No, you can’t delete others’ Amazon reviews; you can report policy-breaking reviews and ask moderation to remove them.
Shoppers trust ratings, and sellers rely on them. Still, ugly comments appear, and sometimes they cross the line. This guide shows what you can and can’t do, the exact steps to flag rule-breaking posts, and smarter ways to respond when a review stays up.
Removing An Amazon Review — Rules That Matter
Only Amazon can take down a customer review that another person wrote. Deletion happens when content breaks house rules, not because a brand dislikes the tone or star count. That means opinionated, harsh, or off-topic remarks usually stay up unless they breach clear lines such as profanity, hate speech, doxxing, requests for payment, or review trading.
Fast Test: Does This Review Break A Rule?
Scan the text for clear violations first. You’re looking for posts that attack a person, share private data, or admit incentives. Also watch for reviews that are about a different product, or ones that mention shipping or seller service on a product page where that content belongs in seller feedback instead.
What Amazon Removes Versus What Stays
| Situation | Typical Examples | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Clear abuse or hate | Slurs, threats, explicit insults | Removed when reported |
| Private info | Phone numbers, full addresses, emails | Removed when reported |
| Incentivized content | “I got a gift card for this post” | Removed; accounts can be penalized |
| Wrong product | Review describes a different item or model | Often removed; may be moved |
| Seller or shipping rants | Late delivery, packaging issues on a product page | Usually stays; ask to move to seller feedback |
| Harsh but valid opinion | “Broke after a week, waste of money” | Stays |
| Star-only rating | Stars with no text | Stays |
How To Flag A Rule-Breaking Review
You don’t need a special tool to start. Every review has a small link that lets you file a report. Submit once per review with a short, factual note. Over-submitting the same item won’t speed things up.
Step-By-Step On The Product Page
- Open the product page and scroll to the review.
- Select the “Report abuse” link under the review.
- Pick the reason that matches the issue.
- In the text box, supply a line or two with specifics: quote the offending phrase, point to the mismatch, or state the incentive claim.
- Submit. Keep a simple log with date, ASIN, review URL, star rating, and the reason you chose.
Where The Official Rules Live
Amazon explains what’s allowed and what isn’t in its public help pages. The best starting points are the guidelines for reviews and the anti-manipulation policy. Both pages spell out bans on incentives, harassment, and other tactics.
Seller Tools That Help (And Their Limits)
Sellers in Brand Registry get a dashboard that aggregates product ratings and lets brand reps respond. That page is handy for tracking trends and spotting spikes in low stars tied to an issue such as a batch defect or confusing instructions. It won’t let you remove a third-party review, but it keeps responses tidy and on brand.
When A Review Belongs In Seller Feedback
Many one-star posts rant about delivery speed or a missing part, which is seller service, not product quality. On a product page, that content lands in the wrong place. In your report, say: “This comment is about shipping and belongs in seller feedback, not a product review.” Include order IDs only if you’re the seller and can cite them without exposing private data.
Use Data To See Patterns
Pull a weekly CSV of ratings, bucket by product options, and note the first mentions of a new defect. If 80% of the low stars mention a single fault, the fastest path to better ratings is a fix—patch a manual, update a photo, swap a part—then reply to recent posts with a simple apology and the fix steps.
How Long Does Removal Take?
There’s no set timer. Some reports resolve in hours; others can sit for days. Don’t spam the same link. If nothing changes after a while, you can send a concise note through the email listed on the guidelines page. Keep the message short and reference the exact URL.
Sample Follow-Up Email
Subject: Request for review moderation
Body: “Hello, this review on ASIN B0XXXXXX includes a direct incentive claim: ‘The seller gave me a voucher for a five-star review.’ This breaks the posted rules on incentives. Please review and remove if you agree.”
What Shoppers Can Do With Their Own Posts
If you posted a review and want to change it, you can edit or delete your own text from your profile. That includes star-only ratings and reviews left through the app. This option doesn’t apply to comments left by others.
Steps To Edit Or Delete Your Own Text
- Open Your Profile.
- Find the post under the activity section.
- Select Edit or Delete.
Smart Responses When A Review Stays Up
Many posts won’t meet the bar for removal. A steady, human reply can still turn the page. The aim is simple: solve the buyer’s problem and show future buyers that you care about outcomes, not arguments.
Template Replies You Can Adapt
- Defect or breakage: “Sorry this failed. We’ve updated the part. We’ll send a replacement today or refund your order—your choice.”
- Confusing setup: “Thanks for flagging the setup pain. We added a one-page quick start and a short video. Want the PDF?”
- Wrong item or variant: “That sounds like a mix-up. We can replace it fast. Message us through Your Orders so we can verify details.”
- Price complaint: “Pricing can vary by color and size. If your order was placed within the price-match window, we’ll adjust.”
Write Replies That Win Trust
Keep it short. Lead with care, not blame. Offer one clear next step. Close with a name, not a script. Then fix the root cause so the same complaint fades over time.
Common Misunderstandings
“Low Stars Mean The Review Is Fake.”
Star count alone doesn’t prove anything. A post can be rude and still be allowed. To qualify for removal, it needs a rule break that you can point to with a clear line from the page.
“Seller Help Can Delete Reviews.”
Front-line agents can’t purge product reviews on request. They will point you back to the report link or the email listed on the policy page.
“Legal Threats Make It Go Away.”
Threatening a buyer is risky and can lead to penalties. If a post looks defamatory, gather facts and speak with counsel outside the Amazon system. For in-platform action, stick to the report link and a measured reply.
What Counts As Manipulation
Any attempt to buy, sell, or barter for ratings is banned. That includes rebates tied to stars, review swaps with other brands, using staff or family to post, or pushing buyers to change a post in exchange for a gift. Amazon runs sweeps for these patterns and can block accounts that take part.
Prevent Headaches With Clean Requests
You can ask for feedback, but keep it neutral. Don’t steer buyers to five stars or ask for edits. A safe line is: “If this helped, please share your experience in a review.” Keep any coupons or freebies completely separate from review asks.
Proof You Should Save Before You Report
Good reports are short and specific. Still, keep a small folder with evidence in case a second look is needed. Save a screenshot of the text, the review URL, and the date you submitted the file. If the post mentions order numbers or private data, blur those details before you share the image with any third party. Inside your own team’s folder, you can keep the unedited shot for internal tracking.
Evidence Checklist For Faster Decisions
- Full screenshot of the review with date stamp.
- Direct link to the review (not just the product page).
- One-line reason that maps to a policy point.
- Short quote of the exact offending words.
- ASIN and variant details if the mismatch involves a model.
Realistic Timeline And Outcomes
Flagging a post doesn’t guarantee removal. Expect mixed outcomes: clear abuse comes down fast, gray areas linger, and fair but negative opinions remain. Plan for that by building a cadence of fixes, replies, and follow-ups that show you’re listening.
Practical Expectations Cheat Sheet
| Scenario | Likely Outcome | What You Do Next |
|---|---|---|
| Incentive admitted in text | High chance of takedown | Report once; save a screenshot |
| Personal data posted | High chance of takedown | Report; ask for redaction if partial |
| Wrong product reviewed | Medium chance of takedown | Report; reference model mismatch |
| Seller or shipping rant | Low chance of takedown | Reply; request move to seller feedback |
| Harsh opinion only | Stays live | Reply with fix or refund |
| Star-only rating | Stays live | Improve product page to raise clarity |
Page And Product Tweaks That Reduce Low Stars
Many low ratings trace back to confusion, not failure. Clearer photos, a size chart that matches real units, and a short setup card can turn a wave of twos and threes into fours. Add an image that shows scale next to a common object. Place warnings in the first two bullets if misuse can cause breakage. If a part can wear down fast, sell a small spare kit and link it in the A+ section so buyers aren’t stuck.
Simple Playbook For Ongoing Health
- Review new posts twice a week and tag common themes.
- Reply to recent low stars with one step to make things right.
- Ship a fix (manual tweak, part change), then note the date.
- Update photos once the fix goes live so buyers see it.
- Track the ratio of four-plus stars month over month.
Ethics, Laws, And Platform Risk
Fake review schemes bring large penalties and can wreck an account. The safest posture is simple: never pay for feedback, never ask buyers to change stars in exchange for goods, and never post from inside your team. Build trust through better products and honest service, not ratings games.
Bottom Line For Sellers And Shoppers
You can’t erase another person’s words on demand. You can flag rule breaks, send a tight follow-up, and reply in a way that wins trust. Most wins come from product fixes, clear photos, tighter manuals, and fast make-rights—not from chasing takedowns. Treat ratings as a feedback loop, and let policy do the heavy lifting when a post crosses the line.