Rating & Reviews Policy

Effective Date: July 22, 2025
Last Updated: July 22, 2025

1. Introduction

This Rating & Reviews Policy ("Policy") governs the display, management, and moderation of ratings and reviews on websites operated by our clients. This includes both reviews submitted directly through our platforms and third-party reviews displayed from external platforms such as Google Reviews, Yelp, Facebook, and other review aggregators. By interacting with reviews on our sites, you agree to comply with this Policy and our Terms of Service.

2. Types of Reviews Covered

This Policy applies to:

Direct Reviews: Reviews submitted directly through our website's review system
Third-Party Reviews: Reviews from external platforms (Google, Yelp, Facebook, etc.) displayed on our website
Aggregated Ratings: Combined ratings and review counts from multiple sources

3. Third-Party Review Display

3.1 Integration

We may display reviews from third-party platforms including but not limited to:

Google Reviews
Yelp
Facebook Reviews
Industry-specific review platforms
Other verified review sources

3.2 Third-Party Terms

Reviews from external platforms are subject to those platforms' respective terms of service and policies in addition to this Policy.

3.3 Display Practices

We commit to:

Displaying third-party reviews authentically without modification
Not selectively filtering positive or negative reviews
Clearly identifying the source of each review
Updating third-party reviews regularly

4. Direct Review Submission Guidelines

4.1 Eligibility

To submit a review directly on our platform, you must:

Be at least 18 years of age or the age of majority in your jurisdiction
Have firsthand experience with the product, service, or business being reviewed
Not be affiliated with competitors of the reviewed entity
Comply with all applicable laws and regulations

4.2 Content Standards

Reviews should be:

Honest, fair, and factual
Relevant to the product or service
Constructive and helpful to other users
Written in a respectful and professional manner
Free from offensive or inappropriate language

5. Prohibited Content

The following content is strictly prohibited in direct submissions:

False, misleading, or fraudulent information
Defamatory, libelous, or slanderous statements
Obscene, profane, or vulgar language
Hate speech or discriminatory content
Personal attacks or harassment
Spam or promotional content
Personal information of others (names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.)
Copyrighted material without authorization
Content that violates any applicable laws
Reviews in exchange for compensation or incentives (unless disclosed)
Multiple reviews from the same person or coordinated review campaigns

6. Review Moderation Process

6.1 Direct Reviews

All direct reviews are subject to screening before publication. We reserve the right to:

Approve or reject reviews based on compliance with this Policy
Edit reviews for spelling, grammar, or formatting (without changing meaning)
Remove reviews that violate this Policy
Delay publication for verification purposes

6.2 Third-Party Reviews

While we cannot moderate third-party reviews directly, we may:

Report policy violations to the originating platform
Temporarily hide reviews under legal investigation
Add context or responses to clarify misleading information

6.3 Response Time

We aim to review and publish compliant direct submissions within 3-5 business days.

7. Business Response Rights

Reviewed businesses may:

Respond publicly to reviews (both direct and third-party)
Flag reviews for policy violations
Request verification of reviewer identity (for direct reviews)
Submit appeals for review removal
Request updates to outdated information

8. Intellectual Property Rights

8.1 Direct Reviews

By submitting a review directly to our platform, you:

Grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, and display your review
Represent that you own or have the right to submit the content
Agree that your review may be used for marketing or promotional purposes

8.2 Third-Party Reviews

Third-party reviews remain subject to the intellectual property terms of their originating platforms.

9. Privacy and Data Protection

9.1 Information Collection

For direct reviews, we collect:

Name or username
Email address (not publicly displayed)
Review content and ratings
Date and time of submission
IP address for security purposes

9.2 Third-Party Data

We do not collect personal information from third-party review platforms beyond what is publicly displayed.

9.3 Information Use

Collected information is used to:

Publish and display reviews
Verify reviewer identity
Prevent fraud and abuse
Comply with legal obligations

10. Review Removal and Appeals

10.1 Grounds for Removal

Reviews may be removed or hidden if they:

Violate this Policy or applicable laws
Are subject to a valid legal complaint
Are proven to be fraudulent or fake
Contain outdated information that is no longer relevant
Violate third-party platform policies (for external reviews)

10.2 Appeal Process

To appeal a review decision:

Submit a written request to [email protected]
Include the review details and reason for appeal
Provide supporting documentation if applicable
Allow 5-7 business days for response

For third-party reviews, appeals must also be submitted to the originating platform.

11. Liability and Disclaimers

11.1 No Endorsement

Reviews represent individual user opinions and do not reflect our views or endorsements.

11.2 Accuracy

We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any reviews, whether direct or from third parties.

11.3 Third-Party Content

We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or availability of third-party reviews.

11.4 Limitation of Liability

We are not liable for:

Content posted by users or third-party platforms
Actions taken based on reviews
Disputes between users and reviewed entities
Loss or damage resulting from reviews
Changes to third-party review policies or availability

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the platform, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your violation of this Policy.

13. Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to modify this Policy at any time. Changes will be effective upon posting with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the review features constitutes acceptance of the modified Policy.

14. Enforcement

Violation of this Policy may result in:

Removal of reviews
Suspension or termination of account privileges
Legal action when appropriate
Reporting to relevant authorities
Notification to third-party platforms

15. Contact Information

For questions about this Policy or to report violations:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (319) 251-2076
Mailing Address:
Aelieve
221 E College St. Ste 300
Iowa City, IA 52240, USA

16. Governing Law

This Policy is governed by the laws of Iowa, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.

17. Accessibility

We are committed to making our review system accessible to all users. If you need assistance submitting or accessing reviews due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected].