How to Remove Bad Reviews from Google My Business

What Kind Of Reviews Can Be Removed?

Unfortunately, removing every unfavorable review from your Google Business Profile is impossible. Google respects users’ right to free speech and strives to provide an objective forum for sincere client feedback. Nonetheless, some types of bad reviews can be removed since they are defamatory and breach Google’s terms of service and content policies:

• False testimonials from customers that have never done business with you.
• Reviews containing hateful, threatening, harassing, or objectionable content.
• Reviews that are irrelevant to your company or client experience.
• Spam or advertising from other companies or reviewers.

Your removal request is unlikely to be authorized by Google if the review does not fall under one of these categories of violations. But do not give up just yet. You can take steps to minimize the harm and safeguard your online reputation. If you are unable to remove bad reviews, there are other ways to protect your brand reputation online. 

How to Spot Inauthentic Google Reviews

The first step to having a fraudulent or bad Google review removed is identifying its telltale signs. While you might suspect a review is fake, you won’t be able to prove it without evidence. Here are some warning signs to be aware of:

Look for Red Flags in the Reviewer’s Name and Profile

• Do they lack a profile photo or have a generic username?
• Does their account only have this one review?
• Was this review their first on the site, or was it created recently?

Examine the Wording, Timing, and Rating of Negative Reviews for Trends

• Are several unfavorable reviews made at strange times or with identical wording?
• Did you suddenly receive several one-star reviews right after receiving all five stars?
• Do the reviews offer general critiques devoid of specifics about your company?

Make A Note If The Review Is Devoid Of Information Unique To Your Company

• Does the review refer to goods or services that you don’t provide?
• Is there anything specific that would be included in a real customer interaction that is absent from the review?

Examine The Reviewer’s Comments In Relation to Your Customer History

• Do you have documentation of the said encounter or transaction?
• Has the reviewer ever spoken with a member of your support staff about this matter?

Take detailed notes on the reasons you believe a review is fraudulent. The more specific your evidence, the stronger your case for removal will be.

A Comprehensive Guide For Reporting Unfavorable Google Reviews

Determine that a Google review is against the platform’s regulations and gather proof to back up your claims. Next, use your Google Business Profile account to request the review’s removal. Here’s how to do it:

After determining whether or not a review is against Google’s terms, you can use your Google Business account to request its removal. Here are the steps to take to remove bad reviews from Google My Business: 

Step 1: Open The Reviews Management Tool In Your Business Profile

• Go to business.google.com to access your Google Business Profile account.
• Choose the particular location you wish to handle reviews for if you have numerous business locations.
• From the menu that appears on the left side of your screen, select “Reviews.”

Step 2: Locate And Select The Review That Needs To Be Reported

Point out the review that needs to be reported

• By default, reviews are arranged chronologically, starting with the most recent ones.
• Use the search bar if necessary to locate a particular review by date range or keyword.
• In the upper-right corner of the review, select the three vertical dots icon, and then select “Flag as inappropriate.”

Reviews are usually in the order that they are posted with the most recent ones being first. 

If needed, you can use the search bar to locate the defamatory review. 

Once you have found the review on Google My Business, you will have the option to “Flag as inappropriate”.

Step 3: Determine Which Of Google’s Policies The Review Violates

• Figure out which one of Google’s policies that the review violates.
• Choose the option in the pop-up window that most accurately explains how the review contravenes Google’s content policy.
• Choose the option that explains how the review goes against Google’s policies.

Step 4: Send In Your Report And Allow Google A Few Days To Review It

• Click the “Submit” button to submit your report to Google for review.
• You can now notice the review marked as “Flagged” in the “Reviews” page on your business profile.
• Google normally processes review reports within 1-2 business days, although it may occasionally take longer.

Google will remove bad reviews from Google My Business Profile and let you know if it violates its policies. If Google decides the review does not fit the removal requirements, do not despair; you still have other options for protecting your online reputation.

How To Address Unable-To-Be-Removed Bad Reviews

Removing negative content is the first priority. The first attempt will be to remove bad reviews. However, if a bad review is not removed, you can still minimize the harm by reacting in a tactful and considerate manner. Your answer demonstrates to potential clients that you respect their opinions, are attentive to their issues, and are determined to make things right. Here are some pointers to respond to bad reviews on Google My Business:

How you respond to negative reviews matters more than you may think. Your responses show your respect for opinions, and that you are determined to make things right. Here are some things to consider:

• Acknowledge the reviewer’s worries without pointing fingers or offering an explanation, and extend your regret for their negative experience. A straightforward “thank you for bringing this to our attention” can make a big difference.

A simple response such as “Thank you for bringing this to our attention” can make a world of difference. 

• Gently describe your side of the story and any pertinent background information that can provide light on what happened. Remain factual and refrain from taking sides.

Give your side of the story and provide information that can explain what happened. 

• Offer to put things right and give a direct contact number to continue the conversation privately. This stops more public back-and-forth and demonstrates your desire to work toward a resolution.

Image Source: Flickr

Respond Rather Than Reacting

Remember that your reply to a bad review on Google My Business is permanent and visible to the public. So be sure to be succinct, professional, and solution-focused. Steer clear of copying and pasting answers or automating responses. Tailoring every response shows that you genuinely care about each customer’s experience.

Bad reviews on Google My Business can often go beyond being just unfavorable comments and constitute defamation. Further, these can negatively impact your company’s standing and financial health. If you think a review makes false claims about your company, consider filing a lawsuit to get the review taken down. 

Defamatory Google Review Examples:

• Fabricated claims of wrongdoing, such as theft or assault
• Knowingly making misleading claims concerning your goods, services, or methods of doing business
• Hate speech or personal assaults directed towards your clients or staff
• Utterly made-up accounts of contacts with your company that never happened

As opposed to those that merely break Google’s content policy, defamatory reviews might need to be removed through legal action. That is where Blue Ocean Global Technology can help. 

Increasing Positive Google Reviews

Naturally, the best defense against the occasional bad review is to intentionally cultivate a consistent flow of good feedback from pleased clients. Google’s search engines and potential clients will give less weight to a single 1-star rating. Especially, when the great majority of your reviews are positive.

However, how can you promote more evaluations from clients without coming across as obnoxious or desperate? Making the procedure as simple and seamless as possible for your customers is the key. Here are a few successful tactics:

Follow Up

After services or purchases, send follow-up emails to consumers to express gratitude for their business. Further, kindly request that they provide a Google review of their experience. Provide a clear and straightforward link to your Google review page to avoid confusion and extra effort.

Encourage Feedback

Add review request cards or flyers to your product shipments, invoices, and receipts. Inform clients that you appreciate their input and that it will help your company grow. Consider rewarding customers who leave reviews with a modest token of appreciation, such as a coupon on their next purchase.

Train your team to spot happy customers and prompt them to write a review. It can be as simple as saying, “If you enjoyed your experience today, kindly share your thoughts on Google. It really helps us out.”

Include obvious calls to action. Encouraging visitors to leave Google reviews on your website, in your email signature, and on your social media profiles. Verify that the link leads to the review form and not simply your Google Business Profile in general.

Avoid begging or offering bribes as this is against Google’s policy and may have unintended consequences. Rather, concentrate on delivering remarkable customer experiences that motivate individuals to recommend you online willingly.

Conclusion

Negative and harmful reviews on your Google My Business  have the potential to seriously harm your income, clientele, and reputation. However, you do not have to handle this task by yourself. Our professionals have helped our clients to remove bad reviews. We know exactly what it takes to present a compelling case and have inaccurate material permanently removed online. We at Blue Ocean Global Technology value your online reputation and will help you remove bad review. Whether filing a defamation lawsuit or sending a formal legal removal request to Google, our professionals are at your help. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can You Remove Bad Reviews From Google My Business?

Report a review to Google to request that it be taken down or deleted from your business profile. Google has the right to delete reviews that break its rules.

2. How Long Does it Typically Take for Google To Remove a Bad Review on Google My Business?

Google can take anywhere from a week to twenty days to delete fake reviews.

3. Can You Sue Google For Harmful Reviews?

You can file a lawsuit for a phony Google review if it meets the legal criteria for harassment, extortion, or defamation.