I suspect a competitor is posting negative reviews on Google. What should I do?
You can flag and report suspicious reviews directly via your Google Business Profile dashboard.
Locate the review, click the three dots next to it, and select “Flag as inappropriate” or “Report review.” Google promises to then review it and can remove reviews that violate its policies, such as fake reviews, spam, or reviews containing prohibited content. It helps to have evidence like proof the reviewer’s account is new, suspicious wording, multiple fake reviews, etc. Even if you’re absolutely sure the review is fake and their motives are malicious, respond professionally — taking the high road will demonstrate your commitment to authentic feedback and customer service. And definitely don’t attempt to retaliate or post fake reviews yourself, as this can violate platform policies and harm your reputation in the long run.
Other things you can do:
- Actively solicit honest reviews from genuine customers with a goal to drown out any fake ones.
- Monitor reviews regularly so you can react quickly to suspicious ones and flag them promptly.
- And if you believe fake reviews are part of a larger defamation or smear campaign, consulting with legal counsel may be appropriate for further action.
One of my salespeople recently resigned and opened his own optical up the street. What should I do?
Unless he did something that was in violation of his work contract, you should forget about it. There’s always going to be competition and the only way to keep a step ahead is to stay focused on building your business. People waste a lot of time and energy worrying about ex-employees who become competitors. Just concentrate on being the best you can be, and he’ll either need to find his own niche, or he’ll face some tough market realities.
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