But in general, I don’t remove posts. I may add an update or create a new post linking to the old one (and post that link in the comments section), but just as an apology doesn’t wipe away the mistake, neither do I think one should remove the history.

Wow! You mean … non-clients might bribe me to remove the truth and possibly promote them instead? Gee, I never thought of that, er … I mean … oh, darn those ethics!

Well done, Scott. I see a potential post for tomorrow here to share some similar experiences that might point these fine folks in the right direction.

My unsolicited PR advice, pitch some positive stories to bloggers who cover your industry. Google assumes that the freashest post is why people are looking for, so it is more likely that the new results will come up in any search.

If any blogger does oblige you with a positive post, pimp their post around blogosphere until you get some more positive posts. That way the negative post will be buried.

That really is the best you can hope for.