Stuck with a False Review? Here’s What to Do.
False reviews can damage your reputation, hurt your business, and mislead potential customers. But you’re not powerless. Whether it’s a fake customer, a spiteful competitor, or a bot attack, you have options.
Here are the best tactics for handling false reviews—so you can protect your business without making things worse.
Tactic 1: Report the Review Directly
If a review is clearly false, start by reporting it through the platform where it was posted.
How to Report on Major Platforms:
- Google:
- Go to your Business Profile on Google Search or Maps.
- Find the false review.
- Click the three-dot menu and choose “Flag as inappropriate.”
- Choose the reason: Spam, Fake Content, or Conflict of Interest.
- Use the Google Reviews Management Tool for faster results.
- Yelp:
- Go to the review on your Yelp page.
- Click the three-dot menu and select “Report Review.”
- Provide details and choose the reason.
- Facebook:
- Go to the review on your business page.
- Click the three-dot menu and select “Find Support or Report Recommendation.”
- Follow the prompts.
Pro Tip: Be Clear in Your Report
- Mention that the review is false or misleading.
- Provide context: “This person has never been a customer.”
- Avoid emotional language—stick to the facts.
Tactic 2: Respond Professionally (If It’s Staying Up)
If the platform refuses to remove the false review, your next move is to respond—calmly, clearly, and professionally.
Example Response:
“Hi [Reviewer’s Name], we take all feedback seriously, but we have no record of your visit or interaction with our business. Please contact us directly so we can resolve any issues you may have.”
Why This Works:
- It shows future customers that you’re professional and proactive.
- It casts doubt on the false review without being aggressive.
- If the review is ever reviewed again by the platform, your response supports your case.
Tactic 3: Collect Evidence for Your Case
If the review is false, gather evidence to support your claim:
- Screenshots of the review.
- Proof that the reviewer never interacted with your business (like customer records).
- Screenshots of other reviews by the same user (if they show a pattern).
- Any correspondence showing the reviewer is a competitor, ex-employee, or malicious actor.
Why Evidence Matters:
Platforms are more likely to remove a review if you can prove it’s fake.
Tactic 4: Appeal the Decision
If your initial report is denied, most platforms allow you to appeal.
- Google: Go back to the Reviews Management Tool, click “Appeal eligible reviews,” and provide additional evidence.
- Yelp: Respond to their email and include any new context.
- Facebook: Use their support form to challenge the decision again.
Pro Tip: Be Direct
- Avoid long stories—focus on clear, provable facts.
- Attach evidence (like screenshots or customer records).
- Mention any platform policies the review violates.
Tactic 5: Use Legal Leverage (If Needed)
If a false review is seriously damaging—like accusing you of a crime or making false claims—you may have legal options.
Legal Tactics Include:
- Defamation Claims: If the review is false and damaging.
- Cease and Desist Letters: Sent to the reviewer if you know their identity.
- Court Orders: For serious cases involving false criminal claims or privacy violations.
How to Use This:
- Start with a formal demand letter from an attorney.
- If ignored, escalate to a defamation lawsuit.
- Use any legal findings to support your removal request.
Tactic 6: Bury the False Review with Positive Feedback
If the false review is stuck, you can reduce its impact by earning more positive reviews.
How to Do This:
- Ask happy customers for feedback (after every purchase or service).
- Use automated email follow-ups or SMS reminders.
- Display a review request link on your website.
- Offer excellent service to make leaving a review a no-brainer.
Why This Works:
A false review looks suspicious when surrounded by genuine, positive reviews.
Tactic 7: Suppress the Review in Search Results
If the false review appears on a high-ranking site (like a news site or review aggregator), you can suppress it in Google search.
- Create and publish positive content about your business.
- Optimise your website to rank for your business name.
- Publish on high-authority sites (LinkedIn, Medium, Crunchbase).
- Build backlinks to your positive pages.
The goal is to push the false review off the first page of Google—where it does the most damage.
False Reviews Aren’t the End
False reviews can be frustrating, but they don’t have to control your reputation.
By using the right tactics—reporting, responding, appealing, and suppressing—you can protect your business without getting stuck in a fight.
Need Help Removing False Reviews?
At Reputation Galaxy, we help businesses remove false reviews, suppress damaging content, and protect their online image—quickly and quietly.
No win, no fee. Private support. Proven results.
Get a Free Quote or call us now to start cleaning up your review page.