Not all online reviews are created equally. Yet, many choose a plastic surgeon based on reviews. As a doctor, you need to analyze and juggle the many components of your online reputation. You need to know how to analyze reviews of your competition. It’s important be knowledgeable about reviews so you can respond to patients questions. Follow these tips to spot fake online reviews and optimize your reputation.
Spotting Fake Online Reviews
Sadly, some reviews are fake. Friends or family may write glowing 5-star reviews. Or, an enemy may write a 1-star review. Try to prevent these actions in your reviews. If your competition is shining a little too brightly, look at their online reviews in a different light. Some ways to identify fake online reviews are:
- Fake reviewers don’t have details, so look for short reviews, vague details or only star ratings.
- Check for other reviews by the reviewer. It could be suspicious if there is none.
- Another suspect behavior is writing many reviews in a short timeframe.
- Some reviewers take exception with a product or procedure that they haven’t experienced. These fall into the “fake online reviews” category.
- Biased reviewers may have been compensated with gifts or free procedures, which can lead to invalid reviews.
- The review may have not been intended for you. Flag it as inappropriate and ask for removal. Google and other review sites will remove inappropriate reviews.
Follow Review Site Guidelines
While you want to ask patients for reviews, be careful that you follow the rules. Google’s review guidelines prohibit on-site reviews. If they identify that reviews are coming from the same IP address, all reviews from that address will be deleted. Different Google accounts don’t change a location-specific IP address. So never set up a kiosk in your plastic surgery or medical spa practice for Google reviews.
Don’t Help Create Online Reviews
However, some review sites don’t track IP addresses, so you can provide an on-site iPad or laptop for patients to write reviews. A good way to do this is to create a short URL that takes the patient to the Internet page to write a review. Avoid offering compensation for your reviews. In addition, don’t help patients write reviews. Every review should be authentic and in the patient’s own words.
Contact PUMC about our proven ways to optimize your online reputation. We are always adding ways to solicit reviews, highlight your best reviews and other ways to manage your online reputation. We can help work on eliminating fake online reviews. Let’s talk.