PM ETDuration: 1 HoursSpeaker: Curtis Boyd & Joy HawkinsWebinar Sponsor: GatherUp245 million fake reviews!That’s how many Google deleted last year—a 44% spike from the year before. The fake review problem is growing faster than most business owners realize, and it's putting reputations, revenue, and even livelihoods on the line.In this eye-opening webinar, Joy sits down with Curtis Boyd, one of the most respected voices in online reputation management, to unpack:-How fake reviews are created and spread-What Google (and other platforms) are doing to stop them-The shocking truth about “review jail” and hidden review blocks-And the real-world tactics you can use to defend your business todayYou’ll also see live audits of fake reviews, learn how to spot them before your customers do, and walk away with a clear strategy to build authentic, positive reviews that actually stick.Whether you're a small business owner, marketing professional, or just curious about how review platforms are being gamed—this session is for you.Don’t let your reputation be controlled by fake reviews. Learn how to fight back.▬ Chapters ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬0:00:00 Intro0:00:23 - The Prevalence of Fake Reviews0:00:30 - Google's Removal of Fake Reviews0:02:15 - Responding to Fake Reviews0:02:36 - The 3-Week Window0:07:27 - Reporting Fake Reviews0:08:43 - One-Star Ratings with No Text0:09:12 - Reporting Contributor Profiles0:19:24 - "A Google User" Reviews0:30:13 - ChatGPT and AI-Generated Reviews0:31:52 - Identifying Competitors Buying Reviews0:35:41 - Fighting Back Against Competitors Buying Reviews0:36:10 - Google "Sweeps"0:36:43 - Elbow Grease for Older Fakes0:37:38 - Impact of Losing Reviews0:38:46 - Reporting Review Gating0:41:09 - Suspensions for Buying Reviews0:41:51 - Review Blocks ("Review Jail")0:45:13 - Differentiating Real vs. Fake0:47:12 - Anonymous Profiles0:48:56 - Keywords in Review Replies0:54:21 - FTC and Review Gating0:55:32 - Review Recency as a Ranking Factor0:59:15 - Top Review Sites (Besides Google)01:00:11 - Impact of a Single Fake ReviewEP 25101

Intro

The Prevalence of Fake Reviews

Google’s Removal of Fake Reviews

Responding to Fake Reviews

The 3-Week Window

Reporting Fake Reviews

One-Star Ratings with No Text

Reporting Contributor Profiles

”A Google User” Reviews

ChatGPT and AI-Generated Reviews

Identifying Competitors Buying Reviews

Fighting Back Against Competitors Buying Reviews

Google ”Sweeps”

Elbow Grease for Older Fakes

Impact of Losing Reviews

Reporting Review Gating

Suspensions for Buying Reviews

Review Blocks (”Review Jail”)

Differentiating Real vs. Fake

Anonymous Profiles

Keywords in Review Replies

FTC and Review Gating

Review Recency as a Ranking Factor

Top Review Sites (Besides Google)

Impact of a Single Fake Review