> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bellabooking.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Reviews

> Collect verified client reviews with AI moderation and respond to feedback

## Overview

Client reviews help build trust with potential clients. Bella Booking includes a built-in review system where only clients who completed an appointment can leave a review — ensuring all feedback is genuine.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/bellabooking/mwnB-cztp0n0LVQy/images/reviews.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=mwnB-cztp0n0LVQy&q=85&s=dbcb46e37db837bdd29c932ab7b0af05" alt="Reviews list with verified clients, star ratings, AI-flagged low ratings, and inline response indicators" width="1440" height="900" data-path="images/reviews.webp" />
</Frame>

Reviews are available on the **Professional plan**.

***

## How reviews work

### For clients

1. **Complete an appointment** — only checked-out appointments are eligible
2. **Receive a review request** — sent automatically after checkout (or manually by your team)
3. **Leave a review** — rate 1–5 stars and optionally add written feedback
4. **Edit or delete** — clients can edit within 30 days or delete anytime

### For your business

1. **View reviews** in the Reviews section of your dashboard
2. **Respond publicly** — your response is visible on your booking page alongside the review
3. **Track your reputation** with average rating, review count, and rating distribution

***

## AI moderation

Every review with text is automatically checked by AI moderation before publishing:

* **Published immediately**: Clean reviews with honest feedback (including negative feedback)
* **Flagged for review**: Content with personal attacks, hate speech, spam, profanity, fake reviews, or policy violations

Flagged reviews are held for platform review. Your business cannot hide or delete reviews — this ensures review integrity and builds client trust.

### What gets flagged

| Flagged                        | Not Flagged                              |
| ------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------- |
| Personal attacks or threats    | Honest negative feedback                 |
| Hate speech or discrimination  | Strong criticism of service              |
| Spam or advertising            | Short reviews ("Great!")                 |
| Profanity-heavy content        | Emoji-heavy reviews                      |
| Fake or incentivised reviews   | Complaints about wait times              |
| PII (phone numbers, addresses) | Reviews mentioning specific team members |

***

## Review requests

Review requests invite a client to leave a review after their appointment is checked out. They can go out automatically, or you can send one on demand:

* **Automatic**: Configured in Settings → Automated messages → Review request. Sent on your chosen channel (SMS, email, or both) after a configurable delay (default: 2 hours).
* **Manual**: Send from the appointment — the **Review request** card on the **Notifications** tab, or **Send Review request** in the appointment's three-dot menu on the Appointments list.

A **manual send works even if the automated Review request is switched off** — it goes out by email, immediately, so you can request a review from selected clients without turning automatic requests on for everyone. The client needs an email address and email notifications enabled.

<Tip>
  Review requests use neutral wording with no incentives, complying with FTC and
  consumer protection guidelines for review solicitation.
</Tip>

***

## Reviews on your booking page

Published reviews appear on your online booking page:

* Average star rating and total review count
* Individual reviews with star ratings, text, and dates
* **"Verified appointment"** badge on reviews from organic appointments
* Your public responses shown alongside reviews

Client names are displayed as first name and last initial (e.g., "Jane D.") for privacy — matching industry standards.

The reviews section only appears when reviews are enabled and at least one published review exists.

***

## Responding to reviews

Team members with the **reviews:respond** permission can:

* **Add a response** — visible on your booking page alongside the review
* **Edit or remove** responses at any time

<Tip>
  Responding to reviews — both positive and negative — shows potential clients
  that you value feedback and are engaged with your community.
</Tip>

***

## Client permissions

* **Submit**: Any client who completed an appointment (one review per appointment)
* **Edit**: Within 30 days of submission (re-checked by AI moderation)
* **Delete**: Anytime

***

## FAQs

**Q: Can I delete or hide negative reviews?**
A: No. Businesses cannot delete or hide reviews. Only the platform can hide reviews that violate content guidelines. This ensures review integrity and builds trust with potential clients.

**Q: Do rating-only reviews (no text) go through moderation?**
A: No. Rating-only reviews are published immediately since there is no text content to moderate.

**Q: What happens when a client edits a review that was previously hidden?**
A: The review moves back to pending moderation so the edited content can be re-evaluated.

**Q: Can clients leave multiple reviews for the same appointment?**
A: No. Each appointment can have at most one review.
