How to Remove Bad Reviews from Google My Business

Navigating the world of online reviews, particularly Google reviews, can be a daunting task for any business owner. Negative reviews on Google can significantly impact your business’s reputation and customer experience. In fact, 75% of clients ‘always’ or ‘regularly’ check for reviews before deciding to use a local business. This highlights the critical role Google reviews play in shaping consumer decisions.

Additionally, addressing negative reviews effectively is not just about damage control—it’s also about building trust. Business review responses are crucial: 88% of consumers would use a business that replies to all of its reviews, compared to just 47% who would use a business that doesn’t respond to reviews at all.

Whether you’re dealing with fake Google reviews, spammy reviews, or genuinely poor reviews, knowing how to manage and potentially remove these negative reviews is crucial. This guide provides a clear pathway to managing and possibly deleting negative reviews from your Google Business Profile.

Understand what kind of review is eligible for removal

Before attempting to delete a Google review, it’s essential to understand what constitutes a violation of Google’s policies. Reviews that are fake, inappropriate, or otherwise violate Google’s policies (like those containing hate speech, spam, or off-topic content) can be flagged for removal. Familiarizing yourself with Google’s review policies is crucial to ensure any action taken is justified.

Here are examples of reviews that can be removed by Google:

1. Fake Reviews

Reviews that are fabricated or posted by individuals who have never interacted with your business. For instance, if a competitor posts a negative review to damage your reputation, this can be flagged and removed.

2. Inappropriate Review

Reviews containing offensive language, hate speech, sexually explicit, or personal attacks. For example, a review that uses derogatory terms or makes unfounded accusations about your staff falls into this category.

3. Spam

Reviews that are repetitive, irrelevant, or promotional. An example would be a review that repeatedly advertises another business or includes irrelevant links and content.

4. Off-Topic Content

Reviews that are not related to your business’s actual experience or services. For instance, a review that discusses political views or personal opinions unrelated to your business can be flagged.

If your review content includes any of the above, it is warranted and recommended to ask Google to remove the review.

By understanding these categories, you can better identify which reviews are eligible for removal and take appropriate action to maintain your business’s online reputation.

Steps to Delete Negative Google Reviews

1. Flag/Delete Google Reviews on Google Maps

Access and navigate to your business listing through Google Maps or the Google Maps app. Find the negative review, click the three dots icon, and select “Report review.”

2. Choose the Reason

Specify why the review should be removed, selecting from reasons such as a fake review, spam, or inappropriate content. You can report it as “Off-topic” if the review does not pertain to an actual experience with your business.

3. Send the Report

Submit your report and allow Google some time to process the request. Monitor the status, as it may take several days for Google to review.

While this method of reporting reviews through the “Report review” option remains viable, Google now offers a Google now offers a streamlined approach with a dedicated form for review removal at sprk.it/remove-review.

Other Methods to Remove Google Reviews

1. Access the Form:

Go to the dedicated URL for reporting reviews: sprk.it/remove-review.

2. Log In and Select Business

Make sure you are logged into the Google account managing the business profile. If you have multiple businesses, find and select the certain business for which you want to report the review.

3. Report the Review

Choose to report a new review for removal. Find the specific review, click “report,” select the appropriate reason (e.g., “Off-topic”), and submit the report.

These methods offer a structured way to manage negative reviews, although removal is not guaranteed. It’s also beneficial to respond professionally to negative reviews as part of managing your online reputation.

Engaging with Negative Reviews

Engaging with negative reviews often yields better customer satisfaction and business reputation results. Responding to negative reviews shows that you value customer feedback and are committed to improvement.

1. Acknowledge the Issue

Respond to the negative review politely and professionally. Acknowledge the customer’s concerns and express your intention to resolve the issue.

2. Offer a Solution

Whenever possible, offer a solution or ask the reviewer to contact your customer service team directly to discuss the matter further.

3. Encourage Positive Reviews

Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews. A higher volume of positive reviews can mitigate the impact of the negative ones and improve your overall rating.

What to Do if a Review Can’t Be Removed

1. Appeal the Decision: If you believe the review is not legitimate, you can appeal Google’s decision. Provide additional context and evidence to support your claim at the Reviews Management Tool
2. Respond to the Review: Again, address the review professionally and courteously. Acknowledge the customer’s experience and offer a resolution if possible. This shows potential customers that you care about their feedback and are committed to resolving issues.
3. Resolve the Issue Offline: Contact the customer directly to address their concerns. If the issue is resolved satisfactorily, politely ask them to update or remove their negative review.

Do’s and Don’ts in Removing Reviews on Google

Do’s:

1. Understand Which Reviews to Report

Report only reviews that violate Google’s policies. Familiarize yourself with Google’s content policies

2. Provide Supporting Evidence

When reporting a review, ensure you have the necessary details and evidence to support your claim.

Don’ts:

1. Report Based on Disagreement

Don’t report a review just because you disagree with it or dislike it. Google doesn’t arbitrate factual disputes between businesses and customers.

2. Report Third-Party Hotel Reviews

You can’t report these directly. Contact the third-party provider for inappropriate reviews.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively manage your Google reviews and maintain your business’s online reputation.

Leveraging Customer Feedback

Negative reviews aren’t all bad; they can provide valuable insights into areas of your business that may need improvement. Use this feedback to enhance your services, which can lead to better customer experiences, more positive reviews and perhaps more potential customers in the future.

Final Thoughts

Managing online reviews is a vital part of maintaining a positive online reputation. Understanding how to remove inappropriate reviews and effectively engage with negative feedback can protect your brand and foster a better relationship with your customers. Remember, every review—good or bad—is an opportunity to improve and showcase your commitment to customer satisfaction.

Need Help Managing Your Reviews on Google?

Managing and removing negative Google reviews is crucial for maintaining a positive online reputation. You can improve your overall ratings and customer satisfaction by addressing and responding to reviews.

At Digital Workie, we specialize in managing Google review profiles. Our team of experts will help you handle reviews and respond to negative feedback effectively.

Ready to optimize your Google reviews? Contact us online or call us at 016-978 8825 to speak with a strategist today!