What should a business do if faced with fake negative reviews on GibReview?

When faced with fake negative reviews on GibReview, a business should take a two-pronged approach: publicly respond to manage perception and pursue the platform's official reporting and removal channels. 
Step 1: Identify and Document the Review
  • Confirm it's fake: Check internal records, customer logs, and transaction history to confirm the reviewer was never a customer. Look for red flags such as vague details, mention of competitors, or a suspicious user profile (e.g., multiple negative reviews for businesses in different locations).
  • Gather evidence: Take screenshots of the review and the reviewer's profile. Document any inconsistencies in their story or timeline. This evidence is crucial if you need to escalate the issue. 
Step 2: Report the Review to GibReview
Most platforms, including GibReview, have a mechanism for reporting reviews that violate their terms of use (e.g., spam, harassment, no actual customer experience). 
  • Locate the reporting option: Navigate to the specific review on the GibReview platform and look for an option like "Report Review," "Flag as inappropriate," or similar.
  • Select the appropriate reason: Choose the reason that best fits the violation, such as "Spam," "Conflict of Interest" (if it's a competitor), or "Off-topic".
  • Provide evidence (if possible): While some platforms have a simple flagging system, others might allow you to submit additional context or evidence through a support form. 
Step 3: Respond Professionally in Public
While you wait for GibReview to investigate, a public response is vital for managing your online reputation and influencing potential customers who might read the review. 
  • Be prompt, calm, and professional: Respond quickly but avoid getting defensive or directly accusing the reviewer of lying.
  • State the facts neutrally: Mention that you take all feedback seriously but cannot find a record of their visit or interaction.
  • Invite private communication: Offer a direct email or phone number for the reviewer to discuss the matter further. This shows commitment to customer service and often discourages fake reviewers who do not want to be identified. 
Example Response:
"Thank you for your feedback. We take all customer experiences seriously, but we are unable to find a record of your visit in our system for the date mentioned. We would like to address this directly; please contact us at [your email/phone number] so we can resolve any potential issues."
Step 4: Escalate and Drown Out with Genuine Reviews
  • Follow up if needed: If the review is not removed after a reasonable amount of time (e.g., a few days to a week), follow up with GibReview's support team with your gathered evidence.
  • Encourage real reviews: The best long-term strategy is to generate more authentic, positive reviews from genuine customers to dilute the impact of the fake one on your overall rating.
  • Consider legal counsel (last resort): In extreme cases of defamation or significant financial harm, a business in Gibraltar may wish to consult legal counsel to explore options like a cease-and-desist letter or court order. 
These articles provide actionable advice on identifying and removing fake negative reviews from business profiles.

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