If you’re writing shayari, poetry, or self-published books, your name is your brand. Readers look you up on Google. Publishers check your social media. Event organizers Google your old posts before inviting you to speak. That means your online presence matters—maybe more than your actual writing.
So how do you control it? How do you build a solid online profile while protecting yourself from trolls, fake reviews, or old content you regret?
This guide is made for self-published Indian poets and authors who want more readers, better visibility, and fewer headaches online.
Why Your Online Presence Matters More Than Ever
In India, more than 850 million people are using the internet. Poetry communities on Instagram, YouTube, and even ShareChat have exploded. If you’re not showing up in search results, someone else is.
According to a report by Nielsen, over 60% of Indian book buyers check an author’s online profile before buying. If your Google results look messy or you have no visible content, you’re losing readers before they even open your book.
Step 1: Own Your Name on Every Platform
Start by claiming your name everywhere. Even if you don’t use all the platforms, secure the handles so no one else does.
Platforms to lock in:
- Instagram
- Facebook Page
- Twitter (X)
- Threads
- YouTube
- ShareChat (especially for Hindi and Urdu poets)
- Reels or Shorts platforms like Moj or Josh
- A basic website with your name as the domain
Use the same profile picture and bio across platforms. Keep it simple. Mention that you’re a self-published poet or author. Add a link to where people can read or buy your work.
Example:
“Poet | Author of ‘Zehar Mein Phool’ | Hindi | Urdu | Performing at Open Mics in Delhi | Link Below”
Step 2: Post Regularly, but Keep It Clean
You don’t need to post every day, but aim for 1-2 good posts per week. That could be:
- A video of you reading your latest poem
- A text post with background on your writing process
- A screenshot of positive feedback from a reader
- A post promoting your next open mic or book release
Avoid posting anything political, offensive, or overly personal unless it directly ties into your work. Even one controversial post can dominate your search results.
A poet from Lucknow lost a publishing deal after a four-year-old Facebook rant resurfaced during a background check. Don’t give your future self a headache.
Step 3: Create a Google-Friendly Website
Buy a domain name that matches your author name. Use a simple platform like WordPress, Wix, or Carrd. Add:
- An author bio
- A high-resolution photo
- Links to your books or poems
- Press mentions or event listings
- A contact form for speaking gigs or collaborations
If you write in Hindi or Urdu, make sure the site supports those scripts or provides a Romanized version.
Use basic SEO:
- Your name in the title tag
- Meta descriptions for each page
- Alt text on all images
- Submit the site to Google Search Console
This helps push your official site to the top of Google results instead of random links.
Step 4: Encourage Positive Mentions
Google favors content from third parties. That means reviews, articles, and videos about you help more than self-posted content.
You can:
- Ask readers to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads
- Reach out to local bloggers or YouTubers to review your book
- Offer a free copy in exchange for an honest opinion
- Get interviewed on Instagram Live or YouTube channels focused on poetry or writing
One poet from Pune gained 2,000 followers in a week after a feature on a Marathi literature YouTube channel. People trust outside voices.
Step 5: Handle Negativity the Smart Way
What if someone posts a fake review? What if an old blog post or comment thread shows up when you Google yourself?
Here’s where reputation management comes in.
If it’s your own content, delete or unpublish it. If it’s on another site, reach out and politely ask for it to be taken down.
If it contains false or harmful claims, report it to Google. You can also learn how to remove negative Google search results using legal or technical options.
When removal isn’t possible, focus on suppression. That means publishing fresh content—videos, blogs, profiles—to push the bad links down the search results.
Step 6: Monitor Yourself
Set up Google Alerts for your name and pen name. That way you’ll get an email anytime someone writes about you.
Also check:
- Your Amazon and Goodreads reviews
- YouTube comments if you post videos
- Twitter mentions
- WhatsApp forwards if someone screenshotted your work
One poet found her unpublished poem floating around on Pinterest with no credit. She was able to track it and post a correction thanks to alerts.
Step 7: Use Local Platforms and Language
India has a wide range of platforms where Hindi, Urdu, and regional language content performs better than English-only sites.
If you write shayari:
- Post your work on YourQuote, Pratilipi, or Matrubharti
- Consider building an audience on ShareChat, Moj, or Josh
- Use hashtags in Hindi (#शायरी, #हिंदीकविता) and in English (#shayari, #hindipoetry)
This increases your reach and helps your content show up when fans search in local languages.
Final Thoughts
Being a self-published author in India is exciting, but also competitive. Readers are Googling you. Event organizers are checking your past work. And publishers want to see if you’re serious before investing in you.
“Building your online presence is like hosting an event,” says Daniel Ramamoorthy. “If you don’t set the tone and control the narrative, someone else will. Start now, start simple, and make sure the first thing people see when they search your name is what you want them to remember.”
Own your name. Post regularly. Keep it clean. Encourage good press. And know how to fix bad search results before they ruin your chance.
Your writing deserves to be seen. But your online presence decides if it will be.