]

When was the last time you checked the search suggestions and related search terms for your company name or service name?

The survey results showed that "I have never checked them" was the most common response at 47.6%, followed by "Within the last month" at 16.4%, and "I don't know" at 13.3%.

Additionally, combining "More than a year ago" (9.4%) and "I have never checked them" (47.6%) reveals that 57.0% of companies have not checked their search suggestions and related search terms for over a year or have never checked them.

These results indicate that the habit of regularly checking search results is not sufficiently established in many companies.

A single check is not enough to grasp subsequent changes. Since search suggestions and related search terms change daily, developing a habit of regular checks, rather than waiting for problems to occur, leads to early detection and early response.

73.6% of Companies Have No System for Continuously Managing Search Results

[Question 3]

Please select the statement that most closely describes your system for continuously checking and managing search suggestions and related search terms for your company name or service name.

The survey results showed that "We have not established any particular system" was the most common response at 73.6%.

Furthermore, combining this with "We have not decided on a system, but whoever notices it handles it each time" (15.2%) shows that 88.8% of companies do not have a system for continuous management.

Search suggestions and related search terms displayed when searching for a company name can affect recruitment activities, sales activities, and corporate image. However, many companies lack a system for continuously checking and managing search results, and it appears that many companies handle issues based on the judgment of individuals without clear responsibilities or response flows.

Without a system for continuous management, the discovery and response to negative displays may be delayed. Establishing a system for regularly checking search results, assigning responsible personnel, and defining response flows in advance can lead to prompt action.

47.0% "Don't Know How to Respond" Even If Negative Search Results Appear

[Question 4]

If you notice negative content displayed in the search suggestions or related search terms for your company name or service name, please select the response that most closely matches your current approach.

The survey results showed that "I don't know how to respond at the moment" was the most common response at 47.0%.

Additionally, "I think I would investigate and handle it myself each time" was 29.1%, totaling 76.1% of companies that have not decided on a response policy in advance for when negative search results appear.

Search suggestions and related search terms can affect a company's recruitment activities and corporate image. However, if the response method and contact points are not decided when a problem occurs, the initial response may be delayed, or appropriate action may not be taken.

It is important not only to check search results on a daily basis but also to anticipate potential negative search displays and to organize in advance the responsible personnel, response flows, and contact points.

In fact, the following cross-tabulation shows a tendency for companies with established search result management systems to have clearer methods for responding to negative search displays.

63.0% of Companies Without a Management System Respond "Don't Know How to Respond"

Cross-tabulation of Question 3 "Search Suggestion/Related Search Term Management System" and Question 4 "Response Method for Negative Search Displays"

A cross-tabulation of the management system for search results and the response method for negative search displays revealed that 63.0% of companies that responded "We have not established any particular system" also responded "I don't know how to respond at the moment."

On the other hand, among companies that responded "We have a system for continuous checking and management," 81.1% responded "We have decided on internal procedures and responsible personnel for handling," indicating a significant difference in the response to negative search displays depending on the presence of a management system.

Furthermore, among companies that responded "We have not decided on a system, but whoever notices it handles it each time," "I think I would investigate and handle it myself each time" was the most common response, suggesting a tendency for responses to be left to the judgment of individual staff members.

These results indicate that the ability to respond to search risks is not something that is prepared after a problem occurs, but is greatly influenced by whether search results are checked daily and a management system is in place.

Search suggestions and related search terms are one of the factors that influence a company's first impression. To respond quickly and appropriately when a problem occurs, it is considered important to have a system for checking search results on a daily basis, along with pre-established responsible personnel and response flows.

Summary

This survey revealed that 73.6% of companies have not established a system for continuously managing search results, and furthermore, 63.0% of companies without a management system responded that they "don't know how to respond" even if negative search results appear.

Additionally, many companies responded that they "have never particularly been aware of" search suggestions and related search terms, or have not checked them for over a year or at all. This indicates that the overall preparedness, from awareness of search results to checking, management, and response, is insufficient.

The information displayed when searching for a company name can affect recruitment activities, corporate image, and sales activities. This survey's results underscore the importance of establishing a system for daily checking of search results and for continuous management and response.

Survey Analysis by Free Square Inc.

We have received numerous inquiries regarding search suggestions and related search terms, with many cases involving "first noticing a negative display after it appeared."

On the other hand, this survey revealed that many companies are not sufficiently aware of their search results themselves, and lack systems for continuous management and for responding to negative search displays.

Furthermore, a separate survey conducted by our company found that 71.8% of job seekers may hesitate to apply or attend interviews due to negative displays in search suggestions and related search terms.

In other words, there appears to be a gap where "search results affect corporate evaluations, while companies' management systems are not sufficiently in place."

Search suggestions and related search terms are one of the factors that influence a company's first impression. To minimize the impact on corporate brand value and recruitment activities, it is important not to wait until a problem occurs to respond, but to regularly check your company's search results and establish a system for prompt action when necessary.

Are You Having Trouble with Search Suggestions and Related Search Terms?

This survey revealed that many companies lack sufficient awareness and management systems for search suggestions and related search terms, and many are unsure how to respond when negative search results appear.

Free Square Inc. accepts consultations regarding search suggestions and related search terms.

We have received numerous consultations such as:

- Negative words appear when searching for the company name - Concerns about the impact on recruitment and sales activities - Worries about the impression from business partners and customers - Wanting to improve search results but not knowing where to start

We propose measures for search risks, including search suggestions and related search terms, after confirming the situation for each company.

We also offer monitoring tools for those who want to check for negative words or monitor for future issues.

If you are having trouble with currently displayed search suggestions and related search terms, or are concerned about the impact of search results, please feel free to contact us.

▼Service Details & Inquiries

https://digitalrisk.college/lp/

Survey Overview

Target: 330 executives and officers nationwide

Number of respondents: 330

Survey period: June 2026

Survey method: Internet survey

Survey sponsor: Free Square Inc.

About Free Square Inc.

Free Square Inc. is a company that provides search risk countermeasures, including measures for search suggestions and related search terms, as well as web marketing support such as MEO and SEO.

We provide one-stop support for improving corporate brand value and driving customer acquisition through measures for negative search displays when searching for company or service names, as well as measures for Google Maps (MEO) and AI search.

With a cumulative track record of supporting over 13,000 stores, we provide web marketing support tailored to corporate challenges, from search risk countermeasures to customer acquisition strategies.

Company Profile

Company name: Free Square Inc.

President and CEO: Masahiro Tokushima

Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Established: September 7, 2011

Business activities: Web marketing support, reputation damage countermeasures support

HP: https://freesquare.co.jp/

Media: https://digitalrisk.college/

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  • Category: Survey