28 August 2026 · 4 min read
The Difference Between a Bad Review and a Fake One
By Charlie Wells, Founder
A bad review is still a real one
A genuine customer, describing a genuine experience, in language you don't like, still deserves a considered, professional public response. It's always worth getting a specific, evidence-based read on a review before deciding whether a removal request makes sense — rather than guessing either way.
What actually separates "fake" from "bad"
A fake review typically shows one or more concrete signals: no verifiable connection to your business (no booking, order, or appointment record), content describing a service or location you don't operate, or a pattern matching known review-farm or competitor behaviour. These are checkable facts, not a matter of opinion about tone.
Why the distinction changes what you should do
Treating every bad review the same way — responding to all of them, or trying to remove all of them — misses the point. Getting a proper, case-by-case read on which is which is what actually saves time: a considered response where that's the right call, and evidence-led removal where it isn't.
A quick way to tell which one you're looking at
Can you match the review to an actual record of that person using your business? Does the complaint describe something you actually do? Does the account have a pattern of similar reviews across unrelated businesses? Answering these honestly, before deciding how to react, saves time either way.
Where to go from here
A free assessment through Reputect's Content Removal service will tell you honestly which category a specific review falls into — and if it's genuinely fake, what evidence would actually move the case.
Related: Content Removal
See Content RemovalKeep reading
Facebook Reviews: How Removal Actually Differs From Google
Facebook's recommendation format changes both the problem and the process. Here's what's actually different.
How Much Does Review Removal Actually Cost in Australia?
There's no flat rate. Any provider quoting one before assessing your specific case is guessing.