How reviews work on profiles and in the dashboard
Reviews on NearbySpy are part of how the marketplace builds trust. They appear on Investigator profiles, factor into search ranking, and feed back into the dashboard so Investigators can respond. This article explains how the system works for both sides.
Reviews on NearbySpy are part of how the marketplace builds trust. They appear on Investigator profiles, factor into search ranking, and feed back into the dashboard so Investigators can respond. This article explains how the system works for both sides.
Where reviews appear
- On the public Investigator profile, with the rating and recent comments visible to anyone.
- On location browse pages and search cards, in summary form (overall rating and count).
- Inside the Investigator dashboard, where the full set of reviews can be read and replied to.
Who can leave a review
Reviews are limited to Clients who have actually engaged the Investigator on a Case. This means a review is tied to a real working relationship, not an anonymous opinion from someone with no history. The booking-only rule is what makes ratings on NearbySpy more trustworthy than open directory reviews.
What a review includes
A standard review has:
- A star rating, usually on a five-point scale.
- A short written comment.
- The reviewer's name as it appears on their NearbySpy account.
- The date the review was submitted.
Sensitive Case details are never published. Reviews focus on the experience of working with the Investigator, not the underlying matter.
How Investigators respond
From the dashboard, Investigators can reply publicly to each review. A short, professional reply is encouraged, especially for negative feedback. Replies appear under the original review on the public profile and stay there as long as the review does.
How reviews influence search
Reviews are one of several signals used to order results. The number of reviews, the average rating, and how recent the reviews are all matter. They sit alongside profile completeness, distance, and license verification. See How Investigator search and filters work.
Reporting a review
If a review violates the guidelines, for example by sharing private Case details, naming third parties, or making defamatory claims, the Investigator can flag it from the dashboard. The support team reviews each flag. Reviews are not removed simply for being negative. Honest critical feedback stays.
If you want to leave a review
After your Case is complete, you may receive an invitation in your dashboard or by email asking you to share your experience. Take a few minutes. Even a short comment helps other people choose well and helps your Investigator improve their service.
If you want a review removed
You can edit your own review from your Client dashboard if your views have changed. To remove a review entirely, contact support with the link to the review and your reason. See Contact form reasons and what to include.
Related
Related in Marketplace
Blog posts vs Help Center documentation
NearbySpy publishes two kinds of long-form content: the blog and the Help Center. They look similar from the outside but they exist for different reasons.
Contacting an Investigator from a public profile
You can reach out to an Investigator directly from their public profile, with or without an account. This article explains the choices on a profile page, what the Investigator sees, and what to expect after you send a message.
Featured placements in directory and search
Featured placements are paid slots that promote your Investigator profile to the top of NearbySpy's directory and search results within a specific geographic area.
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