Overview
Misleading or irrelevant reviews can unfairly damage your business’s online reputation. If you notice a review on your Google Business Profile that violates Google’s content policies—such as spam, off-topic comments, or fake feedback—you have the option to flag it for review. Once submitted, Google may evaluate and potentially remove the review if it’s found to be in violation.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Log in to Your Google Business Profile
- Visit https://business.google.com/
- Log in using the Google account associated with your business.
2. Select the Affected Location
- If you manage multiple locations, click on the one where the review was posted.
3. Go to the Reviews Section
- From the menu, click on Reviews to see all customer feedback.
4. Find the Unnecessary Review
- Scroll through the list or search for keywords to find the specific review you'd like to report.
5. Click the Three Dots (⋮)
- Located on the top right of the review.
6. Click "Report Review"
- A dialog box will pop up with various options to report the issue.
7. Choose the Most Relevant Reason
Here are common reasons you might select:
- Spam – review is fake or promotional.
- Off-topic – content unrelated to your business or services.
- Conflict of interest – review is from a competitor or disgruntled former employee.
- Profanity or offensive content
- Legal issue
Select the reason that most accurately applies, then click Submit.
What Happens Next?
- Google will review the reported content. Most decisions are made within 3 business days.
- If the review violates policies, it will be removed.
- You won’t be notified directly, but you can check back later to see if the review has been taken down.
Tips for Handling Reviews
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Don’t argue publicly. Never respond to reviews in a hostile tone, even if the review is fake.
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Flag suspicious patterns. If you see a wave of fake or suspicious reviews, document them and contact Google Support directly.
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Respond professionally. Even if you report the review, responding courteously shows other customers that you care.
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The more people who report a violating review from your restaurant, the better. When multiple users flag the same review, it signals to Google that the issue may be more serious and increases the chances of the review being reviewed and removed promptly.
Need More Help?
If a clearly policy-violating review is not removed after reporting, you can escalate the issue:
- Contact Google Business Profile support: https://support.google.com/business/
- Or reach out to our team via the Help widget for further assistance.