Did you ever get a bad Google review? Can it hurt? You bet it can. When comparing different companies to choose for a product or service, you better believe that people read the Google reviews to help in making their decision.
If you ask Google to take down the review, will they do it? Not very often. First of all, people are allowed their opinion under their first amendment rights. I have seen situations where the people getting a bad review did not even know the people giving the bad review. Google will say they are unable to settle this type of dispute, and the reviewer is entitled to their opinion.
What kinds of comments are unacceptable: “Comments must not be defamatory of any person, deceive others, be obscene, offensive, threatening, abusive, hateful, inflammatory or promote sexually explicit material or violence.” If this describes your review, Google will take it down.
What Can I do About it?
Reply to the review
It is a good idea to reply to any review anyway. Google likes to see replies. However, make sure that your reply is professional. Do not engage in name calling. Becoming defensive and rude can backfire with additional negative exposure.
File a lawsuit.
A business owner can sue a reviewer for defamation if they post factually incorrect information. A false factual statement that hurts your business is not protected by the free speech clause of the Constitution. If your business has been injured, in profits or reputation, because of the publication of false factual statements online, you may be able to sue the commentator for defamation.
If you want to discuss your situation, call Ben Winter. Ben Winter, P.A. focuses its practice in the areas of real estate law, Social Security Disability and Workers Compensation in St Petersburg, Florida. For more information, go to our web site www.benwinterlaw.com or call (727) 822-0100.