Can over-moderating harm your online reputation?

Faith Ocampo Published on August 24, 2016

close-up-pencil-eraser-on-paper

When you over-moderate user-generated content, you’re compromising your commitment to promote transparency and champion the voice of the customer.

There’s no denying that content moderation, a key part of reputation management, lets brands deliver high-quality content for their customers. It keeps digital environments safe and conducive for healthy conversations, and this works favorably for business organizations. Providing people a harm-free avenue for making themselves heard can build trust and bridge gaps between consumers and brands.
As a rule of thumb, there are three types of content that brands shouldn’t allow on their online platforms: scam, spam, and offensive posts. Some, however, overdo their job by removing negative customer reviews or by creating policies that are unnecessarily strict. Although they’re usually done to protect a brand’s online reputation, these practices can severely backfire.

surprised office employee taped mouth by laptop

So although some types of content can be a cause of worry, moderators need to find the balance between letting customers express themselves while still protecting the brand’s image. Excessive moderation can send the wrong message, especially in a marketplace that prizes the voice of the customer above everything else. Two things can happen when you over-moderate.

First, you stifle customers’ voice.

Brands that give customers the freedom to speak up are able to empower consumer communities. It’s one of the best ways to increase communication between companies and their target sectors. On the other hand, when organizations fail to listen to their customers’ views, especially the negative ones, they’ll most surely drive customers away.

Next, people trust you less.

The real challenge for brands is to build trust among skeptic consumers, and this goal is becoming increasingly elusive as more and more firms compete with one another. Promoting transparency is one way to prove that you’re trustworthy, but if you ignore or hide people’s online comments, this will be a long, uphill battle. For the most part, the enemy here is your unattainable desire to create a perfect online reputation.

 

How can you avoid over-moderating?

bearded office worker looking at folder of reports with magnifying lens

Letting negative customer reviews stay on your website or social media pages can indeed be risky, especially once they’re read by your prospects. The right thing to do, however, is to turn the bad publicity into an opportunity. Respond promptly to customers’ complaints and show them (and other users, too) that you’re working on giving them a better experience.
When it comes to other types of user-submitted content, implementing a consistent set of policies for content moderation is a big help. Having an established guide on how to deal with all types of content will streamline all moderation-related activities, saving you plenty of time and boosting your efficiency.
However, coming up with a single set of policies to be applied across your online channels can be tricky. Consumers may have different notions on what’s appropriate to share on the web. Also, some platforms may provide more leeway on the types of acceptable content.
When in doubt, remember that your policies must reflect your values as an organization. Your end goal should always be to listen to customers, give them equal amounts of opportunities to speak up, and build trust.

Join us on facebook
Open Access BPO 5 days ago
Open Access BPO recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Davao site, marking 10 years of operational excellence and continued partnership with global brands.

From its early beginnings, our Davao site has grown into a strategic hub for English-language back office support, our team of experts delivering reliable and high-quality solutions for critical business functions.

This milestone reflects our commitment to building sustainable partnerships and supporting clients as they scale and adapt to evolving business needs.

——————————
𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 #TeamOABPO Davao 𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘵 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘬 𝘉𝘶𝘬𝘪𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘳𝘮 & 𝘒𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 70𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘰-𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵.

#WeAreOABPO
#TeamOABPO
Open Access BPO 12 days ago
#TeamOABPO Davao marked #CustomerServiceWeek with a full week of engaging and fun activities. The celebrations brought everyone together through friendly competitions, shared meals, and moments that recognized the people who deliver excellent support to our clients every day.

It was a meaningful way to show appreciation for the teams who help us build lasting partnerships and deliver dependable customer experiences.

#OABPOCSWeek2025
#CSWeek2025 #MissionPossible
#CSWeek #WeAreOABPO
Open Access BPO 13 days ago
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗣𝗢 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗦 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱:
𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 #TeamOABPO, 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗲𝘀

We recently wrapped up another awesome #CSWeek filled with fun activities, laughter, and appreciation for our amazing #CustomerService teams!

From games and challenges to team bonding and well-deserved treats, the week was all about celebrating the people who make Open Access BPO shine every single day.

At the heart of everything we do is our people. Our success comes from their dedication, passion, and commitment to providing world-class service. That's why we're proud to be an employee-first company, where hard work is recognized, and everyone's contribution truly matters.

We had a blast celebrating our #CustomerServiceWeek champions, and we're already looking forward to making CS Week 2026 even bigger and better!

#OABPOCSWeek2025
#CSWeek2025 #MissionPossible
#WeAreOABPO
Open Access BPO 21 days ago
𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗣𝗢 𝗞𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

Open Access BPO launched its #CustomerServiceWeek 2025 celebration with an event honoring its #CustomerSupport teams.

This year's theme, Mission: Possible, celebrates how #TeamOABPO turns every #CustomerExperience challenge into success through skill, dedication, and teamwork.

A special highlight was a client video thanking employees for their commitment and excellence. Throughout the week, team members across all sites will enjoy themed games and activities leading up to a grand finale recognizing top performers.

#CSWeek remains one of Open Access BPO's most anticipated traditions, celebrating teamwork, recognition, and fun at work.

#CSWeek2025
#OABPOCSWeek2025
#WeAreOABPO #MissionPossible