Internet users conducting lawyer background checks via search engines : Pew Foundation Survey

A new study from the Pew Research Center confirms what lawyers should already know. People are doing lawyer background checks with search engines.

Not a study solely about lawyers, but one that finds nearly one-in-five adult internet users (19%) say they have searched for information about co-workers, professional colleagues or business competitors with an online search engine. Searches are also being done on people users are meeting for the first time as well as those who we’re considering hiring.

You’ve got to believe the number of people doing such background checks increases when you have two additional factors in play, as is the case with lawyers. The need to place great trust in the person being searched. The higher the amount being charged by the person being searched.

Ask yourself what people are finding when they search you. If it’s only your website and directory listing or two, you’re in trouble.