Ben Kinney, JD
Nowadays business reputations can be made or destroyed online through major directories like Yelp. Removing bad reviews is something every business owner needs to take seriously, but there is a right and a wrong way to go about getting a negative review permanently removed from these directories.
Recently, there has been an increase in illegal schemes to remove bad reviews. A CBS News investigation has revealed dozens of instances of business owners sending forged court documents ordering Google and Yelp to remove certain negative reviews. Forging a judge’s signature is a serious crime. In October of 2018, a New York man was sentenced to nine months in prison for “conspiring to forge a federal judge’s signature on counterfeit court orders that he submitted to Google to get negative reviews about his business removed from Google search results.” Google and Yelp work hard to identify and report this type of fraud.
Business owners should remove negative reviews legitimately by using the directories’ own takedown process. For example, Yelp has an option to “Flag” a review that does not comport with its guidelines and regulations. Once a review is “Flagged” it will be reviewed by a Yelp moderator who will take the appropriate action. Reviews that are threatening, that publicize private information, that misuse intellectual property, and others may violate the guidelines and are able to be removed.
Alternatively, business owners can respond to the negative reviews in an attempt to change the impression. Not only can this help you get a shot at improving your online review score or star ratings, but it will leave a positive impression on your other (potential) customers.
If none of these methods work and a negative review is hindering your business, you may want to speak with a lawyer who can help you obtain a real takedown order from a court. We at Stilp Business Law, P.C. have experience in defamation, libel, slander and false light claims that would help you.
image cred: https://www.hyattfennell.com
