Can You Remove Bad Reviews from Indeed? A Guide for Employers

how to remove bad reviews from Indeed

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Understanding Indeed Reviews and Their Impact

Indeed is one of the most visited job search platforms globally, giving current and former employees the ability to rate and review employers publicly. While many reviews are fair and constructive, others can be misleading, exaggerated, or completely false.

If your company has received a harsh or fake review on Indeed, you’re likely wondering:
Can employers delete reviews on Indeed?

Let’s explore what’s possible—and what’s not.


Can Employers Remove Reviews from Indeed?

The Short Answer: Not Directly

Indeed does not allow employers to unilaterally delete reviews, even if they believe the content is unfair. However, you can flag reviews for removal if they violate Indeed’s Content Guidelines.

These include:

  • Discriminatory language
  • Threats, harassment, or hate speech
  • Content not based on firsthand experience
  • False or misleading information
  • Inappropriate or confidential details

Once flagged, Indeed’s content moderators will assess the review and determine if it should be removed.

📝 Indeed’s Review Guidelines (external link)


Step-by-Step: How to Flag a Review on Indeed

  1. Log in to your Indeed Employer Account
  2. Go to the Company Reviews section
  3. Find the inappropriate review
  4. Click “Report Review”
  5. Submit a justification detailing how the review violates guidelines

Indeed typically responds within 2–10 business days. However, results vary, and legitimate-sounding reviews may be upheld even if misleading.


What You Can’t Do

  • Pay Indeed to remove negative reviews
  • Remove reviews without review violations
  • Force anonymous reviewers to reveal themselves
  • Sue Indeed directly (protected under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act)

The Real-World Impact of Bad Indeed Reviews

Even a handful of harsh reviews can hurt:

  • Lower star ratings can deter quality applicants
  • Damage to employer brand affects partnerships and PR
  • False narratives spread on forums like Glassdoor, Reddit, or Google

This can spiral into a reputation management crisis, especially if reviews are visible in branded search results.


If a review crosses the line into defamation, you may have legal recourse. Defamation is a false statement presented as fact that causes harm to your business.

To qualify as defamation, the review must:

  • Make a provably false claim
  • Be published to a third party (publicly posted)
  • Cause reputational or financial harm
  • Not be protected opinion or satire

You may be able to pursue a cease-and-desist letter or even a defamation lawsuit against the reviewer (if identified).

Learn more: Can You Sue for Defamation Over Online Reviews?


Reputation Management Strategies for Employers

Whether the review is removable or not, these steps can help protect and restore your employer brand:

1. Encourage Balanced Reviews

Invite satisfied current employees to leave genuine reviews. A steady stream of authentic positive feedback helps neutralize negative content.

2. Respond Professionally

Use Indeed’s response feature to address reviews diplomatically, without attacking the poster. Demonstrate your commitment to listening and improving.

Example Response: “We’re sorry to hear about your experience. We take feedback seriously and would welcome a private conversation to better understand your concerns.”

3. Claim and Optimize Your Company Page

Ensure your Indeed profile is complete with:

  • Accurate company description
  • Logo and branding assets
  • Up-to-date contact and career info

4. Suppress Negative Search Results with SEO

Negative reviews often rank on Google. Push them down using content suppression tactics such as:

  • Publishing press releases
  • Posting blog content
  • Getting featured in local media
  • Updating your LinkedIn and employer pages

5. Partner with Defamation Defenders

We specialize in review removal, reputation repair, and search result suppression for businesses unfairly targeted by false or malicious content.

💬 Request a confidential consultation


When Should You Seek Help from a Reputation Management Firm?

It’s time to call in experts when:

  • Reviews contain provable lies
  • False claims are causing lost applicants or customers
  • You’ve tried to flag content with no success
  • Your brand reputation has dropped across multiple platforms
  • You want to avoid legal costs but still achieve results

Indeed Review Removal FAQ

Can an employer sue a reviewer on Indeed?

Yes—if the review is defamatory, provably false, and harmful. The reviewer must be identifiable.

Does Indeed let businesses hide reviews?

No. Employers cannot choose which reviews appear on their page.

How long does a flagged review take to be removed?

If successful, it may take 2–10 business days. Many reviews flagged are not removed unless they clearly violate policies.

Can I pay Indeed to remove bad reviews?

No. Indeed does not accept payment for removal or prioritization of reviews.

Is it worth investing in online reputation management?

If your business is losing opportunities due to false or unfair reviews, professional reputation services offer long-term value and peace of mind.


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