Yelp!, the country’s largest review site, is a digital nemesis for many business owners. A single bad review on the platform has the power to flat-line a company’s bottom line. But, like death and taxes, Yelp and other review sites are here to stay. So the question becomes: How can business owners get a bad review removed from Yelp?
Get a Review Removed from Yelp: Stay on Top of Reviews
It’s difficult to get negative reviews removed from Yelp. Not impossible, but difficult. What you can do, however, is be communicative on your page. All you have to do is claim your business on the platform. Doing so unlocks the response function. Then, when someone leaves a bad review, you can address it directly, which looks good to people browsing the site.
Burying bad reviews with good ones is a common tactic, and encouraging clients to post reviews is allowed — so long as you don’t pay for them. Fake reviews are also a no-no. But, if done correctly, businesses can offer incentives to customers who write Yelp reviews — but you have to make sure you’re not violating Yelp’s guidelines. Also, you can use social media to encourage customers to post on Yelp.
Asking customers to remove or alter reviews is the easiest and hardest way to get negative reviews off Yelp. When addressing the customer, try to do it by phone or email and be polite as possible. Place a comment on the review asking them to contact you. The goal is to find a way to resolve the problem. If you find a way to fix the issue, ask them to either remove or modify their review. It is usually always better to try and resolve any matters directly with the customer before taking any legal routes.
Yelp doesn’t allow reviews containing personal attacks or ones that disparage someone’s disability, race, ethnicity, or religion. If customers spew hate in Yelp reviews or make defamatory remarks, you can report them for violating the terms of service. Foul language is also a cause for removal.
Get a Review Removed from Yelp: Point out the Truth
If a customer makes a false accusation, politely correct them. For example, if they claim your business uses a certain product, kindly correct them and link to the product you do use. Most Yelp viewers will give credit to a company that takes the time to comment and address issues head on.
Although rare, there are times when someone may try to damage your business by repeatedly posting negative reviews. It could be an employee you fired, a person with a grudge, or even a competitor. In these circumstances, it may be helpful to enlist an attorney who understands internet law. Also, if you discover that your detractor is trying to harm your business purposefully, you may have grounds for a solid trade libel lawsuit.
Check out our business defamation blog for news and tips.