Fake reviews are growing more common online. Whether you run a small local shop or manage a global brand, these reviews can hurt your reputation and confuse your customers. This guide will help you spot fake reviews, report them on the right platforms, and take smart next steps to protect your business.
If you’re looking for broader advice on removing all kinds of negative reviews, not just fake ones, you may also want to check out our complete guide on how to remove negative reviews.
What Are Fake Reviews?
A fake review is one that doesn’t reflect a real experience. Someone might leave one to harm your business, get something for free, or push another company’s ranking up or down. These reviews might be written by a person, a paid reviewer, or even a bot.
In 2024, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) introduced new rules that made it illegal to create, pay for, or ignore fake reviews. The penalties can be serious, especially for businesses that don’t act once a fake review is flagged.
What to Do When You Find a Fake Review
If you spot a suspicious review, start by taking a deep breath. These things happen to many businesses. Next, take screenshots of the review, including the name of the reviewer, the date, and the content itself. Then, check your customer records. Can you find any record of that person or transaction? If not, there’s a good chance it’s fake.
It also helps to reply to the review publicly and calmly. Say something like:
“Thank you for your feedback. We have no record of this experience, but we’d love to help. Please contact us directly at [your email] so we can look into this further.”
That shows prospective customers you take feedback seriously, while also signaling to the platform (and possibly moderators) that something may be off.
Signs a Review May Be Fake
Fake reviews often follow certain patterns. You might notice:
- No specific information about your business, product, or service
- Very general or overly emotional language
- A reviewer who has only left one review ever
- A cluster of similar negative reviews in a short time
- A reviewer location that doesn’t match your service area
While these don’t prove the review is fake, they do justify looking closer and possibly reporting it.
How to Report Fake Reviews on Major Platforms
Google Reviews
Go to your Business Profile on Google Search or Maps. Find the review, click the three dots, and choose “Report review.” Then select a reason “Fake engagement” is often the most relevant. For more serious or repeated issues, use the Google Business support form to submit evidence.
Yelp
Yelp lets you report suspicious content through the “…” menu on any review. Their team will check if the review meets their guidelines. Keep in mind that even unfair reviews may stay up if they don’t clearly break Yelp’s content rules.
Trustpilot
Log into your business account and click the “Flag” button on the review. Choose the reason, like “Not a genuine experience.” If you have a lot of flagged reviews, Trustpilot may ask for supporting documentation.
Amazon (for Sellers)
From your Seller Central dashboard, locate the customer review and click “Report abuse.” Reference Amazon’s review policies and provide any evidence that proves the reviewer wasn’t a customer.
Glassdoor and Indeed
If you’re an employer, you can flag employee reviews that are false or misleading through your dashboard. You can also post a calm, professional response. If reviews cross the line into harassment or defamation, escalate to the platform’s Trust & Safety team.
- Read our full guide on how to remove Indeed reviews
- Read our full guide on how to remove Glassdoor reviews
Facebook Recommendations
Visit your business’s Facebook page, go to the recommendation, click the three dots, and report the post. Facebook allows you to flag posts as misleading, spam, or unrelated.
TripAdvisor
Log into your business Management Center and locate the questionable review. Use the “Report a Problem” feature to submit a claim. TripAdvisor takes blackmail-style reviews seriously and prioritizes removal for those.
BBB (Better Business Bureau)
Visit your BBB business profile, log in, and use the “Dispute this review” option. Provide clear evidence to support your claim, such as records showing the reviewer was never a customer.
- Read our full guide on how to remove BBB reviews
- Looking for a different review platfor or for a deeper look at each platform? Check our How to Remove Negative Reviews guide.
If Reporting Doesn’t Work
Not every platform will remove a fake review on the first try. If your request is denied:
- Consider submitting more evidence
- Look for patterns that suggest coordinated abuse (like several fake reviews from the same location or user type)
- File a second report or contact platform support directly
- Consider legal advice if the review includes false claims that damage your business
Alternatively, you can use review suppression to push fake reviews lower on search results. This doesn’t remove them but makes sure your best content appears first.
Want help? Our Review Removal Service handles this every day. We only charge if we succeed.
Preventing Fake Reviews in the Future
Being proactive makes a big difference. Here are a few steps to consider:
- Monitor your reviews weekly using platform dashboards or review management tools
- Set Google Alerts for your business and key products
- Educate your team on how to flag and document fake reviews quickly
- Never pay for reviews or offer rewards, the FTC strictly bans it
- Add review-related clauses in contracts with vendors or contractors
Consistency and speed are key. Catching and handling fake reviews early makes removal more likely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue someone over a fake review?
Yes, but it depends. Legal action is costly and slow, so it’s usually best to try removal and suppression first.
How long does it take to remove a fake review?
Anywhere from 2 days to 3 weeks, depending on the platform and complexity. Read more about how long it takes to remove negative reviews.
What’s the best proof I can use?
Anything that shows the reviewer was not a real customer: receipts, booking records, internal messages, security footage timestamps.
Is it legal to remove reviews?
Yes, as long as you’re following platform rules and not removing honest feedback. Reporting fake reviews is your right.
What if the same person keeps leaving fake reviews?
This may qualify as harassment or defamation. Keep records and escalate directly to the platform’s Trust & Safety team. We can help if you need support.
Fake reviews are more than just frustrating. They can hurt your business, confuse real customers, and damage your brand. But you don’t have to handle them alone. By understanding how to spot, report, and prevent them, you’re already ahead of the curve.
If you’d like expert help, contact Guaranteed Removals for a free consultation. We’ll review your case and only charge if we succeed in removing the review.
