Reading list: Protecting Your Brand from Trustpilot Fake Reviews: A Step-by-Step Guide
In today’s hyper-connected world, online reviews significantly shape consumer decisions. Among platforms that influence buyer trust, Trustpilot holds a powerful position. But with increased exposure comes vulnerability — especially to fake reviews. Brands across industries are falling prey to Trustpilot fake reviews, which can mislead customers and severely damage reputation. Here's a practical guide to help you protect your brand and maintain credibility.

Step 1: Monitor Your Trustpilot Profile Regularly

The first step is vigilance. Monitor your Trustpilot profile frequently to detect suspicious activity early. Look out for sudden spikes in negative reviews, patterns of repetitive language, or reviewers with incomplete profiles. Setting up alerts or using tools like Google Alerts can help track new mentions of your business.

You can also integrate Trustpilot's APIs or dashboards into your CRM to keep a close watch on customer sentiment. Many businesses miss early red flags simply due to a lack of monitoring.

Step 2: Educate Your Team on Review Policies

Many brands don't fully understand what qualifies as a fake review under Trustpilot’s guidelines. Educating your customer support and marketing teams about Trustpilot’s guidelines (see: Trustpilot Content Integrity Guidelines) ensures everyone knows what constitutes a violation.

Training staff to recognize red flags—like competitors posing as customers or reviews lacking transaction evidence—equips them to act quickly and efficiently.

Step 3: Collect and Preserve Evidence

If you identify a review that seems fraudulent, your next step is to gather proof. Screenshots, order numbers, customer service interactions, or IP data are all helpful. Trustpilot requires evidence when flagging a review, especially when the reviewer doesn't respond to their verification request.

Maintaining a clean and organized database of customer interactions helps speed up the verification process, increasing your chances of getting the review removed.

Step 4: Flag and Report the Review

Trustpilot provides a built-in reporting feature to flag reviews that violate its terms. Use this function to formally dispute fake reviews. When doing so, ensure you select the correct reason and attach supporting evidence if required.

Make your case clear and professional — avoid emotional language and stick to facts. Reviews may not be immediately removed, but consistent and valid flagging improves the platform’s trust in your reports.

Step 5: Leverage Legal Recourse When Necessary

Sometimes, a review goes beyond misinformation and crosses into defamation. If a fake review is causing material harm to your business and Trustpilot refuses to act, legal options may be worth exploring.

Consult a legal expert to determine whether the content violates defamation laws in your region. Sending a cease-and-desist letter or pursuing legal action may be viable in extreme cases.

For reference, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in the U.S. and GDPR regulations in the EU provide pathways for businesses to challenge harmful or defamatory content online.

Step 6: Encourage Authentic Positive Reviews

One of the best ways to fight trustpilot fake reviews is by burying them with genuine, positive ones. Encourage happy customers to share their experiences. Email follow-ups, incentives, and QR codes on receipts can help boost engagement.

According to Pew Research Center, over 80% of U.S. adults read online reviews before making a purchase. This reinforces the importance of a steady stream of real feedback to build consumer trust.

Step 7: Strengthen Your Online Reputation Beyond Trustpilot

Don’t put all your reputation eggs in one basket. Build a diverse online presence through platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, and social media. A multi-channel approach lessens the impact of negative attacks on any single platform.

Additionally, consider investing in an online reputation management (ORM) service that proactively protects and monitors your brand reputation across platforms. These services often use AI to detect review manipulation and alert businesses in real time.

Step 8: Build Transparency with Your Audience

If your brand is being targeted by fake reviews, don’t hide it. Be transparent with your audience. Post a message on your website or social media addressing the issue and reinforcing your commitment to customer satisfaction.