Over the last decade the facial aesthetics industry has grown exponentially. The UK’s cosmetic surgery industry is worth £3.6 billion to the economy, and non-surgical treatments such as Botox and fillers represent 90% of cosmetic procedures. This puts the value of the aesthetics sector at around £2.75 billion. Complimentary online reviews are now a major way of generating business and cementing the reputation of a practice. But because treatments are so personal in nature, professional aesthetics practitioners always face the threat of unwarranted negative reviews by clients. Whether they appear online or in more traditional media, illegal and defamatory postings can fatally undermine even the most lucrative, professionally run aesthetics practice. At Nath Solicitors in London, we have extensive experience in reducing this type of threat through:
- Informal but effective negotiation with the individuals behind negative reviews
- Discussions with search engines like Google
- Tactical use of recognised legal remedies such as injunctions and claims for monetary damages
HOW TO REMOVE NEGATIVE GOOGLE REVIEWS ABOUT YOUR AESTHETICS BUSINESS
When faced with an unjustified online review about your aesthetics work it may seem daunting to take on a search engine or disgruntled customer to remove the content. For most aesthetics businesses however, doing nothing is rarely an option. As we’ve mentioned, letting negative comments about your business go unchallenged can prove hugely damaging – no matter how well established your business is or how good your reputation has been in the past.
The key thing to remember if you find that you are the victim of unjustified online comments is that there is a clear legal framework that provides you with effective remedies. As solicitors engaged day-to-day in this area of law we understand these rules and can quickly apply them to your particular circumstances and advise you of the best course of action.
IS THE ONLINE REVIEW DEFAMATORY?
It won’t be possible to remove every online review you take exception to. That said, even if there isn’t a legal case to remove a particular piece of online content we can help manage the situation to minimise any negative impact on your business.
Where an online review is untrue however and you can show that it has caused you serious harm (you have lost business as a result for example), then you could have various options open to you under the Defamation Act, 2013. In addition, we may be able to advise you on a claim for harassment and breach of your data privacy rights under GDPR and related legislation.
DOES THE REVIEW BREACH GOOGLE GUIDELINES?
Google has a comprehensive set of guidelines in relation to the content that appears in its search results. We regularly work in conjunction with Google to speedily remove online reviews that contravene these guidelines. When a review is submitted, the Google processes mean the content is automatically scrutinised to detect inappropriate content like fake reviews and spam. To comply with its legal obligations the search engine states that it may automatically remove such reviews. Google also undertakes not to accept content that is illegal or which ‘which infringes anyone else’s legal rights’.
CONTACT US
We act for professionals in aesthetics and related fields, and are involved frequently in the successful removal of negative and defamatory online reviews about aesthetics treatment. To discuss the issues we’ve raised please contact our director Shubha Nath at Nath Solicitors on 44 (0) 203 983 8278 or get in touch with the firm online.
