Yes, you can report a Yelp review; flag it from the review’s menu and submit details that show it breaks Yelp’s Content Guidelines.
Here’s the short path: open the review, hit the three-dot menu, choose “Report review,” and give clear context. The rest of this guide explains what counts as a valid report, what usually stays up, and how to write a report that gets read and acted on.
What Counts As A Report-Worthy Review
Yelp removes posts that break house rules. Common triggers include threats, hate speech, private data, conflicts of interest, proven fake events, and ad-like plugs. Pure opinion stays up, even when it stings. The test is simple: does the content violate a written rule, or is it just a harsh take?
Quick Reference: Violations Vs. Not Violations
Use this chart as your first filter before you file.
| Situation | Usually Allowed? | Reportable? |
|---|---|---|
| Rude opinion about service or taste | Yes | No |
| Threats, slurs, or harassment | No | Yes |
| Private info (full names, addresses, phone numbers) | No | Yes |
| Competitor or employee posting a review | No | Yes |
| Ad copy, promo codes, or solicitation | No | Yes |
| Experience at a different place or no visit at all | No | Yes |
| Photo of receipt with card digits visible | No | Yes |
| Hard claim that can’t be verified either way | Often | Maybe |
Reporting Yelp Reviews — Steps That Work
The flag lives in the same place on desktop and app. The path is tidy, and you only need a minute to file.
Step 1: Find The Post
Open your business page or the reviewer’s profile and scroll to the item you want to report. You’ll see a three-dot menu on the right side of the review.
Step 2: Use The Three-Dot Menu
Click the menu and pick “Report review.” On mobile, tap the same icon near the bottom of the card. If you’re reporting a business owner comment instead of a customer post, switch to the full site on a computer to file the report from there.
Step 3: Pick The Reason
Choose the closest reason from the list (hate speech, private info, conflict of interest, promotional content, and so on). If it’s about safety or doxxing, pick the strongest rule match you see.
Step 4: Add Context That Helps
Short beats long. Give dates, receipts, or logs when you have them. Name the rule the post breaks. If the reviewer never visited, say how you know. If the review targets the wrong location, cite the address that appears in the text and show the mismatch.
What To Write In Your Report
Moderators scan for clarity and proof. Your note doesn’t need flair; it needs facts. Use this format to save time and lift your odds.
Template You Can Copy
“This post contains private data: full phone number and home address. See lines 2 and 3. Please remove or redact under the privacy rule.”
“Reviewer is the owner of a competing shop two blocks away (public listing attached). This matches the conflict-of-interest rule.”
“The photo shows a card number. Privacy rule applies. Please blur or remove.”
Proof Sources That Help
- Stubs, work orders, booking IDs, or public filings that back up dates.
- Links to public listings showing a tie to a rival or employee badge.
- Screens that show the wrong branch or city named in the post.
What Happens After You Flag
A human team checks the post against written rules. If the post breaks a rule, it gets pulled. If it’s a close call, the post stays up. You might not get a long note back; the action on the page is the signal. That can be removal, a visible edit (redaction), or no change.
How Long It Can Take
Turnaround varies. Time of day, volume, and severity all play a part. Safety issues move faster than mild rule nicks. If the post stays up and you still see a rule break, you can file again with tighter proof.
What If The Review Is False But Not A Rule Break
False and removable are not the same thing. If a claim can’t be proven either way, the post can stay. In that case, write a short public reply that shares your side, sets facts straight, and invites an offline chat. Keep names and private data out of the reply.
Write Replies That Calm The Room
Even when a post is report-worthy, a reply can steady the page while your report is pending. Aim for light, direct, and solution-first. Readers skim review pages; they notice tone and next steps more than long speeches.
Reply Outline That Works
- Thank the person for the note.
- State one fact that addresses the core claim.
- Offer a simple next step (call, email, refund path, redo).
- Skip blame; stick to actions.
When A Post Crosses Legal Lines
If you see clear defamation, blackmail, or threats, save copies. Screens with timestamps help. You can seek legal advice, yet a fast report on the platform often solves the page-level issue first. Keep the tone plain in both places. Don’t mirror threats with counter-threats in public replies.
Rules You Can Cite In Your Report
It helps to name the rule category in your note. That makes triage easier on the review team and keeps your report from reading like a general complaint. Below is a condensed list of labels that map to common rule buckets.
Rule Labels To Use
- Privacy: full names, personal phone or home address, card numbers, health data.
- Harassment/Hate: slurs, threats, or calls to harm.
- Conflicts: rivals, owners, staff, paid promoters.
- Relevance: no visit, wrong location, different business.
- Promotions: ads, coupons, referral codes.
- Fraud: fake jobs, fake events, or staged posts.
Two Smart Links To Keep Handy
Yelp publishes rule pages and step-by-step flow for flagging. If you want the source text, read the Content Guidelines and the official report a review steps. These pages match the process described above and are kept current by the platform.
Prep Your Evidence Before You Click “Report”
A quick checklist cuts back-and-forth and lifts your odds on the first pass. Pull these items into a folder, then file.
Proof Checklist
- Screenshot of the full post with the date and the review URL.
- Receipt scan or booking ID that shows the real visit date (or lack of visit).
- Public link tying the reviewer to a rival or to your staff.
- Photo metadata if the image shows a different place or old date.
Responding While You Wait
If the post is live, new readers will still see it. A short reply can frame your side without pouring fuel on the fire. Keep it tidy.
Sample Public Reply
“Thanks for the feedback. We checked the order log for 8/12 and couldn’t find a match. Please send the booking ID to care@yourbrand.com so we can sort this out today.”
This tone shows care, shares a check you ran, and gives a path to a fix. It also avoids private data and sticks to verifiable steps.
Common Mistakes That Sink Reports
- Emotion-first notes: long rants bury the point. Lead with the rule label.
- No proof: claims without receipts or logs read like a dispute, not a rule break.
- Wrong category: pick the closest rule; “misc” gets less traction.
- Copy-paste spam: filing the same wall of text across many posts looks noisy.
- Public fights: heated back-and-forth turns readers off and won’t help your case.
What If The Reviewer Removes It
Authors can delete their own posts. A calm message sent through the platform can nudge that outcome. Keep it short, skip blame, and offer a fix. If they agree and remove it, you’re done. If not, your report still stands.
Outcomes You Can Expect
You’ll usually see one of three outcomes. Use the table to plan next steps.
| Outcome | What You’ll See | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Removed | Post disappears or shows a note about removal | No action needed; save your records |
| Redacted | Private data blurred or cut | Check for lingering issues; refile if needed |
| Stays Up | No change | Reply calmly; gather stronger proof and refile |
Why This Matters Beyond One Review
Clean pages help buyers, staff, and searchers. A tidy process builds trust with readers who skim reviews before they book. Clear rules also keep fake posts out of sight and reward real feedback that helps you improve.
Bonus Tips That Save Time
- Keep a logs folder: drop receipts, job IDs, and call notes in one place.
- Teach the team: show staff where the three-dot menu lives and who should file.
- Use calm templates: save two short reply drafts for common issues.
- Don’t dox: never post private data in replies, even if it appears in the review.
When To Refile Or Escalate
If a high-risk post stays up (threats, slurs, private data), file again with better proof. Add fresh screens and a tighter rule label. If you see a wave of fake posts, gather a list of links in one note to show a pattern. Clear, grouped proof helps reviewers see the scope fast.
Recap: A Clean, Repeatable Playbook
- Match the post to a rule. If it’s only opinion, plan a calm reply.
- Hit the three dots, pick the reason, and send short, proof-backed notes.
- Watch for removal, redaction, or no change. Adjust your next step.
- Use public replies to steady readers without sharing private data.