Am I allowed to fake customer reviews in order to make my business look better?
April 30, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Greta Kleine
Dear competition lawyer,
I am Marcus Kaiser and the owner of a small business that sells products online. Lately, I have noticed that my competitors are publishing very good customer reviews on their websites and social media pages. This makes them appear much more serious and trustworthy to potential customers than my company.
I am now wondering if it is legally allowed to fake customer reviews in order to present my company in a better light. I am tempted to buy or write positive reviews myself to give the impression that my company is very popular and reliable. However, I am concerned that this may violate competition law and could have legal consequences.
My worry is that I may be breaking existing laws and that this could cause significant harm to my company. At the same time, I do not want to fall behind my competitors and deter potential customers by lacking positive reviews.
Could you please inform me whether it is legal to fake customer reviews to present my company in a better light, and what possible legal consequences this could have? Are there alternative ways to present my company in a positive way without violating competition law?
Thank you in advance for your help and legal advice.
Yours sincerely,
Marcus Kaiser
Dear Mr. Kaiser,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding customer reviews in relation to competition law. It is understandable that you are concerned about how to best present your company without violating applicable laws.
First and foremost, it is important to emphasize that fake customer reviews definitely violate competition law. Under German law, it is illegal to make misleading statements or mislead customers. This also applies to fake reviews that are intended to give the impression that your company is more popular or reliable than it actually is.
Therefore, if you buy or write positive reviews to enhance the image of your company, you risk facing legal consequences. These may include warnings from competitors, fines, or even damage claims. It is strongly advised against using fake customer reviews.
However, there are alternative ways to present your company in a positive light without violating competition law. One option is to actively request honest customer reviews. Encourage your satisfied customers to leave a review on your website or social media. Authentic customer opinions are often much more convincing and trustworthy than fake reviews.
You could also rely on other forms of social proof, such as certifications, awards, or test results that demonstrate the quality and reliability of your company. All of these are legal and effective ways to showcase your company positively and gain the trust of potential customers.
I hope this information helps you and provides you with clear guidelines on how to legally present your company. If you have any further questions or require more detailed advice, I am at your disposal.
Best regards,
Greta Kleine
Competition Law Attorney
