Google reviews are crucial for your business’s reputation, credibility, and visibility. But what happens when your hard-earned reviews disappear? Don’t panic—this guide will walk you through why reviews go missing and how to recover them.
Why Are My Google Reviews Missing?
Google reviews can disappear for several reasons, including:
Google’s Spam Filters – If Google suspects fake or incentivized reviews, they may remove them.
Policy Violations – Reviews containing prohibited content (like hate speech or advertising) can be taken down.
Google Business Profile Changes – If you recently updated your business name, address, or category, reviews may temporarily disappear.
Technical Glitches – Sometimes, Google’s system accidentally removes reviews during updates.
Reviewer’s Account Was Deleted – If a customer deletes their Google account, their review disappears too.
Example:
A financial advisor in Florida updates their business name on Google Business Profile. Suddenly, 10 reviews vanish. Google sees the name change as a new business listing and temporarily hides reviews.
How to Check If Your Reviews Are Really Missing
1️⃣ Search for Your Business on Google
- Type your business name + location in Google.
- Click on Google Reviews to see how many are visible.
2️⃣ Compare Reviews in Your Dashboard
- Log into Google Business Profile Manager.
- Click on “Reviews” to see if they match what’s visible online.
Example:
A Miami-based tax consultant sees 20 reviews in their Google Business dashboard but only 15 appear publicly. This confirms five reviews are missing.
How to Get Missing Google Reviews Back
1️⃣ Wait 48 Hours (for Google’s System to Update)
If Google is performing an update, reviews may disappear temporarily but come back in a day or two.
2️⃣ Contact Google Support
If reviews don’t return, reach out to Google Business Profile Support:
- Go to Google Business Profile Help.
- Click “Contact Us” and explain your missing reviews.
- Provide proof of reviews (like customer screenshots).
Example:
A credit repair agency in Orlando contacts Google after losing 8 five-star reviews overnight. They submit a support ticket and within a week, 6 reviews are restored.
3️⃣ Ask Customers to Repost Their Reviews
If reviews were wrongfully removed, you can politely ask customers to resubmit them.
✅ Send a friendly email:
“Hi [Customer Name], we noticed your wonderful review disappeared due to a Google update. If you have a moment, could you repost it? It really helps us!”
Example:
A real estate firm in Jacksonville emails 5 past clients, asking them to repost their missing reviews. Within a week, 3 reviews are back online.
4️⃣ Check for Google Policy Violations
If a review included banned content, it may have been removed by Google.
No profanity or hate speech
No advertising or self-promotion
No duplicate reviews
No reviews from business owners or employees
Example:
A wealth management firm notices a positive review from an employee got removed. Since Google doesn’t allow employee reviews, it won’t be restored.
5️⃣ Ensure Your Business Information Is Correct
If you changed your business name, address, or category, your reviews might not be visible.
✅ Fix incorrect business details in Google Business Profile.
✅ Don’t create a new listing—always update the existing one.
Example:
A loan officer in Tampa updates their office location, and half their reviews disappear. After correcting the address in GBP, reviews slowly return over a week.
How to Prevent Missing Google Reviews in the Future
✅ Regularly check your Google reviews.
✅ Ask customers to take screenshots of their reviews in case they disappear.
✅ Respond to every review to show engagement.
✅ Encourage reviews gradually (too many at once can trigger spam filters).
✅ Monitor changes to your Google Business Profile.
Example:
A tax consultant in Miami now asks all happy clients to screenshot their review before posting. If it disappears, they can easily repost it.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Missing Reviews Hurt Your Business!
Google reviews are essential for attracting new customers, so act fast if they go missing!
Key Takeaways:
✔️ Check your Google Business Profile for updates.
✔️ Contact Google Support if reviews are wrongfully removed.
✔️ Ask customers to repost lost reviews.
✔️ Avoid Google policy violations.
✔️ Keep business info accurate to prevent future issues.
Lost reviews? Don’t stress—take action today and restore your business’s reputation!
FAQs
1️⃣ Why did my Google reviews disappear?
Google reviews can disappear due to spam detection, policy violations, Google updates, or changes in your business information.
Example: A Miami tax consultant updates their business address, and 5 reviews disappear. Google sees it as a new listing and temporarily hides some reviews.
2️⃣ How can I check if my reviews are missing?
Compare the reviews shown on Google Search with the reviews listed in your Google Business Profile (GBP) dashboard.
Example: A financial advisor in Tampa logs into GBP and sees 30 reviews, but only 25 appear publicly—confirming 5 are missing.
3️⃣ Will missing Google reviews come back?
Sometimes, yes! If it’s due to a temporary Google update or glitch, reviews can return in 48 hours. If removed for violations, they won’t come back.
4️⃣ How can I recover my missing Google reviews?
✔️ Wait 48 hours (if it’s a temporary issue).
✔️ Contact Google Support and submit proof.
✔️ Ask customers to repost their reviews.
✔️ Ensure your business info is correct.
5️⃣ Can Google delete reviews without my permission?
Yes, Google can automatically remove reviews that violate its policies, even if you didn’t report them.
Example: A wealth manager in Orlando sees two 5-star reviews disappear because they were from his employees, which Google doesn’t allow.
6️⃣ How do I contact Google about missing reviews?
- Visit Google Business Profile Help.
- Click “Contact Us” and select “Reviews missing”.
- Provide details and screenshots.
7️⃣ Can a business owner delete a review?
No, you can’t remove reviews, but you can report fake or inappropriate ones.
Example: A loan officer in Tampa gets a false 1-star review from a competitor. He flags it for removal through GBP.
8️⃣ What happens if a customer deletes their Google account?
Their review will disappear along with their account.
Example: A real estate agent in Jacksonville loses three 5-star reviews after customers delete their Google accounts.
9️⃣ Can I ask customers to leave a new review if theirs disappeared?
Yes, but don’t offer incentives—it violates Google’s policies.
Example: A credit repair firm in Miami emails a client:
“Hi [Name], we noticed your review disappeared. If you have a moment, could you repost it? We’d appreciate it!”
Why do some reviews show up but others don’t?
Google may filter reviews that look suspicious or were posted in bulk.
Example: A CPA firm gets 10 reviews in one day, and 5 disappear—Google flags them as spam.
11️⃣ Can Google reviews be recovered after being deleted?
If Google removed a review, it can’t be restored unless it was a mistake.
12️⃣ Does changing my business name affect my reviews?
Yes! A name change can cause reviews to temporarily disappear or be reassigned.
13️⃣ Why do old Google reviews disappear?
Google regularly updates its review policies, sometimes leading to the removal of older reviews.
14️⃣ Can my competitors leave fake reviews?
Yes, but you can report them for removal.
Example: A wealth manager notices a 1-star review from a competitor and reports it under “Conflict of Interest.”
15️⃣ How do I prevent my reviews from disappearing?
✔️ Encourage reviews consistently (not in bulk).
✔️ Ensure business info is correct.
✔️ Avoid violating Google’s guidelines.
16️⃣ What words trigger Google’s review filter?
Profanity, hate speech, links, excessive capital letters, and repeated phrases can get a review removed.
17️⃣ Can customers edit or update their Google reviews?
Yes! They can edit or delete their reviews anytime.
18️⃣ Will changing my Google Business Profile settings affect my reviews?
Yes, big changes (name, location, category) can make reviews disappear temporarily.
19️⃣ How long does it take for missing reviews to return?
If it’s a temporary issue, missing reviews usually reappear within a week.
20️⃣ Can Google filter out positive reviews?
Yes, if they seem fake, incentivized, or spammy.
21️⃣ Can too many reviews at once cause problems?
Yes! A sudden flood of reviews can trigger Google’s spam filter.
22️⃣ Can I transfer reviews to a new Google Business Profile?
No, reviews stay with the original business listing.
23️⃣ Does Google remove negative reviews automatically?
No, negative reviews stay unless they violate policies.
24️⃣ Can I report multiple missing reviews at once?
Yes, submit a support ticket with all missing reviews.
25️⃣ Can Google remove all my reviews at once?
Yes, if Google suspends or deletes your profile, all reviews disappear.
26️⃣ Why do some reviews have “Not Recommended” status?
Google marks some reviews as untrustworthy based on activity.
27️⃣ How can I prove a review is fake?
Provide evidence (emails, receipts, chat logs) when reporting.
28️⃣ Will my reviews transfer if I move locations?
If you keep the same listing, yes. If you create a new profile, no.
29️⃣ Does Google notify customers if their review is removed?
No, customers aren’t notified if Google removes their review.
30️⃣ How many Google reviews do I need to rank higher?
More positive, authentic reviews improve SEO, but there’s no exact number.
31️⃣ Can I buy Google reviews?
No! Buying reviews violates Google’s policies and can get your profile banned.
32️⃣ Why are my new reviews not showing up?
Spam filters, policy violations, or account verification issues may block them.
33️⃣ Can I move reviews to a different business category?
No, reviews stay linked to the original business category.
34️⃣ Can I turn off Google reviews for my business?
No, Google reviews can’t be disabled for businesses.
35️⃣ Does deleting a Google Business Profile delete reviews?
Yes, if you delete your profile, all reviews are permanently lost.
36️⃣ How do I find out who left a review?
Click the reviewer’s profile, but some users remain anonymous.
37️⃣ Why are competitor reviews still up after I reported them?
Google takes time to review and verify reports.
38️⃣ Do Google reviews expire?
No, reviews stay indefinitely unless deleted by the user or Google.
39️⃣ Can I get sued for a Google review?
Yes, if a review contains false or defamatory information, a business can take legal action.
40️⃣ What’s the best way to get lost reviews back?
✔️ Contact Google Support.
✔️ Ask customers to repost reviews.
✔️ Make sure business info is correct.
Example: A financial advisor in Miami successfully recovers 10 missing reviews after reporting the issue to Google and getting clients to repost.
Dinesh K Verma is an experienced SEO strategist and WordPress expert with over 12 years of industry experience. He specializes in creating optimized, user-friendly websites that drive traffic and conversions. As the founder of SEOBallia.com, Dinesh shares his expertise through insightful articles and practical guides. His mission is to empower businesses and individuals to achieve online success.
