How to Remove Bad Reviews from Google and Yelp (Legally and Effectively)

keith justice
Jul 17
2 min read

Negative reviews can sting, especially when they appear on platforms like Google and Yelp where your future customers are looking. One harsh comment can harm your reputation, drop your star rating, and scare off potential business. But here’s the truth:

You can’t just delete a bad review because you don’t like it. However, there are legal and ethical ways to manage and sometimes remove them. Here’s how.

1. Understand What Can Be Removed

Google and Yelp both have strict policies about what kinds of reviews are allowed. You can flag a review for removal if it falls under any of the following:

Spam or fake content
Offensive or abusive language
Conflicts of interest (e.g. reviews from competitors or former employees)
Irrelevant content (e.g. political rants)
Defamation or personal attacks

If the review fits any of these, it’s likely eligible for removal.

2. Flag the Review for Violation

On Google:

Go to Google Maps or your Business Profile
Find the review
Click the three dots > "Report review"
Choose the reason and submit

On Yelp:

Locate the review
Click the flag icon
Select a violation category (e.g. "It contains false information")

Then, wait. Yelp and Google usually take a few days to a week to investigate.

3. Respond Publicly and Professionally

Even if you flag a review, respond to it as soon as possible. Why?

It shows professionalism
You control the narrative
Future customers will see your maturity and care

Example: "Hi [Name], we’re sorry to hear about your experience. Please reach out to us at [email/phone] so we can make things right. We take your feedback seriously."

4. Reach Out Privately (If Appropriate)

If you know the customer and it seems appropriate, reach out to them directly. Politely ask if they’d be open to revisiting or updating their review after resolving the issue.

Important: Never offer money or gifts in exchange for removing or editing a review. It’s against Google and Yelp’s policies and can get you penalized.

5. Encourage Positive Reviews to Outweigh the Bad

Sometimes, the best strategy isn’t removal—it’s reputation building.

Ask happy customers to leave honest reviews
Include review links in thank-you emails
Add signs in your shop or business

Google values quantity and recency, so consistently gathering good reviews pushes down the old or bad ones.

6. Use Reputation Management Tools

Consider platforms like:

Podium
Birdeye
Trustpilot
Yext

These help you monitor reviews, respond quickly, and encourage satisfied customers to post.

7. Legal Action (Last Resort)

If a review includes clear defamation, personal threats, or false accusations that harm your business, consult a lawyer. You may be able to issue a legal takedown notice.

That said, this should always be your last resort.

Final Thoughts

You can’t control everything people say online, but you can control how you respond. Bad reviews don’t have to define your brand. With the right strategy—and some patience—you can protect your reputation and turn criticism into credibility.

Want help managing your online reputation? Our team specializes in brand recovery, review response strategies, and digital reputation audits.