Fake reviews. Impersonation accounts. Coordinated smear campaigns. It’s not just annoying. It’s damage to something you built. And it’s more common than you’d think: a single bad actor, a disgruntled ex-employee, or even a competitor can do real harm to your business’s reputation in a matter of days.
The instinct is usually to respond publicly, or to just ignore it and hope it goes away. Neither is a strategy. Here’s what actually works, and why:
Cease-and-desist letters
A formal letter puts the person, and the platform hosting the content, on notice that you’re aware, you’re tracking it, and you’re prepared to escalate. It’s often the fastest way to get content taken down without going to court.
Defamation claims
Not every negative review is actionable — opinions are protected, even harsh ones. But false statements of fact that damage your business (a fabricated claim about fraud, safety violations, or criminal conduct, for example) can cross the line into defamation, and that opens the door to real legal remedies.
Platform reporting strategies
Google, Yelp, Facebook, and the Better Business Bureau all have removal policies, but knowing which policy applies to your situation — and how to document a violation the way the platform actually wants to see it — makes the difference between a quick takedown and a rejected report.
Proactive reputation management
The best defense is being prepared before it happens: monitoring your business’s name and reviews, having a response protocol in place, and knowing in advance which of your options apply to a given kind of attack.
Under attack? Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP will help you fight back strategically.
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