What we won’t do
Many online reputation management firms apply very aggressive tactics that are illegal or cause more serious problems than the ones they resolve. Here is a list of what we don’t do:
Fake Reviews
This is in clear violation of federal trade commission rules. We do not write fake reviews. We get them removed for TOS violations, or ask reviewers to change their minds. We also have an outreach programs to help encourage your customers to vouch for you, adding real honest reviews in order to dilute and reduce the effect of negative reviews.
Hacking
This illegal activity is not something we recommend or practice. We don’t hack websites, period. Don’t ask! The best way to think about this is, if it is illegal for you and your staff to do it, then it is illegal for us to do it and you can be held liable for asking us to do it. Our entire process is explained here.
Criminal Corporations
We understand that fines and penalties and even convictions does not equate to an “malevolent corporation” intent on hurtful practices. History is litered with blue chip companies who have lost class action and criminal suits. But we do not represent members of crime syndicates or organized crime groups. We will research companies who approach us and decide on a case by case basis if we want to represent them.
Crimes
We look at each potential project and judge whether or not we want to represent the client. We do this on a case by case basis. The moral questions in reputation management are not always easy to reconcile but we have drawn some clear lines. We do not represent people who are in jail or have committed heinous crimes. We believe that when people have done their time, their debt to society has been paid but we do not to represent anyone who has physically hurt others, including animals. We also do not represent anyone who has been accused of communicating with minors with the intent of sexual harassment. In many cases, we ask that a judge exonerate a potential client who is accused of such transgressions.