What to do if you receive fake reviews on Google My Business?

Nowadays, online reviews play a fundamental role in the reputation of any business. A fake or negative review on Google My Business (GMB) can have a significant impact, affecting the trust of future customers and the visibility of your company.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to address fake reviews on Google My Business, protect your reputation, and ensure that your profile reflects the true quality of your service or product. In this article, we explain how to identify, report, and manage fake reviews effectively.

Why are fake reviews a problem for your business?

Fake reviews can be harmful to your online reputation, and their impact should not be underestimated. A negative review, even if unfounded, can discourage potential customers, who rely on online information to make decisions.

Additionally, Google uses reviews as one of the key factors in its ranking algorithm, meaning that a low rating due to fake reviews can negatively affect your business’s visibility in search results. Trustpilot reviews can also impact your business; here’s another post that explains more about it.

There are various reasons why a competitor, former employee, or even a dissatisfied customer might leave a fake review. However, regardless of the motivation, it is essential to take action to protect your reputation.

How to identify fake reviews on Google My Business?

Not all negative reviews are fake, but it is important to recognize those that might not be genuine. Some warning signs that indicate a fake review include:

• Inconsistent or exaggerated language: Fake reviews often contain unnatural or over-the-top language, either positive or negative.
• Profiles with little or no activity: If the person leaving the review has a profile with few interactions or reviews, it could be a sign that they are not a real customer.
• Unrealistic details: Reviews that mention very vague details or, on the contrary, extremely specific and unrealistic information may be suspicious.
• Mass reviews: If several reviews appear in a short period of time with a similar tone, they could be part of a manipulation strategy.

Although not all reviews that show these characteristics are necessarily fake, they are red flags that should be carefully analyzed.

Steps to report fake reviews on Google My Business

If you have identified a fake or suspicious review on your Google My Business profile, you can take steps to report it. Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Verify the review: Before reporting a review, make sure it is truly fake. Read the content carefully and check if it matches the patterns mentioned earlier. If you are convinced that the review does not reflect a real customer experience, you can proceed with the reporting process.
2. Log into your Google My Business account: Sign in to your Google My Business account and select the business profile where the fake review is located.
3. Find the review you want to report: In the management panel, go to the reviews section. There, you will find all the reviews left on your profile. Locate the review in question.
4. Report the review: Click on the three vertical dots next to the review and select “Report review.” Google will ask you to choose a reason why you consider the review inappropriate. Be sure to select the option that best describes your situation, such as “Off-topic” or “Inappropriate content.”
5. Wait for Google’s review: After submitting the report, Google will review the review to determine whether it violates its policies. This process can take a few days, so it’s important to be patient. If Google determines that the review is fake or inappropriate, it will remove it. However, Google does not always remove reviews, as it has specific criteria to determine whether the content is fake or malicious.

What if Google does not remove the fake review?

If Google does not remove the fake review after your report, there are some alternatives you can consider:

• Respond publicly to the review: If the review remains on your profile, you can respond professionally and clearly. Explain your point of view without being confrontational and provide evidence that demonstrates the review does not reflect a real experience.
• Request help from Google: If you believe that the review seriously violates Google’s policies, you can try to contact Google My Business support for a more detailed request.

If, despite your efforts, Google does not remove the fake review, RepScan, a company specializing in online reputation management, can help you remove it.

In the form at the bottom of this page, you can provide us with the necessary details, and we will intervene on your behalf to manage the removal of the fake review from your Google My Business profile. Our experience in digital reputation management ensures that you have the support needed to protect your business image.

Remember that maintaining a strong online reputation is crucial for the success of your business. With the right support, you can efficiently resolve issues related to fake reviews.

Strategies to protect your business from fake reviews

While it’s important to know how to handle fake reviews, it’s equally crucial to take preventive measures to protect your business in the long run. Here are some effective strategies:

• Request reviews from satisfied customers: One of the best ways to counteract fake reviews is by generating a large number of genuine reviews from satisfied customers. If you have a loyal and happy customer base leaving positive reviews, fake reviews will have less impact.
• Monitor reviews regularly: It’s essential to track your Google My Business reviews frequently. Proactive monitoring allows you to quickly detect suspicious reviews and take action before they significantly affect your business.
• Set up Google alerts: You can enable alerts on Google to notify you whenever a new review is published. This way, you can respond quickly to any comment, whether positive or negative. In fact, Google offers various types of alerts that can be useful for your day-to-day operations—here’s a page where we explain more about them.
• Encourage customer engagement: Maintain open and continuous communication with your customers. Ensuring they have a positive experience in every interaction will reduce the likelihood of receiving fake or unfair reviews.
• Remember that reviews are part of the process: It’s important to keep in mind that both positive and negative reviews are part of building your online reputation. Handling reviews effectively is key to maintaining a strong and trustworthy presence.

Conclusion

Receiving fake reviews on Google My Business can be a challenge, but with the right strategies, you can protect your online reputation. Reporting fake reviews, constantly monitoring your profile, and encouraging genuine reviews are crucial steps to maintaining a positive image for your business. Additionally, remember that reviews are not always fully controllable, but you can always respond professionally and demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction.

With these approaches, you can safeguard your business and boost the trust of your future customers.