Need to remove an inappropriate social comment about yourself or your practice? Here's how to handle removal on Google, Facebook, and Yelp.
Posted in Articles on Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Negative comments and reviews are going to happen on social media—it's just part of working with the public. But when they cross a line, you can request their removal. It's important to note that none of these platforms will remove reviews simply because they are negative. Removal requests must be based on platform policies or legal grounds. Please contact legal counsel for specific guidance.
Google
- Find or sign into your Google Business Profile.
- Select Reviews.
- Find the review you want to report.
- Click the three dots to the right of the review and select “Report review.”
- Choose the reason for reporting.
- Submit the report and wait for Google’s response.
- Follow-up via Google Business support or legal removal request form.
Tip: Set Google alerts to automatically email you when a new page pops up with your alert text.
Facebook
- Go to your Facebook business page.
- Click on “Reviews” tab.
- Locate the review you want to report.
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner of the review and select ‘Report Post’.
- Choose the most appropriate reason for the report according to Facebook’s Community Standards (e.g., harassment, hate speech, false information).
- Submit the report and wait for Facebook’s review.
- For individual comments on posts, click the three dots next to the comment and select 'Hide comment' or 'Report comment'.
- Consider adjusting your page settings to moderate content, restrict comments, or temporarily disable reviews if necessary.
Note: Recommendations that only include a star rating cannot be reported.
Yelp
- Log in to your Yelp Business account. You may need to claim your business if you have not already done so.
- Go to the 'Reviews' section for your business.
- Find the review you want to report.
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner of the review and select 'Report Review'.
- Select the reason the review violates Yelp’s content guidelines (e.g. promotional content, conflict of interest, not firsthand experience).
- Submit the report and monitor your email for Yelp’s response.
Responding to Reviews
Healthcare providers must be cautious when responding to online reviews to avoid violating privacy laws.
Generally, it's inadvisable to respond online because it can escalate a situation and runs the risk of a privacy violation. Best practice is to attempt to address legitimate concerns privately. If you do elect to respond, never confirm that someone is a patient and do not disclose any health information.
If reviews are defamatory or damaging and not removed through standard reporting processes, please contact legal counsel.
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About the Author
Kari Hershey is a chiropractic defense attorney at Hershey Decker Drake and offers experienced and comprehensive legal representation to chiropractors for all aspects of their practice. Hershey Decker Drake regularly defends chiropractors in administrative and regulatory proceedings, in lawsuits, and on appeal.