Terms & Definitions
Defamation
A false statement of fact, communicated to a third party, that damages a person's or business's reputation. Online defamation is almost always analyzed as libel.
Libel
Defamation in a fixed, written or recorded form — including posts, reviews, comments, and videos, which is why online defamation is treated as libel rather than slander.
Slander
Defamation that is spoken rather than fixed in a written or recorded form. Rarely the relevant category for content that exists on a website, app, or platform.
Opinion
A statement that a reasonable reader would understand as the speaker's subjective view rather than an assertion of verifiable fact. Generally protected, even when harsh.
Anti-SLAPP
"Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation" laws, adopted in many states, that let a defendant seek early dismissal of a defamation claim targeting speech on a matter of public concern.
Cease and Desist Letter
A formal letter demanding that someone stop a specific activity — such as publishing or continuing to publish defamatory content — often a first step before litigation.
Search Suppression
Building up enough accurate, positive, or neutral content that a piece of damaging content is no longer prominent when someone searches a name or business.
Review Bombing
A coordinated effort to flood a business with negative reviews in a short period, often unrelated to genuine customer experience.
Google Business Profile
Google's free business listing product (formerly Google My Business), where customer reviews for local businesses appear directly in Google Search and Google Maps.
John Doe Subpoena
A subpoena issued in a lawsuit against an unidentified defendant, used to compel a platform or internet service provider to disclose identifying information about an anonymous poster.
Expert Witness
A person with specialized knowledge who provides opinion testimony to help a court or jury understand evidence beyond common knowledge — in this context, the technical side of online content, platforms, and damages.
Statute of Limitations
The legally defined time limit within which a defamation claim must be filed, which varies by state and can be affected by rules like the single-publication rule.
Single Publication Rule
A legal rule, used in most U.S. states, treating all copies of a single publication (such as one web page) as one act of publication for statute-of-limitations purposes, rather than restarting the clock every time the page is viewed.