Can I get bad reviews removed?

Review sites typically have terms of use that prohibit the use of racial or religious slurs, expletives, stalking, defamation, spam, and other inappropriate content. If you come across a review that includes such elements, it's advisable to report it to the site. They may collaborate with you to address the issue and potentially remove the review.

However, it's important to note that review sites often have a broad interpretation of "opinion" and may not remove reviews that cannot be definitively proven. Dealing with spam reviews can also pose challenges. It's recommended to review the unique terms of use or service for each site to understand the specific details. If a review that should be removed is not, some platforms allow you to report it again.

For instance:

• Statements like "Your dental office is filthy, and your staff is rude" are considered opinions.

• If a review falsely claims, "You've been sued four times in the past year for malpractice," and it can be demonstrated as false, you may work with the site to have it removed.

However, removing negative reviews can be a time-consuming and costly process, particularly if legal involvement is necessary. Proving damages can be challenging, especially when the poster's identity is unknown or anonymous.

It is recommended to consult with an attorney before proceeding further. Sometimes, it may be best to accept the situation and not engage in extensive efforts to remove or hide the information.

It's worth considering that attempts to remove or hide information can draw more attention and potentially make it go viral. This phenomenon is known as the "Streisand Effect," named after an incident involving Barbra Streisand's attempt to sue a photographer for privacy violation, which resulted in increased public attention to the photo in question.

An exception to review removal is on Facebook pages. If someone leaves a review using the Facebook reviews module, you cannot directly remove it. However, you have control over what is posted on your Facebook page or wall. If a negative review is posted there, you can remove it, but it's recommended to first attempt to reach out to the person to address and resolve their concerns.