Reading list: What to Do When Competitors Post Fake Reviews on Trustpilot
In today's hyper-competitive digital landscape, online reviews are powerful trust signals that influence customer decisions. While genuine feedback can elevate your brand, malicious fake reviews—especially on platforms like Trustpilot—can harm your reputation and drive away potential clients. A growing concern among businesses is seeing competitors post fake reviews to tarnish their image. If you're facing this, you’re not alone—and there are ways to fight back.

Spotting a Fake Review

The first step is identifying what makes a review suspicious. Trustpilot fake reviews often have tell-tale signs:

The reviewer has a newly created or blank profile

The language is vague, overly generic, or overly aggressive

The reviewer has left similar negative reviews on multiple competing companies

The review references a service or issue your business never offered or encountered

Sometimes, fake reviews also include fabricated complaints that are strategically timed—perhaps right after your company announces a new product or promotion.

Document Everything

Once you've identified a fake review, take screenshots and record URLs immediately. If your business has multiple fake reviews targeting it over time, keep a log including dates, user names, and any patterns that emerge. This documentation can support your case when reporting it to Trustpilot or even seeking legal advice.

Flag the Review via Trustpilot

Trustpilot does allow users and businesses to flag reviews that violate its guidelines. Navigate to the suspicious review and click “Report.” Choose the appropriate reason—such as “Not based on a genuine experience.” Make sure to provide a concise, factual explanation.

You can also visit Trustpilot’s official guidelines for clarity on what constitutes a breach. Trustpilot's Content Integrity Team will then evaluate the review and may remove it if it violates their terms.

Respond Professionally and Publicly

While waiting for Trustpilot to review your report, respond publicly to the review in a professional tone. Avoid accusations. Instead, say something like:

“We take all feedback seriously and strive for top-notch service. However, we are unable to verify this experience and would love the opportunity to understand it better. Kindly contact us directly so we can investigate further.”

This shows transparency and helps other readers recognize the review might not be genuine.

Legal Measures (If Necessary)

If fake reviews persist or appear coordinated, consult a legal expert. In some countries, posting fake reviews can be considered defamation or unfair competition, which are legally actionable. You may need to issue a cease-and-desist letter to the offending business or seek legal recourse. However, legal steps should always be the last resort, as they can be time-consuming and expensive.

Leverage ORM and Monitoring Tools

Consider using online reputation management (ORM) tools like Brand24, ReviewTrackers, or Google Alerts to monitor when new reviews are posted. These tools notify you in real-time, allowing quicker action against potential threats.

Also, engaging a professional team for reputation monitoring can provide expert-level handling. For businesses based in India, companies like the best job consultancy in Pune often collaborate with ORM specialists to protect brand identity online.

Report Abuse to Relevant Authorities

In severe cases where you can trace the activity back to a competitor, consider filing a report with your local consumer protection agency or digital complaint boards. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the U.S., for example, has acted against businesses using fake reviews as deceptive practices.

Good Point:

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