What Do I Do If a Business Asks to Modify or Delete My Review?

At Oneflare, we believe that reviews are an essential part of building trust between businesses and customers. However, there may be times when a business requests you to modify or remove a review you've left. This could happen for several reasons, such as the business feeling the review is unfair or doesn't reflect the actual experience. Here’s a guide on how to handle a business’s request to modify or remove a review.

Why Would a Business Ask You to Modify or Remove a Review?

Businesses may request to modify or remove a review for various reasons, including:

1. They Believe the Review Is Inaccurate or Unfair:
   • The business may feel the review doesn’t accurately reflect the service or experience provided, and they want to address discrepancies.
2. Violation of Guidelines:
   • Sometimes, a review may include inappropriate language, false claims, or personal attacks, prompting the business to ask for changes.
3. Resolution of a Dispute:
   • If there’s been a misunderstanding or a dispute regarding the job, the business might request that the review be modified after the issue is resolved.
4. To Address a Negative Review:
   • In some cases, businesses may request to remove a negative review if they believe it doesn’t reflect their usual service standards or after resolving a customer complaint.

What Should You Do If a Business Requests to Modify or Remove Your Review?

If a business asks you to modify or remove your review, it’s important to consider the situation carefully. Here are the steps you can take:

1. Review Your Original Feedback

Before responding to the business’s request, re-read the review you left. Ensure that your feedback is:

• Accurate: Make sure the review reflects your actual experience with the business.
• Respectful and Constructive: Check if your review adheres to our review guidelines, including being respectful, clear, and focused on your experience.

If you feel your review is fair and accurate, you may choose to leave it as is.

2. Consider the Business’s Perspective

Think about why the business has made the request. Sometimes businesses may feel a review is overly harsh or may not fully understand the context. If their request seems reasonable (for example, they’ve addressed an issue you raised or resolved a dispute), it may be worth considering modifying the review.

If you’re open to it, you can amend the review to reflect any positive changes or resolutions that have been made.

3. Respond to the Request Politely

If you decide to respond, it’s important to remain professional and respectful. Whether you choose to edit the review or leave it unchanged, ensure that your response reflects your thoughts clearly and courteously. If you choose to keep the review as is, you can politely explain that the feedback accurately reflects your experience. If you're open to editing the review, acknowledge the business's efforts and indicate that you will update it accordingly. If you agree to remove the review, kindly express your willingness to do so based on the resolution provided by the business. Always aim for a constructive and respectful dialogue.

4. Keep Communication Open

If you're willing to modify your review, let the business know exactly what changes you plan to make. If you choose to remove the review, let them know why you’ve decided to do so. This keeps the interaction respectful and transparent, ensuring a positive outcome for both parties.

5. Report to Oneflare (If Needed)

If you feel that the request to modify or remove your review is unfair or violates our review guidelines, you can contact our support team either by emailing us at support@oneflare.com.au or by giving us a call at 1300 183 827. We will review the situation and provide guidance on how to proceed.

When Should You Not Modify or Remove a Review?

There are certain situations where you should not modify or remove your review, including:

• If the Review is Fair and Accurate: If the review honestly reflects your experience and does not violate our review guidelines, you are not obligated to change it.
• If You Feel Pressured: If the business is pressuring you to remove a negative review unfairly, you can contact our support team for advice.