Published: March 5th, 2022
Last Updated: December 16th, 2022
If you run a local business, reviews are like gold. They can make or break your reputation. And in today’s online-driven world, Google reviews are especially powerful—people turn to them to decide where to spend their hard-earned cash. But there’s a problem: fake reviews.
Yep, some businesses are gaming the system, buying fake reviews to boost their reputation or sabotage competitors. And it’s becoming a real issue. Our research shows that 62% of consumers have spotted a fake review in the past year. Fake reviews are not just annoying—they can seriously damage a business's reputation.
So what can you do if fake reviews are hurting your business? Let’s break it down.
How Important Are Google Reviews?
If you’re running a local business, Google reviews are your bread and butter. Google isn’t just a review platform; it’s THE review platform. In 2021, a whopping 81% of consumers turned to Google to evaluate local businesses. That means fake reviews on Google can be especially harmful.
Google reviews also influence local search rankings—so fake reviews don’t just mess with your reputation, they can also mess with your ability to even show up in search results. If you’re serious about your business, you’ll want to stay on top of your review game and keep an eye out for fake ones.
How to Spot a Fake Review
Fake reviews aren’t always easy to spot, but there are a few red flags:
Vague or overly generic comments: “Great service!” without any details.
Reviews from accounts with no profile photo or any other reviews.
Poor grammar or tons of spelling errors.
One-star reviews with no explanation.
If a review just doesn’t seem legit, trust your gut.
How to Remove Fake Google Reviews
So, what do you do when you spot a fake review? The good news is that Google does allow you to report fake reviews—but it’s not an instant fix. You’ll need to flag the review and then wait for Google to decide if it violates their policies.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Respond to the Review: Before you report it, respond to the fake review. Stay calm and professional. A simple, “We’re sorry, but we don’t have a record of this customer” goes a long way to show potential customers you take feedback seriously—even if it’s bogus.
Flag the Review: Click the three dots next to the review and select “Report Review.”
Follow Up with Google: If you don’t hear back, you can escalate the issue by reaching out to Google Support. You can also use Google’s Managing Your Reviews tool to track the status of your request.
Document Everything: If you have evidence the review is fake (e.g., no record of the reviewer in your system), gather it. Google might reach out for more information, so having everything ready can speed up the process.
How to Report a Business for Fake Reviews
If you suspect that a competitor is using fake reviews to pump up their rating, you can flag their reviews too. But be careful—this isn’t a tactic to mess with competitors. Only flag reviews if you’re sure they’re fake. Google will review the flagged content, but it’s not guaranteed that the review will be removed.
What If Google Denies Your Request?
Sometimes, Google doesn’t see things your way. If they reject your request to remove a review, you can appeal the decision. This gives you another shot to explain why the review violates their policies.
If you’re still stuck, you can take your issue to the Google Business Profile Community Forum and ask an expert to raise your case with Google. It’s not a guaranteed fix, but it can help move things along.
The Bottom Line on Fake Reviews
Fake reviews are a frustrating reality in today’s digital world. But with the right tools and processes in place, you can fight back and protect your business’s reputation.
In a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
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