GetDandy.com

Key Points

• GetDandy is an AI-based reputation management service focused on removing negative online reviews and automating responses for businesses.

• Concerns include questionable ethics in targeting only negative reviews, potential for overpromising results, and allegations of aggressive or ineffective strategies.

• Limited customer feedback is available; some sources question the service’s legitimacy and effectiveness, with suspicions of manual processes disguised as AI.

• No confirmed lawsuits or bankruptcy records, but risks include reputational damage and potential legal scrutiny from review platforms.

• Ethical concerns arise from selective review removal, which may skew consumer perceptions and violate platform policies.

Overview

GetDandy (also referred to as Dandy in some contexts) is a software company offering AI and machine learning-based reputation management services. Their primary service involves identifying and reporting negative reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, Tripadvisor, and Facebook, aiming to have them removed. Additionally, GetDandy automates responses to reviews using AI (e.g., ChatGPT-generated replies) and employs QR codes to gather customer information for businesses. The company markets itself as a solution for businesses, particularly small ones like restaurants, that lack the time or resources to manage online reviews. Their website (https://getdandy.com/) emphasizes protecting business reputations by addressing “unfair” negative reviews.

Allegations and Concerns

Several red flags and concerns have been raised about GetDandy’s practices:

• Selective Review Removal: Critics question the ethics of focusing solely on negative reviews while ignoring fake positive reviews, which can equally distort consumer perceptions and star ratings. This selective approach raises concerns about manipulating online reputations rather than ensuring fairness.

• Doubts About AI Claims: Some sources suspect GetDandy’s “proprietary AI technology” may be a front for manual review removal processes, possibly outsourced, rather than sophisticated automation. This has led to accusations of overpromising and underdelivering.

• Aggressive Strategies: Reviews on platforms like Bark and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) describe GetDandy’s strategies as aggressive, with complaints about their effectiveness and transparency. There are concerns about whether their methods comply with review platform policies.

• Potential Blackmail Concerns: One source speculates that services like GetDandy could exploit businesses by contacting them soon after negative reviews appear, potentially pressuring them into paying for removal services. While unproven, this raises ethical questions about their business model.

• Branding Confusion: The inconsistent use of “GetDandy” versus “Dandy” in marketing materials is noted as a minor but concerning lack of clarity in branding.

Customer Feedback

Customer feedback on GetDandy is sparse and mixed, with limited direct reviews available. The following summarizes key sentiments:

• Positive Feedback: GetDandy’s sales presentations are described as impressive, with promises of guaranteed outcomes and software designed to exploit weaknesses in review platform terms (e.g., Google, Yelp). Some businesses may find value in the convenience of automating review responses and reporting negative reviews.

• Negative Feedback:

  • A Local Search Forum post cites complaints on Bark and BBB, describing GetDandy as a “constant offender” with “aggressive strategies and questionable services.” Users doubt the AI claims, suspecting manual processes outsourced to countries like India.

  • One reviewer expressed frustration: “They promise to be AI technology that scan reviews and remove them. I highly doubt it, looks like manual review removal from India that overpromise and don’t deliver.”

  • Another user raised concerns about potential blackmail: “What in the world would stop these businesses from being blackmailers? I had a few reviews removed. They contacted me very soon after the reviews were posted. I had no choice.”

• Neutral Feedback: Review Party Dot Com notes they haven’t used GetDandy but questions the ethics of their focus on negative reviews, suggesting it may not address the broader issue of fake reviews (positive or negative).

Risk Considerations

• Reputational Risk: GetDandy’s focus on removing negative reviews could backfire if review platforms like Google or Yelp crack down on such practices, potentially harming clients’ reputations if flagged for manipulation.

• Legal Risk: Attempting to exploit weaknesses in review platform terms could violate policies, leading to penalties for businesses using the service. No lawsuits are confirmed, but the aggressive tactics described could attract legal scrutiny.

• Financial Risk: Businesses, especially small ones, may face financial strain if GetDandy’s services are costly and fail to deliver promised results, as suggested by some reviews.

• Ethical Risk: The selective removal of negative reviews raises ethical concerns, potentially misleading consumers and undermining trust in review ecosystems.

• Operational Risk: If GetDandy relies on manual processes rather than AI, as some allege, clients may receive inconsistent or ineffective services, leading to dissatisfaction.

Business Relations and Associations

• Partnerships: No specific partnerships or affiliations with major companies are mentioned in the available sources.

• Key People: No individual executives or founders are named in the provided information, limiting insight into leadership or ownership.

• Clients: GetDandy targets small businesses, such as restaurants or “mom and pop” shops, that struggle to manage online reviews. No high-profile clients are documented.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Lawsuits: No confirmed lawsuits against GetDandy were found in the provided sources or broader web searches.

• Bankruptcy Records: No evidence of bankruptcy filings or significant financial distress is reported.

• Unpaid Debts: No specific claims of unpaid debts are documented, though customer complaints about overpromising suggest potential dissatisfaction with value for money.

• Regulatory Scrutiny: While not explicitly mentioned, GetDandy’s review removal tactics could attract attention from review platforms or regulatory bodies if deemed manipulative or deceptive.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

GetDandy presents itself as a solution for businesses overwhelmed by negative online reviews, leveraging AI to automate responses and flag problematic content. The concept is appealing for small businesses lacking the time or expertise to manage their online reputation. However, several concerns temper this appeal. The selective focus on negative reviews raises ethical red flags, as it could distort consumer perceptions and violate the spirit of transparent feedback systems. Allegations of manual processes disguised as AI, coupled with complaints about aggressive tactics, suggest GetDandy may overpromise and underdeliver. The lack of transparency about leadership, pricing, or verifiable success stories further undermines confidence.

Pros:

• Offers a convenient solution for busy small businesses.

• Automates review responses, potentially saving time.

• Targets a real pain point: unfair or fraudulent negative reviews.

Cons:

• Ethical concerns about selective review removal.

• Doubts about the authenticity of AI-driven processes.

• Risk of violating review platform policies, which could harm clients.

• Limited and mixed customer feedback, with serious allegations of ineffectiveness.

Cautionary Advice: Businesses considering GetDandy should thoroughly vet the service, request case studies or proof of results, and carefully review contract terms. Ensure compliance with review platform policies to avoid penalties. Exploring alternative reputation management strategies, such as encouraging authentic positive reviews or addressing customer concerns directly, may be safer and more ethical.

Key Citations

• Review Party Dot Com: https://www.reviewpartydotcom.com/blog/getdandy-review-removal

• GetDandy Official Website: https://getdandy.com/

• Web Moves Blog: https://www.webmoves.net

• Local Search Forum: https://localsearchforum.com

• Bark Profile Reviews: https://www.bark.com/en/us/company/getdandy

• Better Business Bureau Complaints: https://www.bbb.org