How to Tell If a Bad Review Can Actually Be Removed

One of the most common questions we hear is: "Can this review even be removed?" The honest answer is: only if it violates a specific platform policy. Everything else is generally protected, no matter how damaging it feels.

Quick self-assessment checklist

Before spending time or money pursuing removal, run the review through these questions:

1. 1. Is the reviewer a real patient? If there's clear evidence they never visited or had any interaction with your practice, this is often a strong Category 02 (Non-Customer) case.
2. 2. Does the reviewer have an obvious conflict of interest? Former employees, competitors, or family members of competitors often fall under Category 03.
3. 3. Is the content off-topic or a personal attack? Rants about politics, other dentists, or unrelated personal grievances can qualify under Category 04.
4. 4. Does it contain personal information or offensive language? Sharing staff phone numbers, using slurs, or making threats can trigger multiple categories.
5. 5. Is it part of a coordinated attack? Multiple similar negative reviews appearing in a short time from new or suspicious accounts often indicates spam or fake engagement (Category 01).

When to get a professional opinion

If you're unsure after running the checklist, the fastest way to get clarity is to have the reviews professionally audited. We review every negative review against the actual current policies (not generic advice) and give you a clear, written assessment of which ones have realistic removal potential — at no cost or obligation.