Guides / Review risk
Can I get sued for a bad review?
Who this is for
You had a bad experience with a business, you want to write an honest review, and you are worried about legal risk.
How to write a review that lowers your risk
- Write only what you experienced first-hand.
- State facts you can prove: dates, amounts, receipts, messages, photos.
- Mark opinions as opinions, for example "In my opinion, the work was poor."
- Leave out guesses about motives, accusations of crimes, and other people's stories.
- Keep copies of your evidence and of the review you posted.
- If you receive a demand letter or cease-and-desist letter, keep a copy, don't reply in anger, and talk to a licensed attorney in your state.
Key terms
Common questions
Is a negative review defamation?
Defamation generally requires a false statement of fact that harms someone's reputation. A review built on true, first-hand facts and labeled opinion is a very different thing. Laws vary by state.
Can a contract stop me from leaving a review?
The federal Consumer Review Fairness Act makes many form-contract clauses that ban or penalize honest reviews void. There are exceptions, so ask a licensed attorney about your specific contract.
What should I do if a business threatens to sue me?
Keep the message, don't respond in anger, and speak with a licensed attorney in your state before you reply. Go Postl cannot advise on your situation.
Will Go Postl defend me or keep my review up?
No. Go Postl is not a law firm, and this is not legal advice. It helps you draft an honest first-hand review that you post yourself. No one can promise a review stays up.
Go Postl is not a law firm, and this is not legal advice.