Competition leaving bad reviews on our places page, what to do?

[adriandg]

I have flagged the reviews as not useful from multiple IPs.  I have attempted reporting the review as well.  Google does nothing.  It's very obvious that the review(s) are fake.  Often all the other reviews of the person's profile are for different cities and all 5 stars for businesses that they are most likely doing SEO work for.  Are (blackhat) SEOs using bad reviews as a technique to keep the competition out in your business/market? What did you do about it?

[sesertin]

Maybe you can try restricting those people from leaving review with a htaccess. If they are clever they can still get arounf the restriction but the have got a harder time to do so. I don' know how it can be done technically but maybe you can restrict someone with a given mac address, so that a given computer will never be able to access your page again. Ban profiles and forbid e-mail addresses in the cms. I haven't got any better advices, these are machine algorythms so they do not see the face of the commenter. They can ve identified due to their ip, computer or e-mail.

[KeriMorgret]

Zsolt, I believe the reviews are being left on the Google Places page, not on the website itself.

[sesertin]

Sorrry, I got it worng, than. No idea about google places

[First]

The best way to fight evil is with good. Focus your energy and efforts on getting / encouraging  your clients to leave positive reviews for your company.

[adriandg]

Thanks! we figured as much, and already have a positive review since this bad one.  I was just wondering if there was an easier fix

[adriandg]

Thanks! we figured as much, and already have a positive review since this bad one.  I was just wondering if there was an easier fix

[First]

In all my years doing local search marketing the only bad reviews I have been able to get removed on Google are those that include profanity or "inappropriate content"  and even those have required many email exchanges with Google.

Have you read this: http://www.google.com/support/places/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=187622

Also remember to make it easy for your clients to post review by placing you places link on email campaigns and social media profile pages.

Good luck!