FAQs:

We get asked a lot of questions about how to handle reviews ethically, safely, and effectively. Below are the honest answers to the most common concerns we hear from business owners.

What makes ReviewLine Reputation different from review software platforms?

Most platforms focus on collecting more reviews. We focus on understanding what those reviews actually mean — and whether they put your business at risk.

ReviewLine Reputation is not a review generator or automation tool. We provide:

  • Pattern detection and sentiment analysis
  • Risk identification (gating, AI patterns, velocity issues)
  • Strategic guidance tailored to your business and industry

We work alongside your existing tools, not in place of them.

What if I'm already using a service or tool to manage my reviews?

That’s completely okay. Many of our clients already use review tools or platforms when they come to us.

ReviewLine Reputation does not replace your existing tools, and we never interfere with your accounts. Instead, we work alongside what you’re already using to ensure everything is being done ethically, safely, and in compliance with platform policies.

We follow a strict no-risk policy:

  • No review gating
  • No fake or purchased reviews
  • No review farms or manipulation
  • No unauthorized automation

Review gating occurs when a system filters customer feedback and only sends positive experiences to public platforms like Google, Yelp, or Meta platforms. While some software allows this, it is considered a violation of major platform policies and can put your entire online presence at risk.

Google, Yelp, and Meta actively monitor for these patterns and share enforcement signals. In many cases, it only takes one report or algorithmic flag for reviews to be removed or a profile to be penalized. The most common punishment for one report is complete removal of your review platforms. They do not issue "wrist slaps" because it also involves federal law.

Our role is to act as a protective layer for your business. Think of us as your insurance policy and your best friend with all the drama or tea about your business. 

You can continue using your tools — as long as they are configured to send all customer feedback, not just positive responses, and your team remains in control of when and how reviews are requested. We help guide that process so your reputation grows authentically and safely, without putting what you’ve already built at risk.

Can working with you lower my rating or hurt my Google profile?

No. ReviewLine Reputation is designed to protect your existing reputation, not disrupt it.

We never remove reviews, modify past feedback, or take control of your profiles. Your rating is influenced by customer behavior — not by our analysis or guidance.

Our approach focuses on:

  • Identifying patterns and risks before they become problems
  • Improving long-term review consistency and authenticity
  • Ensuring all actions remain compliant with platform policies

Nothing we do can trigger penalties or cause rating drops because we do not perform or automate review actions on your behalf.

If a package includes review generation guidance, all outreach is done by your team, using your existing processes. We do not send review requests, post reviews, or manipulate outcomes.

In the unlikely event a full reputation management takeover is requested, we follow strict internal safeguards:

  • Existing reviews are never removed or altered
  • Full management is only considered for long-standing clients with an established trust relationship
  • No responses or actions are published without your explicit review and approval

These rules exist to protect your reputation and ensure transparency at every step.

Ultimately, your rating is determined by your business practices, products, and customer experience — not by ReviewLine Reputation. Our role is to help you understand and protect what you’ve already built, without introducing risk.

While full management has not been requested to date, these safeguards are in place to ensure your reputation is never compromised.

Do you respond to reviews for my business?

Only if you ask us to — and only with your approval.

Many clients prefer to handle responses themselves, while others want help refining tone, language, or consistency. In those cases, we provide review response guidance or drafts, not automated posting.

You always remain in control of:

  • What gets posted
  • When it’s posted
  • Which platforms are used

There is no automation or posting without human review and consent.

Do you need access to my Google, Yelp, or Facebook accounts?

No. We do not require login access to your accounts.

All analysis is performed using publicly available data and client-provided context when needed. If optional access is ever requested for reporting purposes, it is limited, read-only, and clearly explained in advance.

Your accounts stay fully in your control at all times.

Is this compliant with Google, Yelp, and Facebook policies?

Yes. Compliance is a core part of how we operate.

We align our recommendations with publicly documented policies from:

  • Google Business Profile
  • Yelp
  • Meta (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)

Our services are intentionally designed to avoid:

  • Review gating
  • Incentivized or purchased reviews
  • Fake or manipulated feedback
  • Automated response behavior that appears inauthentic

If something presents risk, we tell you — and explain why.

Who is this service best for?

We service ALL business sizes from start-ups, mom and pop shops,  to large companies. There is no one size we value more, we want to help every business.

ReviewLine Reputation is best for businesses that generally have these values:

  • Already care about their reputation not just optics
  • Want sustainable growth, not shortcuts
  • Prefer ethical, compliant practices
  • Want insight and clarity, not just higher numbers

If you’re looking for instant rating manipulation or artificial growth, we are not the right fit — and that’s intentional.

If you are unsure where you stand in this category or you are on the bad road using unethical approaches, do not worry! We can help guide you to becoming compliant. Schedule your FREE Risk Assessment through a discovery call.

Still have a specific concern? 

Every business has a unique digital footprint. If you didn’t find your answer here, we can run a Free Reputation Risk Audit to identify potential review gating risks, compliance issues, or ranking gaps — no access required and no obligation.