Removing Google reviews – solicitor advice
Adlex Solicitors advise businesses and professionals on removing defamatory or unlawful Google reviews. There is no automatic right to have a negative review deleted, but where legal grounds exist, removal is often achievable through carefully structured submissions and related strategies.
It is important to approach this carefully from the outset. Google rarely revisits decisions once a complaint has been rejected, and poorly framed submissions can significantly reduce the prospects of later removal. Early legal advice helps ensure that the correct legal and policy grounds are relied on first time.
Is there an automatic right to remove a negative Google review?
No. However, a range of legal and strategic options may achieve removal depending on the circumstances.
What should I do first?
Take a screenshot of the review so that you have a record in case it is edited or removed. If you contact us, we will need to see the review and understand the background context. Relevant documents and a clear timeline are helpful at the outset.
What strategies are available to remove a Google review?
The appropriate strategy varies. Relevant factors include whether the reviewer is identifiable, whether the review is defamatory, whether it is demonstrably false, whether it is fake, and whether it breaches Google’s content policies. Possibilities include:
- Structured complaint submissions to Google.
- Escalation under Google’s various review removal routes.
- Legal correspondence where appropriate.
- Strategic response where removal is unlikely.
Does the review have to be false to be removed?
Not always. While demonstrable falsity strengthens a defamation-based complaint, some reviews may be removable because they are misleading, abusive, impersonation, or otherwise unlawful.
Is there a time limit?
Where defamation is involved, legal time limits may apply. Early advice is therefore important so that options are not inadvertently restricted.
Frequently asked questions about removing Google reviews
Can fake Google reviews be removed?
Yes, in many cases. Evidence that a reviewer is not a genuine customer or that the review forms part of a coordinated campaign can significantly strengthen a removal request.
Can truthful but unfair reviews be removed?
It depends on the circumstances. Reviews that are substantially true are harder to remove, but context, exaggeration, and policy breaches may still be relevant.
Will Google automatically remove a defamatory review?
No. Removal usually requires a properly structured complaint that addresses the applicable legal and policy criteria.
Should I respond to the review?
In some cases a carefully drafted response is sensible. In others, responding may escalate matters. The correct approach depends on the facts.