POLICY

Defamatory Google Reviews: What Counts and How to Get Them Removed

Opinion is protected. False statements of fact that damage your reputation are a different matter.

Opinion vs. false fact

"The food was terrible" is opinion. "The chef was arrested for theft" is a factual claim. If it is untrue and harmful, it may be defamatory.

Report it to Google first

Many defamatory reviews also break Google’s harassment policy, especially if they name staff. Reporting through the normal process is the fastest route.

Legal removal requests

Google has a separate process for legal removal requests. A lawyer can advise whether your situation qualifies. This route is slower and should be reserved for serious cases.

What not to do

Don’t threaten the reviewer publicly, and don’t repeat the accusation in your reply. A short, neutral response is safest.