Yes, you can hide Facebook Page reviews by turning off Recommendations; single reviews stay unless they break Meta’s rules.
If you manage a business profile on Facebook, you’ve seen how ratings and feedback shape trust. The good news: you can switch off the Reviews/Recommendations feature to hide star ratings and past feedback. The catch: you can’t cherry-pick a single bad take and make it vanish unless it violates policy and gets removed by Meta after you report it. That’s the line you need to work with, so this guide lays out clear options, steps, and smart response playbooks that protect your brand and keep you compliant.
What “Turning Off Reviews” Really Means
On Facebook, customer feedback appears under Ratings and Reviews (previously called Recommendations). When you disable that feature, the rating, past feedback, and the ability to post new feedback are hidden from public view. You can enable it later if you change course. Meta outlines this switch in its help docs for business profiles and in Business Suite controls. For reference, see the official “Turn Recommendations on or off for your business Page” article and the Business Suite “Ratings and reviews” toggle pages from Meta’s help center. To keep this guide tidy, the exact steps are listed below with plain wording, plus direct links where helpful.
Why You Might Turn The Feature Off
- A smear campaign or spam wave pushes false feedback.
- Operational changes (new owner, new menu, new service model) make old feedback misleading for a while.
- You need breathing room to fix service gaps without fresh reviews rolling in.
Your Options At A Glance
Pick the path that matches your situation. The table below shows each action, what users will see, and where to control it.
| Action | What Changes Publicly | Where To Do It |
|---|---|---|
| Turn Off Recommendations | Hides ratings, past feedback, and the write-a-review option | Meta Business Suite > All tools > Ratings and reviews > Toggle “Show ratings and reviews” off (Business Suite steps) |
| Report A Specific Review | Meta reviews the post; if it breaks rules, they remove it | Open the review > Options > Report post (Report a review) |
| Reply Professionally | Readers see your side, resolution, or invite to DM | Reply under the review in your Page interface |
| Collect Fresh Feedback | New satisfied customers balance older posts | Ask for feedback via links, QR codes, receipts |
Can You Remove Reviews From A Facebook Business Page — What’s Allowed
Single reviews can’t be manually deleted by the Page. Meta will only remove a review if it breaks platform rules (spam, hate speech, threats, or other policy issues). You can hide the entire feature by switching off Recommendations, but that action hides the good with the bad. Meta’s official guidance states you can turn Recommendations on or off in Page settings, and it confirms that only Pages with Recommendations enabled show ratings in the first place. See Meta’s help articles on turning Recommendations off and on and the explainer on how ratings display once at least five reviews exist (turn Recommendations on/off, rating display rules).
Common Misunderstandings
- “I can delete one bad review.” Not directly. You can report it if it breaks rules.
- “If I hide the feature, old feedback still helps my rating.” Once hidden, the rating and feedback disappear from public view until you enable it again.
- “I can turn off the Reviews tab from tabs and sections and keep ratings.” If you’re using the classic layout, some sections can be hidden in Templates and Tabs, but Ratings still hinge on the Recommendations setting. Use the Business Suite toggle for a clean, predictable result.
Exact Steps To Hide Reviews Using Business Suite
Meta keeps updating layouts, but the Business Suite path stays close to this flow:
- Open Meta Business Suite on desktop.
- Click All tools in the left menu.
- Select Ratings and reviews.
- Turn off the toggle next to Show ratings and reviews. Your Page will no longer display the star rating or past feedback to the public (toggle location in Business Suite).
Alternate Path In Classic Layouts
Some admins still see older menus. In that case, open Page settings, head to Templates and Tabs, and control availability of the Reviews section there. Not all sections can be removed in every layout, so expect some limits in classic views. For reference, see Meta’s “Manage tabs and sections” page (manage tabs and sections).
When You Should Keep Reviews Visible
Organic feedback helps buyers short-list you. A steady stream of honest, recent posts with thoughtful replies can outperform a perfect 5.0 with no conversation. If your rating dips after a rough patch, a clear course-correction and strong replies can win trust. Many readers skim responses as much as the feedback itself. Consistent, human replies with dates and specifics show you’re engaged.
Signal Trust With Smart Replies
- Own the fix. Name the step you took. Keep it short. Invite the reviewer to DM for details.
- Match tone to the post. Calm wording calms readers.
- Protect privacy. Move order numbers, photos, or receipts to private messages.
How To Report A Review That Breaks Rules
If a post includes hate speech, threats, private data, spam, or other violations, report it. Open the review, tap the three dots, choose Report post, and follow the prompts. Meta will review and remove it if it violates the platform’s standards (report a review; also see report a business review).
What To Expect After Reporting
- You’ll get a decision in the support inbox attached to your profile or Page tools.
- If the post breaks rules, it’s removed. If not, it stays.
- You can still reply under the review to offer context and a resolution.
Pros And Cons Of Hiding All Reviews
Turning the feature off is a blunt instrument. Use it with intent. Here’s a balanced view to help you decide.
Upsides
- Stops a flood of spam or trolling.
- Buys time during major changes or a rebrand.
- Prevents a single viral incident from defining your rating.
Trade-Offs
- Removes positive social proof that helps new shoppers pick you.
- Hides helpful stories from loyal customers.
- Can raise questions if a rival still shows a strong rating.
A Clean Reputation Workflow You Can Stick To
This flow keeps things steady on busy weeks and crisis weeks alike.
- Weekly scan. Check new feedback. Tag issues by theme: speed, quality, billing, expectations.
- Same-day replies. Thank positive posts. For friction points, show one fix or a direct line to help.
- Policy check. If a post looks abusive or spammy, report it using the platform tools linked above.
- Ask for balance. Share a short review link with happy buyers. A QR on receipts or an after-service text helps.
- Measure. Track rating trend, reply time, and resolution rate in a simple sheet.
When To Turn Feedback Back On
If you hid Recommendations during a spike, set a checkpoint after your fixes land. Look for three signals before switching the feature back:
- Service metrics are back in range (wait times, remake rates, return rates).
- Staff can reply in under one business day.
- Recent customer surveys or follow-ups show clear wins.
Short, Real-World Response Templates
Use these lines as a starting point. Keep names, order numbers, and private details out of public replies.
| Situation | Goal | Reply Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Service delay post | Acknowledge and show fix | “Thanks for flagging. We added a second prep line this week. Send us a DM and we’ll make this right.” |
| Quality complaint | Offer remedy without blame | “Not the standard we promise. We have a fresh replacement for you. Message us so we can set pickup or refund.” |
| Great experience | Show gratitude, add detail | “Appreciate the shout-out, Mia. We’ll pass this to Jordan on the front desk. See you next week.” |
| Wrong-business post | Correct politely | “Looks like this relates to another brand with a similar name. We’ve asked the poster to DM so we can help redirect.” |
| Spam or abuse | Report, stay calm | “We’ve flagged this to Meta. Our team is available by DM for real service issues.” |
Policy Links Worth Saving
Two official pages come up often while managing feedback. First, Meta’s help article explaining how to switch Recommendations on or off for a business profile. Second, the page that walks through reporting an individual review. Link them in your ops docs so the team can act fast during a spike: turn Recommendations on/off (Meta) and report a review (Meta).
Quick Troubleshooting For Layout Changes
Meta rolls out design updates often, and menu labels shift. If you can’t see Ratings and Reviews in Business Suite, check if you’re viewing the right profile, confirm your Page access level, and try desktop. If you’re on a classic layout, manage sections under Templates and Tabs; some sections may be locked. If the controls still don’t appear, search the Meta help center for the latest steps using the terms “Ratings and reviews” and “Recommendations.”
A Practical Takeaway
You can hide the full feedback module with one switch. Single posts stick unless they cross a line and get removed after a report. Most brands win more trust by keeping feedback visible, fixing root causes, replying fast, and asking happy buyers to share fresh experiences. Use the off switch when you truly need a pause, then bring it back once your service feels steady again.