'Fake Google reviews are damaging my business'

  • 📰 BBCNews
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 1 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 4%
  • Publisher: 97%

South Africa News News

South Africa South Africa Latest News,South Africa South Africa Headlines

'From a small company like this to take on the mighty Google, it's not going to be easy' Richard, a small business owner in England, has started legal action against Google about fake and damaging reviews

The BBC's Angus Crawford went to meet him.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 3. in ZA
 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.

My business has also been affected by an anonymous person writing fake one star reviews. Have reported it in numerous occasions to Google but they just won't do anything . It's infuriating.

we tracked the names down, although fake names they still lead us too a company near us where we managed to give evidence to police...the company in questioned also wrote himself fake 5star reviews...laughable as Google didnt want to know👎🏻

The very reason my business doesn't have any social media presence or appear on Google. All advertising is word of mouth and recommendations and we have been trading 12 years .

ya man these reviews (google and others) really make or breaks a businesses esp small ones... tough situation

Someone should do the same with trip advisor

I am currently writing a dissertation on Digital Intermediary liability for defamation in cases like the one described and whether more stringent liability should be placed on tech giants. Would it be possible to receive any more information about this case?

Google are too powerful for your own good.

Care of FinchleyCentra1 'A a letter from Australian police expressing their concerns about the Covid restrictions. On page 5 it outlines the police have a choice whether to take the vaccine or not. Probably same worldwide.'

No way scum bags

I'm all about this! Google makes it impossible to remove an obvious error. There is a 3 paragraph nasty and damaging review that describes a meal that isn't even on my menu. It's the restaurant next door, which I can easily prove. We have been unsuccessful in having it removed.

Fake positive reviews are more common.

Best of luck. Bring down the Borg!

Maybe a medium of only allowing people who can verify a purchase to leave reviews on a certain product would be the fairest way forward. At least then you know the reviews are going to be (for the most part) a fair assessment of what to expect from a company or product.

This works both ways, if you buy a product that's shoddy or over priced, leaving reviews is sometimes the only weapon a customer has. So many 'Positive' reviews are paid for & sometimes looking through the negative reviews are the only things that prevent you being ripped off

Online review systems are ruined anyways because people write stuff like... “Arrived 1 day late with slight dent on box very rude customer service AVOID!!!!!” Just review the bloody product lol instead of venting Karen.

Thats not googles fault is it, he's either upset someone or a competitor is playing dirty

Google, Facebook, Trip advisor etc they're all guilty of this.

see also yelp

Take a look at the reviews for Bristol Street Motor's Stafford. All written in the same generic manner praising the same staff members. Clearly false and this pattern is repeated across other BS locations. Clearly written by the staff at the locations to garner reward.

Our business has also been affected by fake reviews from many, many years ago, and yes if does affect us! Google GoogleStartupUK should deal with this fairly and delete them if they are proved to be fake!

All reviews must be verified using real name, real phone numbers & an order number, invoice number or any other identifiable information to confirm if it’s a genuine review. It’s not easy to run a business. And competitors can use malicious tactics to destroy your business.

My Dad had the same from a competitor and it fell on deaf ears, we just ended up writing fake reviews of our own 🤷🏻‍♂️

fake! who are doing the damage and why?

I’d start buying electric SUV’s if I were you fella .

Reviews are reviews. You claim theyre fake, you prove theyre fake, and if you do, you handle your own PR and stop whining.

Same with Facebook. When something goes wrong there is zero support. Cant even ring Facebook and they make billions in profits.

People should always make up there own mind about a business or service and not just rely on what keyboard warriors say 🤷‍♂️

Monopolies are all the rage. Quit your bit*hing.

this is terrible news

South Africa South Africa Latest News, South Africa South Africa Headlines