Can You Remove a Fake Glassdoor Review? An Honest Answer

Many employers believe a review is fake because it is wrong or unfair. Glassdoor draws a line between reviews that break its guidelines and reviews an employer simply dislikes. Here is how to tell the difference and what you can do.

This question comes up constantly, and the honest answer is that it depends on what you mean by fake. If you mean a review written by someone who never worked for you, or by a competitor, there is a route. If you mean a review that is inaccurate or unfair, the route is much narrower.

Understanding that distinction saves time and prevents disappointment.

Key takeaways

Glassdoor does not remove reviews just because they are inaccurate or negative.
It may remove reviews that clearly break its guidelines.
A thoughtful response and more genuine reviews are usually the best path.

The honest answer

Sometimes, but only when a review breaks the rules. Glassdoor cannot verify every claim, so it generally leaves reviews up if they appear to reflect someone's experience.

What could count as fake

A review by someone who never worked for you
Reviews from competitors or people with a conflict of interest
Multiple reviews that appear to be written by the same person
Reviews posted to promote or attack a company, not describe an experience

What to do

Remove a fake Glassdoor review: the steps at a glance

Look for guideline breachesCheck the review for threats, discrimination, personal attacks, confidential information or promotion.
Flag itUse the flag button with a clear explanation. Provide any pattern you notice.
Respond publiclyReply thoughtfully, even if you suspect the review is fake.
Encourage real reviewsAsk current employees to share honest feedback. Never script or reward it.
Consider legal help for defamationA lawyer can advise on a court order, which Glassdoor treats separately.

How Glassdoor approaches fake reviews

Glassdoor says that it uses a combination of technology and moderators to detect fake reviews, and it removes content that breaks its guidelines. It also asks reviewers to confirm that they have worked for the company. It cannot, however, verify the truth of each statement, so many critical reviews remain.

Gathering evidence

Check whether the review mentions roles, locations or projects that do not exist in your company
Look for several reviews with similar wording or posted close together
Check for signs of a competitor or former employee with a known dispute
Save screenshots with dates
Keep records that show the facts, such as organisation charts or dates of employment

Flagging effectively

Explain in a few sentences why you believe the review is not genuine, and attach nothing that identifies individual employees. Glassdoor treats confidentiality seriously. Overly long or aggressive flags are less effective.

If the review stays

Respond professionally, ask current employees for honest feedback and focus on what you can improve. Over time, a larger number of authentic reviews gives candidates a more balanced picture.

When a campaign is behind the reviews

Sometimes several negative reviews appear after a layoff, a public controversy or a social media post. Not all of them are fake, but some may be posted by people who never worked for you. In that situation, do not rush to flag every review. Read them calmly, identify those that clearly break the rules and focus your evidence on those.

At the same time, speak to your people. Employees who feel heard are more likely to share balanced reviews, and managers who understand the concerns can address them before they become public.

Remove a fake Glassdoor review: key takeaways

If you suspect a campaign against your company, email us the details and we will tell you what is realistic.

Frequently asked questions

Does Glassdoor verify reviewers?

It uses a mix of technology and moderation to reduce fake reviews, and it asks reviewers to confirm that they have worked at the company. Reviewers remain anonymous, though. Verification does not mean every statement has been fact-checked, so a verified review can still contain claims you disagree with.

Can I remove a review by paying?

No. Payment does not buy removals on Glassdoor, and anyone who offers to delete reviews for a fee should be treated with suspicion. Such offers may involve unofficial or deceptive methods that put your company at risk. Use the flagging process, respond to reviews and focus on improving the workplace.

What if the review names me personally?

Flag it for breaching the guidelines on naming individuals, and explain which part names you. Glassdoor's rules limit personal attacks and the naming of people in certain ways. If the review makes false and damaging statements about you, take legal advice, because that may amount to defamation in your country.

Do responses help?

Yes. Candidates read employer responses, and a thoughtful, calm reply can reduce the impact of a harsh review. It shows that leadership listens. Keep your response short, avoid defensiveness and describe what you are doing to improve. Never try to identify the reviewer.

Can I ask Glassdoor to investigate more deeply?

You can provide evidence through the flagging process and, if needed, by contacting Glassdoor's support. The company decides how to proceed and does not normally share details of its investigations. If you believe a review is clearly false and damaging, a lawyer can advise on legal options.

Is it worth taking legal action?

Only in serious cases, and only after advice from a lawyer. Court orders to remove or identify reviewers exist, but they are handled separately by Glassdoor, can be slow and expensive and may draw more attention to the review. For most employers, a response plan and better workplace practices are more effective.

Need help with this?

Every situation is different. Email us the details in confidence and we will reply with an honest assessment of what can be done.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. DMCA Reputation is not a law firm.