What to Do If You’re Facing an Online Slander Attack

Reviewed by Joseph Chierotti, CEO, Defamation Defenders · Updated October 2026 · 8 min read

Short answer

If someone is spreading false statements about you online, preserve evidence first, don’t respond publicly in anger, report the posts under the platform’s rules, send a calm removal request to the site, and talk to a defamation attorney if the statements are false facts causing real harm. Then remove or push down whatever still shows up in Google. Online, false statements are usually libel (written), even though people often call it slander.

Key takeaways

Screenshot and save URLs before anything is deleted or edited.
Public arguments usually spread the attack further.
Platforms remove harassment, impersonation, and some false claims; report each post under the right policy.
Defamation requires a false statement of fact, not just a harsh opinion.
Deadlines to sue are short, often one to two years.

Table Of Content

What to do in the first 24 hours

Preserve evidence

Screenshots with dates and URLs of every post, comment, and profile involved.

Don’t respond publicly

Silence or one calm statement beats a public fight.

Secure your accounts

Change passwords and enable two-factor authentication if accounts may be targeted.

Map the attack

List every site, account, and search result involved.

Report and request removal

Where it is	What to do
Social media	Report under harassment, impersonation, or false information policies
Review sites	Report fake or non-customer reviews under the site’s rules
Blogs and forums	Contact the site owner or host with a removal request
Complaint and gripe sites	Each has its own policy; some never remove
Google results	Request removal of pages that are gone or that break Google’s policies

Need defamatory content taken down?

Our internet defamation removal service handles platform reports, site owner requests, and Google removal, with partner attorneys for court orders when needed.

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Your legal options

Cease-and-desist letter from an attorney often ends the attack quickly.
Defamation lawsuit against the poster if the statements are false facts that caused harm.
Court order declaring content defamatory, which many sites and Google honor for removal.
Subpoenas to identify anonymous posters, as part of a lawsuit.
Protective orders for harassment, threats, or stalking.

Watch for anti-SLAPP laws in many states, which can make you pay the other side’s fees if a defamation claim is weak. Get legal advice before suing.

Clean up your search results

Even after posts come down, copies, screenshots, and cached pages can linger. Request removal of dead pages from Google and push down anything that stays with strong, positive results through search suppression.

Online defamation attack FAQs

Is online defamation libel or slander?

Usually libel, because it’s written or published. Slander is spoken.

What should I do first if someone is defaming me online?

Save evidence: screenshots, URLs, and dates. Then report the posts and avoid public arguments.

Can I make someone delete defamatory posts?

A removal request or cease-and-desist letter often works. If not, a court order can compel removal or support requests to sites and Google.

How do I find out who’s posting anonymously?

An attorney can sometimes subpoena platforms for identifying information during a lawsuit.

Can defamatory content be removed from Google?

Yes, once it’s removed from the site, or with a court order declaring it defamatory.

Stop the attack from spreading

Send us the links. We’ll tell you what can be removed, how fast, and whether you need a legal route. Free and confidential.

Get My Free Review Call 1-800-785-1749

Defamation Defenders is an online reputation management company, not a law firm. This article is general information, not legal advice.