FTC-Compliant Review Management for Local Businesses
The FTC Consumer Review Fairness Act makes it illegal to restrict customers from leaving honest reviews. ReviewShielder is built from the ground up to be fully compliant.
What Is the FTC Consumer Review Fairness Act?
Enacted in 2016, the Consumer Review Fairness Act protects consumers' right to post honest reviews online. It prohibits businesses from using form contracts that prevent or punish customers for leaving negative reviews. Violations can result in fines up to $50,120 per incident.
Why Star-Gating Is Illegal
Star-gating—the practice of showing customers a 1-5 rating screen and then routing satisfied customers to public review sites while directing unhappy ones to private feedback—is a form of sentiment screening that violates FTC regulations.
Illegal Practices
- ×Star-gating with sentiment-based routing
- ×Filtering negative reviews before they reach public platforms
- ×Using gag clauses in customer contracts
- ×Retaliating against negative reviewers
How ReviewShielder Ensures Compliance
- Simultaneous dual-action: Both paths shown with equal visual weight
- Zero sentiment screening or filtering
- No star rating or satisfaction gate before showing options
- Both paths presented identically in text size, contrast, and styling
The Business Advantage of Compliance
Compliant review collection protects you from fines and builds genuine trust. When issues arise, the private escalation path resolves them before they become negative public feedback.
Protect Your Business Today
Start collecting reviews the legal way with ReviewShielder.