NMC glossary · Reviews, search and AI
Fake Reviews And Fake Engagement: What It Means Under The NMC Rules
Also searched as: Fake reviews, Paid reviews, Fake followers, Bought likes
No RMP or hospital may solicit, buy, procure or manipulate fake, paid or misleading patient reviews, ratings or testimonials, or procure or manipulate fake followers, likes, comments, views or other digital engagement.
Updated 7 November 2026. Reviewed by Tamojit Lodh, Founder of Medmatis. Built around the NMC's Public Notice No. R-13014/01/2024-Ethics of 6 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Key facts, with sources
Hide the 4 key facts and their sourcesShow the 4 key facts and their sources
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Term | Fake reviews and fake engagement (also searched as Fake reviews, Paid reviews, Fake followers) | Medmatis |
| In the notice | Not defined by the notice; this entry explains how the notice uses it. | NMC notice of 6 Oct 2026, cl. 3.2, Explanation V, cl. 8.1 (xii) |
| Applies to | Doctors (RMPs) and hospitals/medical institutions | NMC notice of 6 Oct 2026 |
| In force | From 6 October 2026, with immediate effect. The NMC may issue clarifications and advisories (cl. 12). | NMC notice of 6 Oct 2026 |
In plain words
Two clauses cover this. Explanation V to clause 3.2 bars fake, paid or misleading patient reviews, ratings, testimonials, endorsements and recommendations for promotion of medical services. Clause 8.1 (xii) bars procuring or manipulating fake followers, likes, reviews, ratings, testimonials, comments, views or other digital engagement, including by getting a third party to do it.
Because both clauses reach a third party acting for the doctor, buying engagement through an agency or a “growth service” is not a way round the rule.
What it does not mean
- It does not say every request for a review is banned. The separate rule that an RMP shall not request or share patient reviews for professional promotion applies on social media (cl. 3.2 Expl. V).
- The notice does not name Google reviews. How it applies to review platforms is unclear in places; seek advice for your situation.
Buying a pack of five-star reviews or followers to look more popular.
Illustrative wording only. It shows the idea and is not a clearance of any page.
The notice’s own words
Quoted from the NMC notice of 6 October 2026. Check the clause number against the original.
cl. 3.2, Explanation VNo RMP or hospital/medical institution shall solicit, purchase, procure, manipulate or cause to be published fake, paid or misleading patient reviews, ratings, testimonials, endorsements or recommendations for the promotion of medical services. An RMP shall not request or share patient testimonials, recommendations, endorsements or reviews for professional promotion on social media.
cl. 8.1 (xii)No RMP or hospital/medical institution shall procure, manipulate or cause any third party to procure or manipulate fake followers, likes, reviews, ratings, testimonials, comments, views or other digital engagement, or manipulate search rankings, visibility or algorithms to create a misleading impression of professional standing.
Our plain-language guide to the whole notice → Check your own text against these rules →
Frequently asked questions
Are paid followers and likes banned?
Yes. Procuring or manipulating fake followers, likes, reviews, ratings, comments, views or other digital engagement, or causing a third party to do so, is barred (cl. 8.1 xii).
Can I ask patients to leave a review?
The notice bars fake, paid or misleading reviews, and says an RMP shall not request or share patient reviews for professional promotion on social media (cl. 3.2 Expl. V). It does not name review platforms such as Google, so take advice on how it applies to yours.
This entry explains a public notice in plain language and quotes its clause numbers. It is not legal advice. Read the original NMC notice and take advice on your own situation.
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