Crush False-Negative Reviews with 5 Essential Steps
It’s no secret that the Internet can be a breeding ground for negativity.
If you’re in business, you’ve likely experienced the sting of a false-negative review.
While controlling what others say about you online is impossible, you can take steps to minimise the damage.
If you receive a false-negative review, there are 5 steps you can take to rectify the situation.
Step 1: Don’t Panic
- Assuming you have good reason to believe the review is false, the first step is not to panic.
- It can be difficult not to take it personally, but remember that this is just one person’s opinion and that there are many other reviews.
Step 2: Do Your Research
- When you receive a false-negative review, the first step is to take a deep breath and not react emotionally.
- It is important to remember that this is one person’s opinion and that not everyone will have the same experience.
- Step 2 is to do your research.
- Try to find out if there are other reviews about this person or business.
- If there are, see if there is a pattern of negative reviews.
- If so, this may be something to take into consideration.
Step 3: Respond Professionally
- Next, you should contact the customer who left the review and try to resolve the issue.
- If they are unhappy with your product or service, see if there is anything you can do to make it right.
- If you cannot resolve the issue with the customer, the next best thing you can do is respond to the review publicly.
- Thank them for their feedback and tell them you are constantly working to improve your business.
Step 4: Gather Evidence
- If the customer is unresponsive or unwilling to work with you, the third step is to gather evidence.
- This could include screenshots of conversations, copies of emails, or anything else that would help prove the review is inaccurate.
- Once you have gathered your evidence, you should reach out to the site or platform where the review was posted and request that it be removed.
- Sometimes, they may require you to provide evidence for them to decide.
Step 5: Seek Legal Action
- Suppose all of the necessary steps to mitigate the false-negative review have failed; your last resort is to seek legal action.
- This process is usually complex and lengthy, so consult a lawyer beforehand.
- Many businesses usually write a cease and desist letter as their first form of legal action.
- If the reviewer does not comply, you can take them to court.
- Be aware that this process is often costly and time-consuming, so only pursue it if you are confident in your case.
Receiving a false-negative review can be upsetting. Still, it’s important to remember that they are rare and you shouldn’t let them get in the way of your business.
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Important Disclaimer
The information contained here only provides general information on the covered subject. Nothing in this publication should be regarded as constituting legal advice concerning any particular business, operational or other situations you might face. Further, the law may have changed since the first publication, and the reader is cautioned accordingly. Please seek professional advice before taking any action.