Alright, so I wasn’t even planning to mess with this today—“remove bad reviews from internet” wasn’t exactly on my to-do list. But then I got this panicked call from a friend. Like full-on crisis mode. Apparently, someone left a brutal one-star review about her business on some obscure site (one I hadn’t even heard of, to be honest), and it started tanking her traffic almost immediately. I mean… how is it that one random stranger with a keyboard can send a legit business into survival mode?
So yeah, down the rabbit hole I went. And wow. This whole removing an internet review thing? Not as simple as clicking delete. Spoiler: you can’t just hit “report” and watch it disappear like some IG story.
First off—can you actually remove internet reviews?
Short answer? Sometimes. Longer answer? Depends on where it’s posted and why it’s being flagged.
Like, if it’s on Google, there’s this whole process where you can flag it for violating their policies—stuff like hate speech, spam, or if it’s completely fake. Same thing with Facebook or Yelp. But here’s the catch: they don’t always agree with you, even if it feels totally unfair. I once flagged a review calling my buddy’s restaurant “a depressing, sad microwave dinner in a tuxedo,” which honestly made me laugh more than anything, but it was completely untrue. Google just shrugged.
👉 Here’s the actual Google policy if you’re curious:
Google’s Review Policy Page
So what can you actually do?
Okay, storytime. I helped someone clean up a string of trash reviews last year—some were competitors being shady, others just… bitter people. Here’s what worked (and what flopped):
- Documentation is your best friend. Screenshot everything. You’ll need it when you submit a removal request, especially if it’s clearly malicious or violates platform guidelines.
- Flag first, but don’t stop there. Use the platform’s reporting tools and follow up with their support. Some platforms like Trustpilot will respond faster if you email them directly and provide proof. Oh, and they have a whole FAQ on it:
Trustpilot Review Removal Policy - Legal action? Only if it’s really serious. Like if someone’s doxxing you or making completely false criminal accusations. You can try a defamation removal through an attorney (yeah, pricey), but sometimes it’s your only shot. I read a case where a small law firm in Florida had to sue just to get a fake review removed from Ripoff Report. No joke.
Weird trick I stumbled on? Bury the review.
So here’s the part nobody tells you: if you can’t remove an internet review, you can sometimes just bury it with better stuff. Think:
- Ask your happy customers to leave fresh 5-star reviews
- Respond publicly to the bad ones (calmly—don’t rage reply)
- Set up a quick microsite with testimonials to rank higher than that sketchy review site
And get this—I saw a Harvard Business Review article a while back (can’t remember the exact headline but it’s on their site) that said customers actually trust businesses more when they see a mix of reviews—like a few bad ones alongside the good ones. It seems more real.
🔗 Harvard: Why Negative Reviews Can Boost Your Business
Quick note about “reputation management” companies:
I’ve tested a few. Some promise the world, others ghost you once you pay. If you go this route, vet them like crazy. Look for ones that use legal removals or content suppression—not just “we’ll get it down fast” scams. And never give them backend access to your review platforms unless you really trust them.
Also, random thought: why do these review sites get to decide what stays or goes? Like, seriously. There’s no appeals court. Just you vs. some faceless “moderation team.” Wild.
Anyway, if you’re stuck dealing with a review that just won’t go away, here’s what I’d do:
- Flag it— always start here.
- Get receipts— proof helps.
- Contact the platform directly.
- Post a calm public reply.
- Ask real customers to speak up.
- Outrank the bad with better content.
- If it’s defamatory, talk to a lawyer.
So yeah, removing an internet review isn’t easy, but it’s not hopeless either. Oh, and if you’re reading this because you’re in panic mode? Breathe. I’ve seen worse. You’ll get through it.
(And hey, if you figure out how to get a Ripoff Report taken down without paying a small fortune, please email me. I owe someone a favor and I’m desperate 😂)
Let me know if you want me to show how to respond publicly to a bad review. That part’s a whole art form.