Bark is committed to ensuring all reviews on our platform are genuine, trustworthy, and helpful. The integrity of our review system is fundamental to creating a trusted marketplace where customers can make informed decisions.
What is a banned review?
A review is considered banned if it falls into any of the following categories:
| Type | Definition |
| Fake reviews | Reviews that don't reflect a genuine experience — including reviews posted by the seller themselves, by people who haven't interacted with the seller, or content generated by bots |
| Concealed incentivised reviews | Reviews commissioned in exchange for money, discounts, or free products, where the incentive isn't disclosed |
| Prohibited content | Reviews containing offensive or abusive language, hate speech, personal data, spam, or promotional content |
Incentivised reviews
Professionals may not pay or otherwise incentivise users to submit reviews. This includes vouchers, discounts, refunds, or any other benefit in exchange for a review. External reviews that have been incentivised are also not permitted on your profile.
How we detect and prevent banned reviews
| Measure | How it works |
| Interaction verification | Only buyers with a confirmed interaction through Bark can leave a review |
| Spam filters | Automated filters check submitted reviews for prohibited or suspicious content |
| Third-party verification | For imported Google reviews, sellers must link their verified Google Business Profile |
| Monitoring reported reviews | We actively monitor the report function to identify abuse |
How to report a review
Any user can report a review they believe violates this policy using the site's report function. Once reported, our Customer Experience team will assess whether the report is valid and take action where needed.
What happens if you violate this policy
Sellers who post, solicit, or benefit from banned reviews may receive a warning, a suspension, or a permanent ban. Bark reserves the right to escalate sanctions for severe or systematic violations, including fraud or threats.
Appeals
If a sanction has been applied to your account, you have the right to appeal within 30 days by replying to the sanction notification email. Include a detailed version of events and any supporting evidence.
Appeals are reviewed by the Reputation and Complaints Specialist, who will make a final decision. If you've been suspended indefinitely, your account will remain inaccessible during the appeal process.
Reviews vs complaints
Reviews are intended for publication and may not be reviewed individually by our team. If you have a genuine complaint about a professional, please submit it via our complaints form. We'll investigate and decide on the appropriate action.
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