If you are wondering how to remove Trustpilot reviews, you are not alone.
Thousands of businesses every month deal with reviews that feel unfair, inaccurate or even harmful. Trustpilot is one of the largest review platforms in the world, and while it prides itself on transparency, it also provides clear rules and protections for business owners.
The truth is that you cannot simply delete a review yourself.
But if a review violates Trustpilot’s guidelines, breaks the rules, or contains harmful or false statements, you can request removal.
This guide explains how Trustpilot’s removal system works, when a review qualifies for deletion, how to flag reviews correctly and what you can realistically expect. It also shows you when it might be time to get professional help to clean up your online reputation.
Can You Remove Trustpilot Reviews?
The answer is yes, as long as the review breaks Trustpilot’s rules.
Trustpilot has strict guidelines that protect both consumers and businesses. When a review violates these guidelines, Trustpilot will remove it.
But businesses cannot delete reviews directly. You must flag the review and allow Trustpilot’s content integrity team to investigate.
Reasons Trustpilot Will Remove a Review
Below are the most common reasons Trustpilot will delete a review. All of these come straight from Trustpilot’s guidelines but explained in clear, friendly language.
1. The review contains defamation
Defamation is a false statement presented as fact that harms your business reputation. This includes:
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false claims about illegal behavior
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accusations without evidence
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claims that could damage your brand or credibility
If a reviewer writes something that is not true and could harm your business, it qualifies for removal.
2. The reviewer never had a genuine experience
Trustpilot requires reviewers to have an actual experience with your business.
Examples of violations:
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competitors pretending to be customers
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people writing about services they never used
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paid or fake reviews
You can request documentation from the reviewer. If they cannot provide proof, the review will be removed.
3. The review contains offensive or abusive language
Insults, harassment or profanity are all violations. Trustpilot removes these quickly.
4. The review shares private or confidential information
This includes:
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private email addresses
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personal phone numbers
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internal employee information
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personal names of team members if not relevant to the public review
Anything that risks privacy or safety can be flagged for removal.
5. The review includes promotional content
If the review promotes another company, shares links, or tries to market a competitor, Trustpilot removes it.
6. The review is about the wrong business
Sometimes reviewers leave a review for the wrong company. If the review is clearly not about you, it will be taken down.
How To Flag a Trustpilot Review for Removal
Flagging a review is the official, approved and legal method. Here is the step by step process:
Step one: Log in to your Trustpilot Business account
Go to your reviews dashboard.
Step two: Find the review you want to report
Read it carefully and confirm which guideline it violates.
Step three: Click “Flag review”
Trustpilot lets you choose the exact reason you are flagging the review.
Step four: Provide a short and clear explanation
The key is to be calm, factual and specific.
Avoid emotional language. Trustpilot focuses on evidence, not emotion.
Step five: Wait for the reviewer to respond
Trustpilot may ask the reviewer for proof of their experience.
If they cannot provide it, the review is removed.
Step six: Trustpilot’s content team reviews your case
This usually takes between two and five business days.
If the review violates the rules, it will be taken down.
What To Do If Trustpilot Declines Your Removal Request
Sometimes Trustpilot will keep a review even if it feels unfair.
If that happens, you still have powerful options.
1. Reply publicly to clarify your side
A calm, clear response shows professionalism and protects your brand.
Future customers will see your explanation and judge you based on your tone, not the review.
2. Encourage more happy customers to leave reviews
One unfair review becomes less damaging when surrounded by dozens of positive ones.
3. Monitor the review over time
If the reviewer violates policies later or updates the review with new information, you may be able to flag it again.
4. Get support from a reputation management expert
Some reviews require more strategic approaches, especially when you are dealing with defamation, targeted attacks or competitors.
This is the ideal place to insert your service button.
What Counts as Defamation on Trustpilot?
Defamation is a serious issue that Trustpilot takes very seriously.
A review may be considered defamatory if it includes:
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false statements presented as facts
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accusations of criminal behavior
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claims intended to damage your business
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statements that cannot be proven
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allegations that harm your ability to attract customers
If a review contains defamation, it is absolutely eligible for removal.
Important note:
You do not need to prove your innocence.
The reviewer must provide evidence that their claims are true.
If they cannot, Trustpilot will remove the review.
How Long Does It Take To Remove a Trustpilot Review?
The timeline varies depending on the case.
Typically:
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initial review: 48 to 72 hours
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proof request to the reviewer: up to 7 days
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final decision: usually within 10 days
If the reviewer ignores Trustpilot’s request for proof, the review will generally be deleted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue someone over a Trustpilot review?
Yes, if the review contains defamation. However, legal action is usually the last option. Flagging and removal requests are much faster.
Can I ask the reviewer to remove it themselves?
Yes, but you cannot offer discounts or incentives. That violates Trustpilot policies.
What if the review is emotional but true?
Trustpilot will not remove a review just because it is negative. But you can still respond professionally and protect your reputation.
Do businesses get punished for flagging too many reviews?
No. Trustpilot encourages you to flag anything that violates the rules.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to remove Trustpilot reviews is not about deleting everything negative.
It is about understanding the rules and using them correctly.
Reviews that are false, abusive or clearly outside the guidelines can be removed.
Reviews that simply share honest criticism usually stay.
What matters most is how you handle them.
A calm response, a clear explanation and the right removal strategy can protect your reputation and build trust with future customers.
When you need help removing harmful reviews or managing your online reputation, insert your call to action here: