Google Removals

Reviews significantly influence personal, brand, and business reputations.

• 93% of people say online reviews impact their buying decisions.
• 89% of consumers are 'highly' or 'fairly' likely to use a business that responds to all of its online reviews.
• 67% will consider leaving a review for a positive experience.
• 86% of potential customers will not buy products or services from a business with negative reviews.

Just a single negative review ranking online can drive away 22% of customers, costing a business around 30 customers and around four or more negative reviews can drive away 70% of customers. That’s painful, and avoidable.

Taking all of this into account, plus the fact that 51% of businesses say their company has been negatively affected by unsubstantiated online reviews or targeted by trolls, and you can see the impact.

A common misunderstanding, and something we frequently get asked about, is the removal of a review simply because it’s negative or unfavourable. However, reviews can't be removed just because you don't agree with them.

The purpose of review platforms is to allow users to share their honest experiences—whether positive, negative, or neutral—so that others can make informed decisions based on genuine feedback from fellow customers. However, you can request the removal of reviews if they violate site policies, contain defamatory content, or if you have evidence that they are fake.

Feel free to reach out to our team to see how we can assist you with this.

You can also check out our blog post on the topic.: how to spot and remove fake reviews.

Defamation, as outlined by the Defamation Act 2013, involves making a false statement that harms someone's reputation. However, not every negative remark is considered defamatory. For a statement to be deemed defamatory, it must satisfy the following criteria:

1. Published to a Third Party: The statement must be communicated to at least one other person.
2. False Statement: The statement must be untrue and designed to mislead, rather than simply expressing an opinion.
3. Cause Serious Harm to the Claimant: The statement must result in significant damage to reputation or financial harm if it pertains to a business.
4. No Defamation Privilege: Certain statements, such as those made in court or issued as warnings, are exempt from defamation claims.

If these criteria are met, the statement can be considered either libel or slander.

Google can remove content from its search results for two main reasons: to comply with the law and to protect users.

Legally, Google must adhere to regional laws regarding privacy, copyright infringement, and data protection, relying on authorities and individuals to report violations. Google and other search engines like Bing remove copyrighted material under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and other legal issues, such as trademark violations and websites with phishing or malware.

Google might also remove content containing highly personal information, such as medical or financial details, private images without consent, and government IDs, even if the law doesn't require it. Google evaluates whether the potential harm to individuals outweighs the content's informational value.

Removing content from the internet can be complicated, but there are several strategies you can use to manage it:

• Delete Your Own Content: Log in to your accounts to remove content from your website, blog, or social media platforms. Consider replacing or redirecting deleted pages and updating your privacy settings on social media.
• Submit a Request to Google: If you don't have access to the site, you can ask Google to remove content that includes personally identifiable information, exploitative material, explicit or fake pornography, or images of minors.
• Contact the Website Owner: Get in touch with the website owner or author directly to request that the content be removed.
• Consider Legal Action: If necessary, consult with a legal professional about removal options. You might explore actions related to copyright infringement, defamation, or invoke the Right to be Forgotten, especially if you're in the EU.

When all efforts to remove the content have failed, the next step is to create an online reputation management strategy. This approach can help move the negative content lower in search results, diminishing its visibility and ensure yourself or your business has a positive reputation.

For more details about reputation management, review our guides or get in touch with Igniyte for a free consultation.

In Europe, individuals have the right to request the removal of personal data from online platforms. Unlike in the EU, where the "Right to Be Forgotten" allows individuals to request the removal of information from search engines under certain conditions, there is no broad equivalent law in the U.S. However, Google may still consider requests based on privacy or content that is outdated or irrelevant.

If you're curious about why Google search results hold such significance, it's important to note that over two-thirds of people rely on search engines when researching a company or brand.

This is a compelling reason for any organisation or brand to remove negative search results that might appear.

The content in question could be from an online review platform or negative articles on a news site. Whatever it is, people are eager to learn how to navigate the removal process.