Sites like ComplaintsBoard, Gripeo, and Ripoff Report were built to let consumers post complaints. In theory, that’s a good thing. But in practice, these “gripe sites” often publish one-sided or anonymous posts that hurt small businesses — and they rarely come down.
If your company has been listed on one of these sites, you’ve probably seen it show up in Google results. Maybe a competitor posted it. Maybe it’s fake. Maybe it’s an exaggerated review from years ago. Either way, it can scare off customers, investors, or even potential hires.
So what can you do about it? This guide explains your options, step by step.
Why Gripe Sites Are a Problem
Unlike review platforms like Trustpilot or Google, gripe sites have little or no moderation. Posts are usually anonymous. There’s no real verification. Anyone can submit a complaint, and most of these sites will publish it instantly — and forever.
Gripe sites also tend to rank high in search engines. They use aggressive SEO tactics, high-volume keywords, and “negative” content hooks that Google sometimes boosts.
For example:
- “Company XYZ scam”
- “Is Company XYZ legit?”
- “Company XYZ reviews – complaints and problems”
If someone Googles your business name and sees a page from Ripoff Report or ComplaintsBoard, they may click away — even if it’s not true.
According to BrightLocal, 84% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. A single gripe site listing can cause a measurable drop in leads, clicks, or sales.
Who Posts on Gripe Sites?
In many cases, it’s real customers who are frustrated and feel ignored. But in plenty of others, it’s:
- Ex-employees
- Competitors
- Bots or fake accounts
- SEO agencies posting “complaints” to sell clean-up services later
Some posts are genuine. Others are complete fiction. But all of them can affect your reputation if they appear near your brand name in search results.
Step-by-Step: What to Do If You’re Listed
Find Out What’s Out There
Search for your business on Google. Try variations of your name, plus keywords like:
- [your business] + “complaint”
- [your business] + “scam”
- [your business] + “ripoff report”
- [your business] + “reviews”
Note which gripe sites are showing up. Copy the URLs. Take screenshots of the pages. Save everything in a folder.
Set up Google Alerts for your brand name so you’ll know if something new is published.
Don’t Respond Publicly
Unlike with normal review platforms, you shouldn’t jump into the comment section on a gripe site. Many of these platforms are designed to bait you into responding, which can actually boost the visibility of the page in search.
A bad response won’t help, and it might make the post rank higher by adding more “fresh” content.
If you must respond, do it through your own platform — on your website or blog, where you can control the message and tone.
Try a Removal Request
Some sites like Gripeo or ComplaintsBoard offer a contact form or email address for removal requests. These almost never work unless:
- The post clearly violates their terms
- It includes private personal data
- There is a legal reason to remove it
Still, it’s worth checking the site’s terms of service and flagging anything that breaks them. For example, many platforms don’t allow hate speech, impersonation, or medical details.
Don’t expect a reply. Just send one clear message and move on if they don’t respond.
Can You Sue to Get It Taken Down?
Possibly — but it’s hard.
Most gripe sites are based in the United States and protected under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. That law says websites are not responsible for content posted by users.
Even if the post is false or damaging, you can’t sue the site directly. You’d have to sue the person who wrote it, which means identifying them, proving damages, and winning in court.
That takes time and money. It’s usually not realistic for small businesses.
So How Do You Actually Fix the Problem?
Suppression.
The best way to reduce the damage is to push the gripe site down in Google search results. This means publishing new, positive content that ranks higher than the complaint.
Here’s what to focus on:
- Optimised blog posts
- Press releases
- Customer testimonials
- Business profiles on high-authority platforms
- Videos or interviews featuring your brand
Make sure each piece uses your brand name in the title or headline. The goal is to crowd out the negative page so it no longer shows up on page one.
Ask for Reviews From Real Customers
A great way to build trust and bury old complaints is to fill Google and other review sites with authentic, positive feedback.
Send a simple message to happy clients:
“If you’ve had a good experience with us, it would mean a lot if you left a quick review on Google.”
No bribes. No fake reviews. Just real people sharing honest experiences.
Are Gripe Sites Legal in the UK?
Yes. Unfortunately.
Even though most of these sites are based in the US, they show up in UK search results and affect UK businesses.
The UK’s Defamation Act 2013 gives individuals and businesses the right to sue for libel, but only if:
- The statement causes serious financial harm
- The author can be identified
- The content is untrue and defamatory
But again, if the site doesn’t host the content (just publishes it), they’re often protected.
Some UK solicitors can file formal takedown notices, especially if the post includes:
- False accusations
- Harassment
- Misuse of personal data
- Trade libel or slander
In extreme cases, you can take legal action. But for most businesses, suppression is faster, cheaper, and more effective.
Best Tools and Services to Help
You don’t have to go it alone. Here are some tools and services that can help:
- Guaranteed Removals – Industry leader in removing or suppressing negative listings from gripe sites and search results
- Top Shelf Reputation – UK-based service that helps small businesses build and protect their search visibility
- Reputation Galaxy – Combines review generation, SEO support, and monitoring to keep your brand clean
These services focus on results, not promises. If suppression is the best option, they’ll build the content you need to push the bad stuff down.
Final Thoughts
Gripe sites are not going away anytime soon. They’re designed to be hard to deal with. But you don’t have to let one anonymous post control your online image.
Take the right steps:
- Don’t respond on their platform
- Don’t pay for removal unless it’s a reputable service
- Publish stronger, better content that pushes them down
- Stay alert and track your brand weekly
If things get worse, talk to a service like Guaranteed Removals that specialises in cleaning up high-ranking negative content.
You worked hard to build your business. Don’t let a gripe site undo it.
