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Table Of Content
Why Trustpilot Reviews Matter
Trustpilot is one of the most visited review platforms globally, with over 167 million reviews posted. Consumers regularly use it to evaluate businesses before making purchasing decisions. Unfortunately, even a few damaging reviews can significantly impact your:
- Search engine visibility
- Customer acquisition rate
- Conversion rates
- Online brand trust
If you’re seeing untrue, biased, or abusive comments on your Trustpilot profile, it’s time to act.
Understanding Trustpilot’s Review Policies
Before attempting to remove a review, it’s critical to understand what Trustpilot does and does not allow.
Violations That May Qualify for Removal:
- Inappropriate language or hate speech
- False or misleading content
- Reviews not based on a genuine experience
- Conflicts of interest (reviews from employees or competitors)
- Marketing or promotional content
- Impersonation of another person or business
- Multiple reviews by the same person
Read the Trustpilot Guidelines for Reviewers and Business Guidelines for full policy details.
Step-by-Step: How to Remove Bad Reviews from Trustpilot
Step 1: Claim and Verify Your Business Profile
If you haven’t already done so:
- Visit business.trustpilot.com.
- Search for your company and claim the listing.
- Complete the verification process.
This gives you access to tools like the report review button, analytics, and the ability to engage with customers.
Step 2: Evaluate the Review Content
Determine if the review clearly violates Trustpilot’s content guidelines. Ask:
- Does it use profane or threatening language?
- Is it demonstrably false?
- Does the reviewer mention an experience that never occurred?
- Is the reviewer a competitor or ex-employee?
If yes, you’re ready to report it.
Step 3: Report the Review
Here’s how to flag a review:
- In your business account, locate the review.
- Click the “Flag” icon.
- Choose the violation type (e.g., “not based on a genuine experience”).
- Submit supporting documentation if required.
Trustpilot typically reviews flagged content within 48 hours. If the review clearly violates their policy, it will be removed.
Step 4: Respond Professionally (Even If It Stays)
Not every review will qualify for removal. But how you respond can reduce its impact.
Tips for crafting a response:
- Be polite and professional.
- Address key points factually.
- Invite the reviewer to contact you offline.
- Highlight your company’s commitment to improvement.
This shows readers (and potential customers) that your business is attentive and customer-focused.
Step 5: Use Trustpilot’s Legal Takedown Route
If Trustpilot rejects your flag but the review includes libelous content (defamatory or false claims that harm your reputation), you can escalate through legal means. You’ll need to:
- Document the falsehood and damage caused.
- Possibly submit a court order if the content is severe enough.
- Consult a legal team experienced in online defamation, like those Defamation Defenders can connect you with.
Learn more: Trustpilot Legal Process Overview
When Trustpilot Refuses to Remove a False Review
Trustpilot sometimes refuses removal, claiming the review is an “opinion.” In that case:
Your Next Best Steps:
- Bury the review using SEO strategies
- Generate more 5-star reviews to drown it out
- Request reviewer clarification (if they provided an anonymous post)
SEO Suppression Tactics for Bad Trustpilot Reviews
Search engines index Trustpilot pages heavily. If a bad review ranks high for your brand name, it can do more harm than expected.
Here’s how to fight back:
- Publish optimized content like blog posts and press releases.
- Build positive brand mentions across reputable domains.
- Utilize Google Business, social media, and YouTube content to dominate Page 1.
Defamation Defenders can assist with all of the above through professional reputation management services.
Case Study: Local Business Restores Reputation in 3 Months
A regional HVAC company saw a 30% drop in conversions after a customer posted a misleading review accusing them of fraud. After:
- Filing a dispute (which Trustpilot rejected)
- Responding publicly and politely
- Launching a content suppression campaign
- Generating 40+ authentic 5-star reviews
Their Trustpilot score rebounded from 2.8 to 4.6 stars. Within three months, their sales pipeline stabilized and bounced back to pre-review levels.
What You Should NEVER Do
- ❌ Don’t pay reviewers to remove reviews (against Trustpilot terms)
- ❌ Don’t post fake positive reviews (can lead to account suspension)
- ❌ Don’t ignore bad reviews (they hurt your brand and search presence)
- ❌ Don’t engage in public arguments
Strategic Alternatives to Review Removal
If a review can’t be removed outright, there are other smart ways to handle the situation:
1. Request Customer Revisions
Politely ask dissatisfied customers to edit their review if you’ve resolved the issue.
2. Encourage More Positive Reviews
Use email follow-ups, receipts, and in-store QR codes to invite feedback.
3. Request a “Find Reviewer” Process
Trustpilot allows you to request information to verify whether the reviewer had a legitimate interaction with your business.
Role of Defamation Defenders in Review Suppression
If the above steps sound overwhelming, you’re not alone. Managing your online reputation is a full-time job. That’s where Defamation Defenders steps in:
- Custom SEO strategies to bury negative reviews
- Content removal assistance for legally disputable reviews
- Attorney referrals when legal escalation is needed
- Review monitoring tools to stay ahead of reputation threats
💬 Get help now with a free case evaluation.
Related Content You Might Find Useful:
Frequently Asked Questions
If the review contains false statements of fact that cause harm, you may have a defamation case.
Typically 24–48 hours for first review, longer if additional investigation is needed.
Automate your review requests post-sale via email or SMS. Incentivize ethically (e.g., by entering users in a drawing).
Yes, but only through Trustpilot’s private messaging system.
While we can’t remove reviews ourselves, we specialize in suppression, content removal negotiations, and legal coordination.
