Facebook Reviews Guide

Removing False Facebook Reviews

Facebook's recommendation system replaced traditional star reviews, but fake recommendations still hurt. Here's how to report them and get them removed.

How Facebook reviews work now

Facebook transitioned from a 5-star review system to a binary "Recommend" / "Don't Recommend" format in 2018. Users can still leave written feedback alongside their recommendation. Old star ratings remain visible, but all new submissions use the recommendation format.

This means a single false "Don't Recommend" with a negative comment can significantly impact your page's overall recommendation percentage.

What violates Facebook's Community Standards

Fake accounts — reviews from profiles that aren't real people
Spam — mass-posted reviews, bot-generated content, or reviews unrelated to a genuine experience
Harassment and bullying — content meant to intimidate, humiliate, or threaten
Hate speech — attacks based on protected characteristics
Violence and threats — content that threatens harm
False information — demonstrably false claims presented as fact
Intellectual property violations — stolen photos or content

Step-by-step: Report a Facebook review

Step 1: Go to your Business Page

Navigate to your Facebook Business Page. You need to be an admin, editor, or moderator of the page to report reviews.

Step 2: Find the review

Click on the Reviews or Recommendations tab on your page. Scroll to find the specific review you want to report.

Step 3: Report the recommendation

Click the three-dot menu on the review and select "Report Recommendation" or "Find Support or Report." Select the reason that best matches the violation.

Step 4: Provide context

Add any additional details that support your report. If the reviewer was never a customer, if the profile appears fake, or if you have evidence the claims are fabricated, include this information.

Step 5: Check your Support Inbox

Facebook sends decisions to your Support Inbox (found under Settings in your page). Check back within a few days to a week for their response.

The nuclear option: disabling reviews

If you're facing a coordinated attack or ongoing harassment through reviews, you can disable the Reviews tab entirely. Go to Page Settings, then Templates and Tabs, find Reviews, and toggle it off.

This is a last resort since it also hides your positive reviews and removes valuable social proof. Consider it temporary while you address the underlying issue.

Facebook-specific tips

Report the reviewer's profile separately if it appears to be a fake account — this is often more effective than reporting the review alone
If multiple fake accounts are posting at once, report it as coordinated inauthentic behavior through Facebook's support
Unlike Google and Yelp, Facebook allows you to respond to recommendations with comments, creating a visible dialogue
Screenshot everything before reporting — if the profile is removed, the review disappears with no record
Check if the reviewer's profile has a history of leaving similar negative reviews on other businesses

Frequently asked questions

How do I report a fake Facebook review?

Go to your Facebook Business Page, find the review under the Reviews or Recommendations tab, click the three-dot menu on the review, and select "Report Recommendation" or "Find Support or Report." Choose the appropriate reason and submit.

What is the difference between Facebook reviews and recommendations?

In 2018, Facebook replaced the traditional star-rating review system with a binary "Recommend" or "Don't Recommend" system. Users can still leave written feedback. Old star reviews remain visible but new submissions use the recommendation format.

Can I turn off Facebook reviews entirely?

Yes. Go to your Page Settings, select Templates and Tabs, find the Reviews tab, and toggle it off. This hides all reviews but also removes the social proof of positive ones. It's generally a last resort for dealing with coordinated attacks.

How long does Facebook take to respond to a review report?

Facebook typically reviews reports within a few days, though complex cases can take 1-2 weeks. You'll receive a notification in your Support Inbox with their decision.

What if Facebook doesn't remove a review I reported?

You can appeal the decision through your Support Inbox, report the reviewer's profile if it appears fake, or respond publicly to the review with your side of the story. For defamatory content, consult a lawyer about a legal request.