If you suspect a review is fake, report the post through the platform's official review-reporting tool. Select the policy reason that fits, attach concise redacted evidence, and save the confirmation or case number. Use an email or support-case template only if the platform offers that route or asks you to follow up.

A platform usually won't remove a review simply because it's negative, unfair, or harmful to a business. Your report is stronger when it identifies a specific policy concern and supports that concern with verifiable evidence. The templates below are written for U.S. businesses and sellers, but consumers can use the same basic reporting principles.

What can make a review reportable?

The platform decides whether a review violates its content rules. A business's dislike of the review, its rating, or its effect on sales is not usually enough. Possible policy concerns may include:

Warning signs are not proof by themselves. A new account, a single review, poor grammar, an unusual posting time, or an extreme rating may warrant closer review, but none of those facts establishes that a post is fake.

Gather evidence before you report

Save evidence before a review is edited, deleted, or hidden. Put the material in one folder or case file:

  1. Direct links. Save the review link, the business or product page, and the reviewer's public profile link when available.
  2. Screenshots. Capture the full review, username, rating, date, and relevant profile information.
  3. A short timeline. Record when the review appeared and any related calls, messages, orders, or disputes.
  4. Objective records. Check whether your records match the claimed visit or order. Redact addresses, phone numbers, payment details, and other private information.
  5. Pattern evidence. Save links to other reviews with identical wording, repeated images, or closely grouped posting dates.
  6. Extortion evidence. Preserve original messages, payment requests, usernames, phone numbers, and review links without editing them.

Stick to observable facts. For example, "Six reviews used the same unusual sentence within two hours" gives a platform something to investigate. "This reviewer looks suspicious" does not.

Where to report suspected fake reviews

Platform interfaces and account requirements can change. Start with the current reporting control attached to the review, then use the platform's support or appeal route if the first decision doesn't address the evidence.

Google Business Profile

Use Google's review-reporting process from your Business Profile. Choose the reason that most closely matches the suspected violation and provide the review link and relevant evidence. Google says reviews that violate its content policies can be removed from Maps and Search. See Google's instructions for reporting inappropriate reviews.

If Google finds no policy violation, use the appeal option available in the Business Profile tool instead of submitting the same report repeatedly. Google says that, when its evidence form appears, supporting material must be submitted within 60 minutes. Its appeal guidance also says a decision can take up to five business days. See Google's Business Profile appeal guidance.

Google also provides a separate process for businesses targeted by an extortion scam involving negative reviews. Use that route when someone demands money, goods, or another benefit in exchange for withholding or removing reviews.

Amazon

First identify whether the post is an Amazon product review or seller feedback. A product review concerns the item. Seller feedback concerns the transaction or seller experience, and the reporting route may differ.

Use the reporting control shown on the review, or open a Seller Central support case if that route is available to your account. Include the ASIN, product page, direct review link, reviewer name, and specific concern. Amazon's marketplace rules can vary by country. Its published community guidelines for Amazon reviews provide examples of content that may not be allowed, but check the rules for the marketplace involved. That linked page is for Amazon.fr and may not state every rule used in another marketplace.

Yelp

Claim or manage the business page, open the review's reporting menu, and select the reason that best describes the policy concern. A third-party walkthrough from BrightLocal on fake Yelp reviews describes this general workflow, but labels and account requirements can change.

If Yelp asks for more information, provide the review link and a short explanation supported by your records. Don't rely on a support email address copied from an old blog post; use the contact route shown in your account or on Yelp's current site.

Trustpilot

Use the reporting option in your business account or the support route shown by Trustpilot. Trustpilot describes its service as an open platform where reviews should be based on genuine experiences and comply with its guidelines.

Trustpilot's 2025 Trust Report says the company detected and removed fake reviews equal to 7.4% of reviews submitted in 2024. That is Trustpilot's own platform measure, not a rate that applies to other sites.

Other platforms

For Tripadvisor, Facebook, Etsy, and smaller marketplaces, begin with the report control attached to the review. If the initial report is rejected or needs more information, use the platform's current help or support form. Save the case number and avoid sending duplicate reports from several accounts.

Before using a reporting template

These templates are suitable for a platform support form, a Seller Central case, or an email reply requested by the platform. They are not a reason to send messages to unverified addresses.

Replace every bracketed field and remove any statement you can't prove. A useful report:

10 templates for reporting suspected fake reviews

1. General first-report template

Subject: Policy review request for [business or product] - [review link]

Hello [Platform support team],

I represent [business, shop, or seller name]. Please review this post: [direct review link]. It was published by [username] on [date].

I believe it may violate [platform policy category] because [specific, verifiable reason]. The relevant evidence is:

I have attached [screenshots or other evidence]. I understand that a negative review is not automatically a policy violation. I am requesting a review under the applicable content rules.

Please let me know if you need additional information.

Regards,
[Full name]
[Role]
[Business name]
[Account email]
[Case or profile details]

2. Google Business Profile report

Subject: Request to review suspected policy violation - [Business Name]

Hello Google Support,

I manage [Business Name] at [business address or location]. The review is here: [Google review link]. The reviewer is [username], and it was posted on [date].

The possible policy concern is [select or describe the applicable category]. The facts supporting this report are:

I have attached screenshots and a timeline. The report is based on a suspected policy violation, not simply on the review's rating or criticism. Please evaluate the content under Google's applicable policies.

Thank you,
[Name]
[Business Profile manager email]

3. Google appeal after a rejection

Subject: Appeal of review report - case [Case ID]

Hello Google Support,

I am following up on case [Case ID], submitted on [date] about this review: [review link]. The original decision stated [no policy violation or other result].

I am requesting an appeal because [new evidence or clarification]. The most relevant fact is [one concise fact], supported by [attached document or screenshot]. The possible policy category remains [category].

I understand that Google may leave a review online if it does not violate policy. Please reconsider the report using the attached evidence and let me know whether any further information is required.

Regards,
[Name]
[Business Profile details]

4. Amazon product-review report

Subject: Request to review product review for ASIN [ASIN]

Hello Amazon Support,

I am the seller of [Product Name], ASIN [ASIN]. I am reporting this product review: [review link].

The possible guideline concern is [copied content, content about a different product, promotional material, an incentive not allowed under the applicable rules, or another specific issue]. The supporting facts are:

I have attached screenshots and have not included unnecessary customer or payment information. Please review the post under the customer review guidelines and advise whether it should remain published.

Thank you,
[Name]
[Seller Central account email]
[Merchant or storefront details]

5. Amazon seller-feedback report

Subject: Review of seller feedback for order [Order ID]

Hello Amazon Support,

I am reporting feedback connected with order [Order ID]: [feedback link or account reference].

This appears to concern [the product review, the seller transaction, or another issue]. The specific concern is [describe the possible rule violation without calling the buyer a fraudster]. Relevant evidence includes [screenshots, messages, or order records].

Please confirm whether this content is being handled as product review content or seller feedback, then review it under the rules that apply to that category.

Regards,
[Name]
[Seller Central account email]

6. Yelp review report

Subject: Request to review possible Yelp content violation - [Business Name]

Hello Yelp Support,

I manage [Business Name] and am requesting a policy review of this post: [Yelp review link].

The concern is [possible conflict of interest, no apparent genuine experience, copied content, harassment, or another specific category]. The supporting facts are:

We can't match the details in the post to our records, but we recognize that incomplete records alone don't prove a review is fake. Please evaluate the review under Yelp's current content rules.

Thank you,
[Name]
[Business page details]
[Preferred contact method]

7. Trustpilot review report

Subject: Request to review Trustpilot post - [Business Name]

Hello Trustpilot Support,

Please review this post about [Business Name]: [review link]. It was published by [username] on [date].

The possible guideline issue is [not based on a genuine experience, undisclosed conflict, copied content, promotional material, or another specific concern]. I have attached [screenshots, order records, or relevant correspondence] and redacted private information.

I am not asking for removal merely because the review is negative. Please determine whether it complies with Trustpilot's current guidelines and let me know if you need more evidence.

Regards,
[Name]
[Business account email]

8. Coordinated-review pattern report

Subject: Possible coordinated review activity affecting [Business Name]

Hello [Platform support team],

I am reporting a possible pattern involving these posts:

The posts appeared between [date] and [date] and share these observable characteristics: [identical wording, repeated images, matching claims, or another specific pattern]. Additional evidence includes [screenshots, public profile information, or messages].

I am not claiming that the accounts are connected based only on their ratings or posting dates. Please investigate whether the pattern violates the platform's rules on fake, coordinated, or inauthentic content.

Thank you,
[Name]
[Account and business details]

9. Review-extortion report

Subject: Urgent review-extortion report - [Business Name]

Hello [Platform support team],

On [date], [person or account] demanded [money, goods, a refund, or another benefit] and stated or implied that a negative review would be posted or maintained if the demand was not met.

Relevant review links are:

I have attached the original messages, usernames, timestamps, payment request, and screenshots. I have preserved the original files and have not edited the evidence.

Please direct this report to the platform's extortion or abuse team and advise whether any additional steps are required to protect the account and business listing.

Regards,
[Name]
[Business and account details]

10. Follow-up on an unresolved report

Subject: Follow-up on case [Case ID] - [review link]

Hello [Platform support team],

I am following up on case [Case ID], submitted on [date], concerning [review link]. The current status is [status shown in the account].

I am providing one additional item of evidence: [describe the new fact and attachment]. I am not submitting a duplicate report. Please confirm whether the case is still under review and whether you need anything else from me.

Thank you,
[Name]
[Account email]

How to respond publicly while the report is pending

A calm response can protect readers without amplifying the accusation. Don't publish an order number, address, phone number, or other private customer information.

You can use:

Hi [name], we take feedback seriously. We can't match the details in this post to a customer interaction from the information available here, and we'd like to understand what happened. Please contact us privately at [contact method] with the date and relevant details so we can investigate. We have also asked the platform to review whether the post meets its content policies.

Use the last sentence only if you actually filed a report. If the review appears genuine, respond to the underlying problem instead of calling it fake. Don't offer money, discounts, or another benefit in exchange for a positive review or review deletion; that can create a separate platform or regulatory problem.

What the FTC rule does and does not do

The FTC's Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule Q and A says the rule took effect on October 21, 2024. It addresses deceptive and unfair conduct involving consumer reviews and testimonials, including covered conduct involving fake or false reviews and review brokers. The FTC's announcement of the final rule provides additional detail.

The rule does not create a private right of action. It also isn't a direct takedown mechanism for an individual Google, Amazon, Yelp, or Trustpilot post. For a particular listing, a platform report remains the practical way to ask the site to evaluate content under its own policies.

If you identify a broader scheme involving paid fake reviews, review sellers, or deceptive business practices, preserve the evidence for a possible FTC report. Keep that regulatory route separate from your platform request: the FTC's role is enforcement, while the platform controls the review listing.

For U.S. readers, GDPR language is not a general-purpose substitute for a review-policy report. If the matter involves a specific European data-protection issue, get jurisdiction-specific guidance rather than pasting a generic GDPR demand into a support ticket.

Common reporting mistakes

Before submitting, confirm that the review link works, the policy category is accurate, the screenshots show dates and usernames, and every factual statement can be supported. Then save the confirmation number and use the platform's appeal or follow-up route if the first decision doesn't address the evidence.