What should I do about negative reviews?

Respond, don't retaliate

Reply to negative reviews professionally and promptly. Keep responses brief, factual, and focused on addressing the specific complaint. Never attack the reviewer or become defensive. A calm, helpful response shows others you take feedback seriously.

When to respond and when to skip

Respond to reviews containing false facts or actionable errors. Skip reviews that are just venting without specifics, or where the reviewer seems determined to remain upset. Engaging sometimes amplifies negativity.

Take serious issues offline

If a review describes a real problem—safety, financial harm, medical issue—acknowledge it publicly and offer to discuss privately. Get their contact information and follow up. This shows other readers you address real failures.

Don't fake positive reviews

Asking friends to write positive reviews, or writing them yourself, violates platform terms and damages credibility if discovered. Responding well to legitimate criticism is more effective.

Know what you can request removed

Most platforms let you flag reviews for removal only if they violate specific policies: threats, spam, off-topic content, or competitor sabotage. Personal opinions or experiences stay, even if harsh.