As an advocate for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), I feel compelled to share a recent incident that has exposed Trustpilot’s unfair treatment of businesses like ours. Trustpilot, a well-known online review platform, has been caught red-handed in a controversy that raises serious concerns about their practices.
The issue came to light when I received an email from one of our clients, who happens to be the president of a bank. This client had submitted a review for our PR agency using his domain level email, reflecting his genuine experience with our services. However, Trustpilot deemed the review “fake” and removed it, even after the client reached out to them to confirm the review’s authenticity.
In a follow-up email exchange between the client and Trustpilot, the client asked for further instructions to rectify the situation. It seemed odd that Trustpilot would remove a legitimate review while allegedly allowing fake reviews from non-customers and competitors to remain on their site. This incident raises suspicions of potential “extortion” and unfair treatment of SMEs, particularly those without a paid Trustpilot membership.
This revelation has led to mounting frustration and a call for justice among SMEs, which form the backbone of our economy. Trustpilot’s actions cannot go unchallenged, and I call on fellow business owners, advocates, and consumers to stand with us in demanding justice and accountability.
Our PR agency is committed to assisting others in organizing a class action lawsuit against Trustpilot to hold the platform accountable for its potentially unfair practices. We firmly believe that this is a “Rosa Parks moment” for SMEs—a turning point where we collectively refuse to accept unjust treatment by Trustpilot any longer.
This situation serves as a warning to Trustpilot investors and CEO Peter Holten Muhlmann. The mounting dissatisfaction with the platform’s practices could lead to significant legal and financial consequences. The pursuit of justice by SMEs and their advocates will continue to intensify, putting Trustpilot’s reputation and future at stake.
An unfair burden to the economy and SMEs
In light of the current economic climate, with both the US and UK facing recession, businesses are grappling with numerous challenges to stay afloat and maintain their operations. In such trying times, the last thing these companies need is to experience parasitical behavior from platforms that may be perceived as engaging in extortion. Trustpilot, a well-known online review platform, has now been caught red-handed in a controversy that exposes their potentially unfair treatment of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). These SMEs are already struggling to navigate the uncertain economic landscape, and Trustpilot’s alleged practices could further harm their prospects. It is disheartening to see that instead of facilitating growth and fostering a fair marketplace, a platform that was designed to help consumers make informed decisions is allegedly engaging in questionable practices.
Trustpilot’s actions not only undermine the trust of consumers but also add undue burden on businesses that are already working tirelessly to overcome the challenges posed by the recession. As we collectively strive to rebuild our economies and support the SMEs that form the backbone of our society, it is crucial that we hold platforms like Trustpilot accountable and ensure that their behavior aligns with the principles of fairness, transparency, and integrity that they claim to uphold.
Starting class action lawsuits against Trustpilot:
For businesses that have experienced similar unfair treatment by Trustpilot and are considering taking legal action, starting a class action lawsuit could be a viable course of action. A class action lawsuit allows a group of individuals or entities who have suffered similar harm to collectively pursue legal claims against the defendant—in this case, Trustpilot. To initiate such a lawsuit, businesses should consult with experienced class action attorneys who can assess the merits of their case and guide them through the process. Sitetrail also has a list of lawyers in both the UK and US who are fed up of the abuse, ready to hold Trustpilot to account. By joining forces, businesses can pool their resources and present a united front against Trustpilot’s alleged unfair practices, holding the platform accountable and potentially bringing about changes that benefit the wider business community.
De-indexing of Trustpilot: An issue for regulators and Google
Now, the European Union and governments around the world will be lobbied and presented with the evidence to decide whether to deplatform Trustpilot in their countries. It is also a credible issue for the leadership of Google CEO Sundar Pichai to resolve: how much longer will he take to de-index Trustpilot who is clearly acting as a menace to businesses.
Together, we can make a difference and ensure that Trustpilot and other platforms treat SMEs with the fairness and respect they deserve. Sitetrail encourages law firms and their clients who are seeking additional participants for class action lawsuits to get in touch for support in publicizing their stories through the news. By working together, we can amplify the voices of those affected and help bring justice to the forefront.
