Free tool
Does this review break the platform’s rules?
Platforms remove a review only when it breaks their rules or the law. A negative review is not enough. Answer a few questions to see what may apply, what evidence to collect and how to report it yourself.
Free · no sign-up · result on screen · based on the platforms’ published rules, checked on 6 November 2026
Your result
From your answers, a rule may apply. Each ground below says what the rule covers and what to collect.
Some answers are “Not sure”. An analyst can tell you which rule applies, if any.
From your answers, this looks like a genuine negative review. Platforms keep those, and we would not file against it.
Someone is demanding something in exchange
Do not pay or negotiate. Google advises against it: paying can encourage more attempts and does not guarantee anything. Save screenshots of every demand with dates, times and sender details, direct links to the suspicious reviews, any names or contact details used, and a timeline of when the spike began and when the demand came. Then use the form described in Google’s extortion guidance. It is only for direct demands.
Possible conflict of interest
Google does not allow reviews based on a conflict of interest, including employment, contracts, competitors and family (policy). Collect what links the reviewer to that interest: a timeline or earlier messages. Do not try to unmask anyone.
Possibly not a real experience
Google requires reviews to reflect a real experience (fake engagement). Collect booking, order or visit records for the period. A missing record alone proves nothing. If you recognise the customer, this ground is closed.
Possible coordinated wave
Google removes unusual volumes or patterns meant to shift a rating (rating manipulation). List each review with its date and link and note repeated wording. Not every spike is an attack: many real customers can complain about one real problem.
Harassment, hate speech or profanity
Google prohibits threats, doxxing and hate speech, and removes profanity used to offend or to emphasise criticism (policy). Take screenshots first, because the reviewer can still edit the text.
Personal information
Personal details should not be posted without consent (policy). Professionals who do business under their own name can be named, and a business can share its own contact details.
Off-topic
Content must relate to an experience at a specific location. General political or social commentary and personal rants are not allowed (policy).
Advertising or solicitation
Reviews cannot be promotional and cannot contain email addresses, phone numbers, social media links or website links (policy).
Harmful or illegal content
Trustpilot lists hate speech, threats or violence, obscenity and defamation. Defamation means a false factual statement causing significant financial loss, and opinions do not count (guidelines). A defamation claim needs legal judgement, so speak to a lawyer first.
Personal information
This qualifies unless the information is already on your profile or website, or the reviewer shared their own details (guidelines).
Advertising or promotion
Trustpilot does not allow promotion of another business, scams, spam or misinformation in reviews. Mentioning a competitor alone is not enough (guidelines).
Not based on a genuine experience
Reviewers need not be invited, need not have bought anything and may use a username, so not recognising a name is not enough. You can first ask the reviewer for details, and they have three days to respond. If they do not answer and you still believe it, you can flag on that basis (guidelines). If you recognise the customer, this ground is closed.
A different business
Trustpilot accepts this ground for a review about another company or posted on the wrong one of your profiles. A vague review that does not name you is not enough (guidelines).
More than one ground fits?
Choose the one that fits best. Filing several grounds on one review to raise the odds is a method we refuse, and platforms treat it as misuse.
How to report it on Google
- Open your Business Profile, choose Read reviews, select Report next to the review, pick the reason that fits and send it. You can also use Google’s Reviews Management Tool.
- Google says evaluation typically takes several days. The tool shows the status.
- If Google finds no violation, you have a one-time appeal, in batches of up to 10 reviews. The result comes by email.
How to flag it on Trustpilot
- In your business account, find the review and use the flag icon. Choose one reason. Most reviews stay visible during the investigation, but those flagged as harmful or illegal are hidden.
- If the reviewer needs to act, Trustpilot gives them three days. Trustpilot may also ask you for documentation.
- If you disagree with the outcome, reply to the decision email with your reasons, then use the appeal link in it.
Misuse, such as flagging too quickly or for the wrong reasons, can lead to restrictions and a Consumer Warning on your profile (Trustpilot).
What to do instead
A calm, factual public reply usually helps more than a report. Read how to reply to a negative review, and resolve the complaint if you can, without asking for the review to be withdrawn.
If you are not sure
Check your booking, order or visit records for the period before you report anything. A report is a scarce thing: Google allows one appeal per review.
General information based on the platforms’ published rules, not legal advice and not our assessment of your review. Only the platform decides.
What next
You can do all of this yourself, for free. If you want the same scrutiny on every review, with a written verdict and a record of everything, that is what the shield is for.
Ask an analyst to check it
Free and without obligation. We only need your email. An analyst checks the review against the platform’s rules and writes back with which rule applies, if any.
Sources, checked on 6 November 2026
Questions about reporting a review
Will Google remove a negative review?
Only if it breaks Google’s content policies. Google asks businesses not to report a review just because they disagree with it, and it does not step into disputes between businesses and customers.
How long does a report take?
Google says evaluation typically takes several days, and you can follow the status in its Reviews Management Tool. Trustpilot gives a reviewer three days to act when asked, and some cases take longer.
What if the first report fails?
Google allows a one-time appeal per review. Trustpilot lets you reply to the decision email with your reasons and then appeal through the link in it. That one appeal is worth preparing properly.
Should I pay someone who demands money to stop bad reviews?
No. Google advises against paying or engaging. Collect screenshots of every demand, the links to the reviews and a timeline, then use Google’s extortion report form.