Yelp is one of the biggest problems for those dealing with reputation management. It’s a website that seems to crop up in all sorts of situations, and there are few business owners who are satisfied with their representation on Yelp. Here are some strategies to get negative Yelp reviews removed from the website, without paying a dime to Yelp and without violating the site’s terms of service.
Ask the Customer to Remove It
If you want the simplest way to reputation repair, just ask the customer directly. If you know the customer, it might be a good idea to try and reach out to them to see if you can solve the dispute. You can respond on Yelp and request contact information privately, which is also a good way to show the public you care. If you can find the root of the problem, and provide a suitable resolution, then the customer will usually feel ok about removing the negative comment. ReputationStars.com also recommends asking them to edit the review and bring up how the problem was resolved.
Just make sure you take the time you need to cool off. A negative review can cause some to feel angry, and it will only make your online reputation management worse if you come across as hotheaded.
Look for TOS Violations
Yelp’s terms of service are specific about what reviews are acceptable on the website. If a negative review violates those terms, then you can request Yelp remove that review. This works especially well if the review reads more like a personal attack, or if it was written on behalf of someone.