Google reviews play a huge role in shaping a business’s online reputation. But what if you get a fake, misleading, or inappropriate review? Luckily, Google allows you to report reviews that violate its guidelines.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
✅ When to report a review
✅ How to report it (step-by-step)
✅ What happens after you report a review
✅ How long Google takes to remove it
✅ What to do if Google doesn’t take action
If you’re a business owner dealing with an unfair review, keep reading to learn exactly what to do!
When Should You Report a Google Review?
Google only removes reviews that violate its policies. You can’t report a review just because it’s negative.
Here are the valid reasons to report a review:
Fake Review – If someone who never visited your business leaves a review.
Spam or Bot Activity – If you receive multiple reviews from fake accounts.
Conflict of Interest – A competitor, ex-employee, or someone with a personal bias posts a bad review to harm your business.
Hate Speech or Harassment – If the review includes threats, discrimination, or offensive language.
False Information – If someone spreads lies about your business (e.g., claims you scammed them but never actually used your service).
Promotional or Irrelevant Review – If a review is trying to promote another business or talks about something unrelated.
Example:
Imagine you’re a financial advisor in Florida, and someone leaves a review saying,
“Worst restaurant ever! The food was terrible!”
Clearly, that review has nothing to do with your business, and you can report it.
How to Report a Google Review (Step-by-Step)
If you find a fake or inappropriate review, follow these steps to report it:
On Desktop (Computer)
1️⃣ Go to Google Maps or Google Search and find your business.
2️⃣ Click on the “Reviews” tab.
3️⃣ Find the review you want to report.
4️⃣ Click on the three-dot menu (⋮) next to the review.
5️⃣ Select “Report review” and choose the reason.
6️⃣ Submit the report and wait for Google’s response.
On Mobile (Google Maps App)
1️⃣ Open the Google Maps app.
2️⃣ Search for your business and go to the reviews section.
3️⃣ Find the review you want to report.
4️⃣ Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) and select “Report review”.
5️⃣ Choose the reason and submit it.
After submitting, you’ll receive a confirmation that Google is reviewing your report.
What Happens After You Report a Google Review?
Once you report a review, Google does NOT remove it immediately. Here’s what happens:
Step 1: Google Reviews Your Report
Google’s system analyzes the review using AI and human moderators. They check if it violates Google’s policies.
⏳ Step 2: Google Decides Whether to Remove It
- ✅ If the review violates guidelines, Google removes it within a few days.
- ❌ If Google thinks it follows guidelines, they won’t remove it.
Step 3: You Get Notified (Sometimes)
Google doesn’t always notify you when they remove a review, but you can check your reviews list to see if it’s gone.
How Long Does It Take for Google to Remove a Review?
Google usually reviews reported content within 3-7 business days, but it can take longer in some cases.
⏳ Time Estimates:
✅ Simple cases (spam, hate speech): 3-5 days
✅ Fake reviews or conflicts of interest: 1-2 weeks
✅ Complex cases (legal issues, multiple reports): Several weeks
If Google hasn’t removed the review after two weeks, you may need to take additional steps.
What to Do If Google Doesn’t Remove the Review?
If Google declines to remove a review, don’t panic! Here are 4 things you can do:
1. Appeal the Decision
If you believe Google made a mistake, report the review again and provide a stronger reason.
How to Appeal:
- Contact Google Business Support via their Help Center.
- Explain why the review is false or harmful.
- Provide screenshots or evidence (if possible).
2. Respond to the Review Professionally
If the review stays up, the best move is to respond professionally.
Example Response to a Fake Review:
“Hi [Reviewer’s Name], we can’t find any record of you as a client. Please contact us at [Your Email/Phone] so we can clarify any issues.”
This shows potential clients that you care, even if the review is fake.
3. Get More Positive Reviews
A negative review won’t matter if you have tons of positive ones.
✅ Ask happy clients to leave a review.
✅ Send them a Google Review link via text or email.
✅ Offer a small incentive (like a free financial planning checklist) for feedback.
4. Take Legal Action (Only in Extreme Cases)
If a review is defamatory, false, or damaging, you may need legal action.
Steps:
- Contact a lawyer if the review is harming your business.
- Request a court order to remove it.
- Submit legal documents to Google’s Legal Removal Request Form.
⚠️ Warning: Legal action should be a last resort, as it can take months.
Final Thoughts: Stay Proactive About Your Google Reviews
✅ Google won’t remove every bad review, but if a review is fake, misleading, or inappropriate, you can report it.
✅ If Google doesn’t remove it, use professional responses and get more positive reviews to bury the bad one.
✅ Your online reputation matters—stay on top of your reviews and keep your Google Business Profile strong!
FAQs
1. Can I report a Google review if it’s negative?
No. Google doesn’t remove reviews just because they are negative.
But if a review is fake, misleading, spam, or violates policies, you can report it.
Example:
A client leaves a genuine 1-star review about your financial planning service, saying,
“I wasn’t happy with the advice I received.”
You cannot report this. Instead, respond professionally and try to resolve their issue.
2. What kind of reviews can I report?
✅ Fake reviews (from someone who never used your service)
✅ Spam or multiple reviews from the same person
✅ Reviews with hate speech or harassment
✅ Reviews promoting another business
✅ False accusations or misleading information
Example:
“This business scammed me and stole my money!” (but they were never a client)
You can report this for misleading and false content.
3. How do I report a Google review?
Go to your Google Business Profile
Find the review
Click the three-dot menu (⋮)
Select “Report review” and choose a reason
4. Can I report a review from the Google Maps app?
Yes! Open the Google Maps app, find your business, go to Reviews, and report the review using the three-dot menu.
5. How long does it take for Google to remove a reported review?
Usually 3-7 business days, but complex cases can take several weeks.
6. Will Google notify me if they remove a review?
Not always. You’ll need to check your review list to see if it’s gone.
7. What if Google doesn’t remove the fake review?
Try appealing by contacting Google Business Support.
Respond professionally to show customers your side of the story.
Get more positive reviews to push the bad one down.
Example Response to a Fake Review:
“Hi [Reviewer], we don’t have any record of you as a client. Please reach out to us at [email] to discuss this further.”
8. Can I remove a review from my own Google Business Profile?
No. You cannot delete reviews, only report them for violations.
9. What if a competitor leaves a fake negative review?
Report it under “Conflict of Interest.”
Provide evidence (if possible).
Example:
If a competing financial advisor in Florida leaves a 1-star review under a fake name, you can flag it as a conflict of interest.
10. Can I report a review from an ex-employee?
Yes! Google prohibits reviews from former employees as they may be biased.
11. What if someone leaves multiple bad reviews using different accounts?
Report them all as spam or fake.
Example:
If one person leaves five different 1-star reviews under different names, that’s a clear spam attack.
12. Can I take legal action if a review is defamatory?
Yes, but it’s a last resort. You can get a court order to remove the review.
13. Does Google remove old fake reviews?
Yes! Even if a fake review was left years ago, you can still report it.
14. Can I report a positive review if it’s fake?
Yes! Fake positive reviews violate Google’s policies too.
15. Can I ask my customers to report a fake review?
Yes! More reports increase the chances of Google taking action.
16. Does reporting a review guarantee removal?
No. Google only removes reviews that violate policies.
17. Can I block someone from leaving reviews on my profile?
No, but you can report their reviews if they are spam or harassment.
18. Can a person delete their own review?
Yes! If you resolve their issue, they might edit or remove it themselves.
Example:
You respond politely to a bad review and offer to fix the problem. The client changes their rating from 1⭐ to 5⭐.
19. How do I prevent fake reviews in the future?
Monitor your reviews regularly.
Report suspicious activity immediately.
Encourage real customers to leave reviews.
20. Can a Google review hurt my ranking?
Yes! Bad reviews affect your Google Business Profile visibility.
21. What if the review is from a mistaken identity?
If someone mistakenly leaves a bad review for the wrong business, ask them to remove or update it.
22. Can I respond to a reported review?
Yes! Even if you report it, respond professionally in case Google doesn’t remove it.
23. What if my business is review-bombed?
If you get multiple fake reviews at once, report them all and contact Google Support.
24. Can I hire a service to remove bad reviews?
Be careful! Many “review removal” services are scams. Stick with Google’s official process.
25. Can I edit my own reviews on another business’s page?
Yes! You can edit or delete your own Google reviews anytime.
26. What if a fake review has personal attacks?
Report it immediately under “Hate Speech & Harassment.”
Example:
“This financial advisor is a scam artist and should be shut down!”
This can be reported.
27. Can someone leave a review without using their real name?
Yes, but Google requires an account to leave a review.
28. Can I stop people from leaving reviews altogether?
No. Reviews are part of Google Business Profiles and cannot be turned off.
29. What if a customer blackmails me with a bad review?
If a client threatens to leave a bad review unless you give them a discount or refund, report it under “Extortion.”
30. What’s the best way to protect my business from bad reviews?
Deliver great service so real customers leave positive reviews.
Respond to all reviews (good and bad) to show professionalism.
Report fake reviews ASAP to keep your reputation strong.
Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Google Reviews!
Fake or misleading reviews can hurt your business, but you can fight back by reporting them.
If Google doesn’t remove a review, respond professionally and get more positive reviews to balance it out.
Stay proactive, protect your reputation, and keep growing your business!
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.
