How Do I Remove a Bad Review on Yelp?

Bad Yelp reviews are standard among customers disappointed with specific business services. While one review is unlikely to harm a company's trustworthy reputation, consistent criticism can negatively affect its status. Read further to find out how to remove an unfavorable Yelp entry legally.

Important Information About the Yelp Review Removal Process

The Yelp review removal process is complicated compared to other company review platforms. Customers cannot submit a claim by using a form or via email. Instead, they must follow legal guidelines due to the platform's association with established physical businesses.

The majority of criticism is legitimate and verifiable. However, some reviews are fake or posted with malicious motives by a spiteful customer intending to ruin an enterprise's reputation. Although Yelp assists individuals who can prove their case, the platform practices caution when handling disputes. Additionally, removing content often requires substantial time, proof, and legal work.

Here are examples of reviews that you may be able to remove:

• Explicit Content: Threats, intimidation, indecency, offensive language, and other acts of prejudice are all examples of hatred.
• Conflicts of Interest: Assessments by industry peers or competitors or reviews of companies in your networking group are subject to an evaluation.
• Promotional and Deceptive Content: Promotional and deceptive content in reviews is often penalized by Yelp.
• Offensive Content: Rants concerning a company's hiring methods, political beliefs, or other topics regarding the customer experience. (Fake Yelp reviews are supposedly included in this category, but such claims aren't identifiable in the company's official paperwork) However, a statement regarding flagging "doubtful" claims if Yelp deems them fraudulent.
• Privacy Violation: Reviews containing confidential information, sensitive data, or close-up images and footage of other consumers without their permission are prohibited (unless the business is known by or commonly shares their full name).
• Property Theft: Content stolen from other website platforms and users.
• Payment Demands: Yelpers may request a refund, but they may not use the removal or publishing of their review to collect money from an establishment, despite their previous content status.

How to Remove a Bad Yelp Review Legally

Unlike review platforms that allow the business owner to control content removal, Yelp has a specific policy that users must acknowledge along with removal terms. There are several steps to follow in chronological order:

Choose the suitable method, depending on the type of device you're using.

Removing a bad Yelp Review on a desktop computer:

1. Log in to your Yelp account and click the Report review button.

2. Find the specific review you would like to report.

3. On your PC, select the "Report review" flag icon.

If you access Yelp using a mobile phone, follow the steps below:

1. Locate the review you want to remove.

2. Select the three small dots, then More Options (iPhone) or the Overflow Menu (Android) icon.

3. Tap Report Review to submit your request.

After filing a report to remove a bad Yelp review, the company will evaluate and analyze a suitable decision based on its content guidelines. Typically, the wait is 5-7 days, but some cases may take additional time.

The Yelp business app has a similar procedure but also includes unique rules you're required to follow:

1. Locate the content in the Reviews section of your business account.

2. Scroll to the More Options button and click Report Review.

Contacting Yelp

You can rely on the Yelp help desk to initiate contact with a representative. If you want to know more about reporting unwanted Yelp review content, request information from a knowledgeable professional.