A Practical Checklist
1. Preserve the Evidence
Take full screenshots with visible URLs and timestamps, and save the page source where possible. See the screenshot guide for specifics.
2. Start Your Timeline
Begin a dated journal entry now, even a brief one. You can add detail later, but the date needs to be accurate from the start.
3. Don't Engage Publicly
Avoid commenting on, replying to, or confronting the poster before you've fully documented the content — engagement can prompt deletion or editing.
4. Identify Who Else May Have Seen It
Note colleagues, customers, or contacts who may have seen the content, in case their awareness becomes relevant later.
5. Check for Related Content
Search for the same claims elsewhere — defamatory content is often posted or reposted across more than one platform.
6. Get an Objective Read
Talk to an attorney about whether the content may meet the legal standard for defamation in your jurisdiction, and consider whether an investigator is needed.
After the First 48 Hours
Once the immediate evidence is preserved, the right next step depends on the situation: consulting an attorney if litigation may be appropriate, engaging an investigator if the poster is anonymous and identification matters, or starting reputation cleanup work through Hartzer Consulting if the priority is limiting ongoing damage.