On Google, a review platform or in social media there is a review of your company that you consider false or unfair, sometimes anonymous, sometimes from someone who was never a customer.
What matters now
- Do not reply in anger. A public reply, if any, stays short and factual.
- Opinions are largely permitted, even harsh ones. Untrue statements of fact, abusive criticism and reviews without any customer contact are a different matter.
- Secure evidence: screenshot with date, link and the author’s profile.
- Platforms must follow up on specific notices; the reporting route is often the fastest.
- If competitors are behind fake reviews, competition law comes into play as well.
Documents I need
- screenshots and the link to the review
- documents on the transaction concerned, or proof that there was no contact
- previous reports to the platform and its answers
Next steps
Send me the documents by email to kanzlei@bauer.legal or use the appointment request, and mention any deadline that is running. I usually reply within one working day and let you know how things can proceed. You can write to me in English or German. How we work together and how fees are charged is explained under How we work together.
More: Media law, Unfair competition law.
This page gives a general overview of German law and does not replace advice on the individual case.