Can Businesses Delete Google Reviews?

Getting a bad review on Google can feel frustrating, especially if you think it’s unfair or even fake. For many business owners, the first question is simple: Can I delete this? The short answer: no, at least not directly.

But there’s more to it.

Google wants its reviews to reflect real customer experiences, so it limits how much control businesses have over what stays online. That doesn’t mean you’re powerless, though. There are certain situations where reviews can be removed, and plenty of ways to handle reviews you can’t delete.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what you can and can’t do, when Google might step in, and how you can manage your online reputation even when negative reviews stick around.

Why Google reviews matter

Google reviews have become one of the most visible trust signals for any business. Whether people are booking a hotel, ordering takeout, or looking for a local plumber, reviews are often the first thing they check.

• 82% of consumers read online reviews before deciding where to spend their money.
• 64% say Google reviews are their most trusted source of online feedback.
• 93% of people say online reviews influence their purchasing decisions.
• 53% of consumers expect businesses to have at least a 4-star rating before they consider using them.

Good reviews can make a real difference:

• They help you get found. Google factors reviews into its local search algorithm. Businesses with a strong review profile are more likely to show up in Google’s Local Pack or map results, which can drive a significant portion of local traffic.
• They build confidence. Seeing real people describe positive experiences makes it easier for new customers to trust you.
• They drive conversions. 58% of consumers are willing to travel further or pay more to visit a business with better reviews.

At the same time, too many perfect reviews can feel suspicious. Shoppers trust a business more when they see a few negative reviews alongside mostly positive ones. A healthy mix signals authenticity. What matters most is keeping a steady flow of fresh, honest feedback and handling complaints with professionalism when they appear.

A steady flow of positive reviews helps balance out occasional negatives. If you’re looking for ways to encourage more happy customers to share feedback, check out these clever ways to ask for reviews.

Can businesses delete Google reviews?

Many business owners wonder if they can simply remove a review that’s negative or unfair. The short answer is: no, businesses have no direct option to delete reviews from their Google profile.

• Only two parties can delete a negative Google review: the person who originally wrote it or Google itself (if the review violates its policies).
• Google doesn’t give businesses a “delete” button, even for reviews that seem unreasonable or inaccurate.
• This approach is intentional. Google wants its review system to reflect real customer experiences. Allowing businesses to remove unfavorable reviews freely would risk undermining trust in the platform.

Even when a review feels unfair or damaging, Google’s stance is that reviews should remain unless the review violates Google’s guidelines. A negative opinion, even if harsh, isn’t enough to qualify for removal.

For business owners, this can feel frustrating, but it’s designed to keep reviews balanced and credible in the eyes of consumers. That’s why learning how to manage reviews, rather than trying to erase them, matters so much.

Reviews eligible for removal (policy violations)

While businesses can’t remove reviews simply because they’re negative, Google does allow certain reviews to be taken down if they break specific content policies. Find out what qualifies for removal.

Spam and fake content

Google wants reviews to reflect real experiences from actual customers. When reviews come from people who never interacted with the business, they fall into the spam category. This includes situations where:

• Someone leaves a review without ever using your product or service.
• Automated bots generate reviews, either positive or negative, to manipulate ratings.
• Competitors attempt to harm your reputation by posting fake negative reviews.
• Third-party services sell positive reviews, offering fake praise from accounts that have no connection to your business.
• Multiple reviews come from the same user or from accounts clearly created solely for posting reviews, which often indicates coordinated fake activity.

These types of reviews don’t offer useful feedback to potential customers and violate Google’s guidelines.

Suppose you see reviews that seem suspicious, like sudden bursts of reviews from accounts with no profile photo, no review history, or identical wording across multiple businesses. In that case, they’re strong candidates for removal. Businesses can flag these reviews, and if Google’s system detects patterns of inauthentic behavior, it may remove them automatically, even without a report.

Offensive or hate speech

Google prohibits any review that crosses the line into personal attacks or discriminatory language. Reviews should focus on a customer’s experience with the business, not on insulting individuals or groups. Reviews violate this policy when they include:

• Direct threats of violence or harm toward the business, its staff, or other customers.
• Harassment, bullying, or targeting specific individuals with personal insults.
• Discriminatory remarks or slurs based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic.
• Content that promotes hatred, intolerance, or bigotry against any group.

Even if a customer had a genuinely bad experience, resorting to offensive language or personal attacks makes the review eligible for removal. Reviews are meant to provide honest feedback, but not at the cost of crossing basic standards of decency and respect. If you come across a review containing any form of hate speech or abusive language, you can report it immediately. Google typically treats these cases seriously and reviews them promptly.

Profanity or explicit content

Google expects reviews to stay appropriate for a general audience. Even when customers are frustrated, reviews should avoid crossing into vulgar or explicit territory. Reviews may be removed if they include:

• Excessive profanity or vulgar language that goes beyond casual frustration.
• Sexual content or suggestive language unrelated to the business experience.
• Graphic or detailed descriptions of violence, injuries, or other disturbing content.
• Obscene jokes, crude comments, or content that could make the review inappropriate for all audiences.

While mild expressions of frustration (like “this was awful” or “a complete disaster”) are allowed, reviews packed with offensive or graphic language cross the line. These types of reviews not only violate Google’s policies but also create an uncomfortable experience for anyone reading your business profile. If you spot reviews containing explicit content, you can flag them for removal.

Personal information

Google reviews are meant to focus on the customer’s experience with a business, not to expose private details about individuals. Reviews that share personal information violate privacy standards and can be flagged for removal. This includes:

• Full names of employees, customers, or private individuals (unless that information is already public and relevant to the review).
• Phone numbers, home addresses, email addresses, or any contact details.
• Credit card numbers, bank account information, or other financial data.
• Health information, medical details, or any sensitive personal records.
• Internal business information that isn’t public, such as employee schedules, personal disputes, or private business dealings.

Publishing personal information in reviews can expose people to harassment, identity theft, or safety risks. If you see a review that includes private data about you, your staff, or anyone else, you should report it right away. Google takes privacy breaches seriously and typically removes these reviews quickly.

Conflict of interest 

Google wants reviews to reflect genuine customer experiences, not opinions from people who have a personal connection to the business. When reviews come from individuals who might benefit from leaving either positive or negative feedback, they’re considered conflicts of interest. This includes:

• Business owners or staff members leaving positive reviews for their own business.
• Employees (current or former) posting reviews, whether positive or negative, based on internal experiences rather than customer service.
• Friends, family members, or anyone personally connected to the business is trying to boost ratings.
• Competitors are leaving negative reviews to damage a rival’s reputation.
• Coordinated reviews coming from people who have been incentivized or compensated to leave feedback.

Google’s review system relies on real, unbiased customer input. When feedback comes from people with a financial, personal, or competitive interest, it undermines trust. If you suspect that a review comes from someone closely tied to your business (or a competitor’s), you can flag it under this policy. Google typically investigates these situations carefully, especially if there’s a clear pattern or evidence.

Off-topic content

Google reviews should focus on a customer’s direct experience with the business. When reviews wander into unrelated topics, they fall outside Google’s guidelines. Off-topic reviews include:

• Political opinions, social commentary, or personal views unrelated to the service or product provided.
• General complaints about issues that have nothing to do with the business (e.g., city policies, traffic, local regulations).
• Reviews meant for a different business were accidentally posted on your listing.
• Personal stories or unrelated experiences that don’t mention any actual interaction with your business.
• Public debates or arguments that use the review section as a platform for personal opinions not tied to a transaction or visit.

For example, if someone leaves a one-star review because of parking rules set by the city, not something controlled by your business, it would likely qualify as off-topic. Or if someone mistakenly leaves feedback about a completely different company, that too can be flagged. Google aims to keep reviews focused on real customer experiences directly connected to your business activity.

Promotional spam

Google reviews are meant to help potential customers learn about real experiences, not serve as free advertising space. When reviews start promoting other businesses, products, or services, they fall under promotional spam. This includes:

• Reviews that contain ads for unrelated products or services.
• External links direct readers to other websites, businesses, or social media pages.
• Reviews encouraging customers to use a competitor instead (“Don’t go here, try XYZ company instead”).
• Discount codes, sales pitches, or affiliate links embedded in review text.
• Reviews left in bulk by companies or bots hired to artificially promote or discredit businesses.

These kinds of reviews don’t provide useful information for people trying to make a decision. Instead, they clutter your profile with irrelevant or misleading content. If you spot reviews that include advertising, links, or any clear attempt to promote something unrelated to your business, you can report them for removal under this policy.

Illegal content

Google doesn’t allow reviews that reference or promote anything illegal. Reviews should focus on legitimate customer experiences, not criminal activity or content that breaks the law. Reviews may be removed if they include:

• References to drug use, illegal substances, or trafficking.
• Descriptions that encourage violence, threats, or criminal behavior.
• Promotion of illegal services or activities.
• Content related to fraud, scams, or financial crimes.
• Mentions of weapons, dangerous activity, or anything that could pose safety risks.

Even if the review includes some feedback about the business, any content that promotes or encourages unlawful behavior violates Google’s policies. If you notice a review containing illegal references or encouraging criminal actions, report it immediately. Google typically removes these types of reviews quickly due to their seriousness.

Copyrighted material

Reviews are expected to be original and written by the person posting them. Copying content from other sources without permission violates copyright rules. This includes:

• Copying text from another website, article, or business page and pasting it into a review.
• Using images, logos, or graphics that belong to someone else without authorization.
• Plagiarizing content from other reviewers or businesses, including fake reviews copied across multiple locations.

Even if the review describes a real experience, using someone else’s copyrighted material makes it ineligible. Reviews should reflect personal experiences in the reviewer’s own words. If you see a review that includes stolen content or copied material, you can flag it for violating Google’s copyright policy. In some cases, Google may request additional documentation to verify the copyright claim before removing the content.

One more thing: while looking for shortcuts is tempting, buying Google reviews comes with serious risks and can backfire, making proper review management even more critical.

How to flag and request review removal

When a review clearly violates Google’s policies, you can report it for removal. There’s no guarantee it will be taken down, but Google will review the case and decide. Find out how to flag a review.

1. Flag a Review via Google Maps

Reporting a review through Google Maps is simple and one of the most direct ways to submit a removal request. Here’s how:

1. Open Google Maps on your desktop or mobile device.
2. Search for your business by name to open your Google Business Profile.
3. Scroll down to the Reviews section and locate the review you want to report.
4. Next to the review, click or tap the three vertical dots (or in some versions, you may see a small flag icon directly).
5. Select Flag as inappropriate.
6. You’ll be asked to choose a category that describes why you’re reporting the review, for example:
   • Spam
   • Hate Speech
   • Conflict of Interest
   • Harassment
   • Off-Topic
   • Other violations
7. Submit the report and follow any additional on-screen steps.

Once submitted, Google’s team will review the flagged review to determine if it violates any policies. Flagging doesn’t guarantee removal, but if the review clearly breaks Google’s guidelines, there’s a strong chance it will be taken down after review.

2. Flag a Review via Google Search

You can also report reviews directly from Google search results without opening Google Maps. Here’s how:

1. Open Google Search on your desktop or mobile device.
2. Type your business name exactly as it appears on Google.
3. On the search results page, your Google Business Profile will appear, usually on the right side of the screen on desktop, or at the top on mobile.
4. Scroll down to the Reviews section.
5. Find the review you want to report.
6. Click or tap the three vertical dots (menu icon) next to the review.
7. Select Report Review from the menu.
8. Follow the steps to choose the reason for reporting and submit your request.

Once submitted, Google will review the flagged review and decide whether it violates any of their content policies. The reporting process is identical to Google Maps, and both routes feed into the same internal review system.

3. Using the Google Business Profile Manager (Desktop Dashboard)

If you manage your business directly through Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), you can review and report reviews right from your dashboard. Here’s how:

1. Go to Google Business Profile Manager at business.google.com and log in to your account.
2. If you manage multiple locations, select the business you want to access.
3. In the left-hand menu, click on Reviews to open a full list of recent customer feedback.
4. Browse through the reviews and locate the one you want to report.
5. Next to each review, you’ll see either a flag icon or a menu option allowing you to report it.
6. Click Flag as inappropriate and complete the reporting form.

Reporting from your dashboard is often the fastest option for businesses that are already actively managing their profile. Once submitted, Google’s review team will evaluate the flagged review and determine whether it violates content policies.

4. Use the Reviews Management Tool (for bulk reporting)

For businesses managing multiple locations or receiving a high volume of reviews, Google offers a centralized option: the Reviews Management Tool. This tool makes it easier to flag multiple reviews and track their status in one place.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Visit Google’s Reviews Management Tool at support.google.com/business/reviews-tool (sign in with your Google Business Profile account).
2. Select the business location you want to manage.
3. You’ll see a list of recent reviews for that location.
4. Review each item and choose which reviews you want to flag.
5. Submit your removal requests for any reviews you believe violate Google’s content policies.
6. After submission, you can track the status of each flagged review if it’s still under review, approved for removal, or rejected.

The Reviews Management Tool is really useful for businesses with multiple locations, franchises, or chains. Instead of reporting reviews one by one through Google Search or Maps, you can manage all review reports from one dashboard and easily monitor Google’s decisions.

A few things to keep in mind:

• One report is enough. You don’t need dozens of people flagging the same review. Google’s system doesn’t prioritize based on the number of reports (it looks at whether the review breaks their rules).
• Appeals are possible. If Google reviews your request and decides not to remove the review, you can submit an appeal with additional information. This gives you one more chance to explain why you believe the review violates policy.

Why do reviews disappear automatically?

Sometimes a review vanishes without you reporting it. Here are the most common reasons reviews disappear on their own.

1. The reviewer deleted it

Sometimes a review disappears simply because the person who posted it decided to take it down. Reviewers have full control over the content they leave on Google and can:

• Edit their review to update their feedback.
• Change their rating (for example, adjust from 1 star to 4 stars after an issue gets resolved).
• Delete the review entirely if they no longer want it visible.

There are many reasons why someone might remove their own review. They may have second thoughts after calming down, feel that their issue was resolved, or no longer feel comfortable leaving public criticism. In some cases, a reviewer may delete all their past reviews when cleaning up their Google account activity. When a reviewer deletes a review, it disappears immediately from your business profile without any notice or notification.

2. Google’s spam filter flagged it

Google uses automated systems to monitor review activity and detect content that may be fake, manipulated, or violate platform rules, even if no one reports it manually. If the system flags a review as suspicious, it may be automatically removed. This can happen when:

• A reviewer posts multiple reviews for different businesses in a very short period.
• The review content appears copied, repetitive, or follows patterns often seen with fake or purchased reviews.
• The account posting the review shows little or no other activity, raising suspicion of a newly created fake account.
• The review contains certain keywords or links commonly associated with spam or promotional content.
• Google’s algorithms detect coordinated efforts (for example, multiple fake reviews from different accounts targeting the same business).

In many cases, businesses don’t even realize a spammy review was posted because Google’s filters catch and remove them quickly. But sometimes, these filters may also accidentally remove legitimate reviews that happen to trigger certain automated signals. Unfortunately, when this happens, Google often doesn’t notify the business or the reviewer — the review simply disappears from public view.

3. Technical or profile issues

Sometimes reviews disappear not because of any policy violation or deliberate action, but due to technical problems on Google’s side. These cases are less common but can still happen, even when:

• Your business listing is temporarily suspended or deactivated due to verification issues or policy violations.
• Major updates are made to your Google Business Profile, such as changes to your business name, address, or category, which can occasionally disrupt how reviews are displayed.
• Syncing problems occur between Google’s servers, temporarily hiding some or all of your reviews.
• System maintenance or internal data cleanups accidentally impact certain reviews, particularly if Google detects suspicious review patterns during algorithm updates.

In many cases, once the technical issue is resolved, the missing reviews will automatically reappear on your profile. However, there are situations where some reviews may not be restored, for example, if Google’s internal systems flagged them as potentially problematic during these processes.

Unfortunately, businesses usually aren’t notified when reviews go missing due to technical reasons, which can create confusion. If you notice reviews disappearing unexpectedly, especially after making profile changes, it may be worth contacting Google Business Profile support to investigate.

Handling reviews you can’t delete (6 steps)

Most negative reviews don’t break any policies, but they’re just unhappy customers sharing their experience. Since these reviews usually stay up, it’s important to know how to handle them.

1. Respond professionally

A calm, polite response shows other customers that you take feedback seriously. Acknowledge the issue, apologize if needed, and explain any steps you’re taking to fix the problem. Even if you can’t change that customer’s mind, your response speaks to everyone else reading the review.

2. Call out mistakes (carefully)

If a review seems to be about the wrong business or includes claims that don’t match your records, you can gently point this out. For example:

“We couldn’t find any record of this visit, but we’d be happy to look into it if you reach out directly.”

This lets future readers know there may be more to the story, without sounding defensive.

3. Encourage updates

If you’re able to resolve the situation with the customer, you can politely ask if they’d consider updating or removing their review. Customers can edit their reviews anytime, and many are willing to revise their feedback after a positive resolution.

4. Learn and improve

Negative reviews often highlight real problems. If you start noticing the same complaints appearing regularly, it’s a sign that something needs attention, if it’s customer service, product quality, or internal processes.

5. Solicit positive reviews

A strong flow of recent, positive reviews helps balance out the occasional negative one. Ask satisfied customers to share their experience, ideally soon after a successful transaction or visit. The more happy reviews you collect, the less impact a few bad ones will have.

6. Stay consistent

Make review monitoring part of your regular routine. Responding quickly, even to positive reviews, shows that you’re engaged and care about customer feedback. Over time, this creates a stronger overall reputation.

When you can’t delete negative comments, a thoughtful response makes all the difference. We share examples of positive review responses you can adapt.

Can you disable Google reviews or block reviewers?

Sometimes businesses wonder if there’s a way to turn off reviews entirely or prevent certain people from posting. In most cases, neither option is available.

You can’t turn off Google reviews while your business is listed

If your business is active on Google, reviews are part of the listing. Google doesn’t offer an option to hide or disable reviews for businesses that are open and operating. The only way reviews would no longer show is if you permanently remove your business listing, which would also make your business much harder to find in search results.

You can’t block specific individuals from leaving reviews

Google doesn’t give businesses control over who can leave a review. As long as someone has a Google account, they can submit feedback. Even if you’ve had conflicts with a person in the past, you can’t prevent them from posting a review.

Severe abuse may be handled by Google

In cases where someone is harassing your business with repeated fake reviews, using multiple accounts, or clearly violating Google’s policies (for example, personal threats or coordinated attacks), you can report this behavior. Google may take action against accounts that repeatedly abuse the system, but these situations typically require clear evidence and may take time to resolve.

Legal action for Google reviews

For most businesses, legal action isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when dealing with a bad review. But in some rare cases, it becomes part of the conversation when reviews go beyond basic criticism and start causing serious damage.

Legal removal is only possible with solid legal grounds

Reviews that include false statements of fact, personal attacks, or reputational damage may qualify as defamation. But you need to distinguish between someone expressing a negative opinion (“the food was terrible”) and making a false factual claim (“they stole my credit card number”). Only the latter might meet the legal threshold for defamation.

In extreme situations, you may need to obtain a court order confirming that a review is defamatory or unlawful. Google generally requires clear legal documentation before removing content based on legal claims.

Legal action is complicated, slow, and expensive

Filing lawsuits over online reviews can be a long process. You’ll need legal representation, potentially subpoena Google to identify anonymous reviewers, and prepare for months or even years of proceedings. Legal outcomes aren’t guaranteed, and courts often protect people’s right to share opinions, even harsh ones.

Often not worth the risk

Legal disputes around reviews sometimes attract unwanted attention. Lawsuits can draw media coverage, trigger more negative reviews, or create a perception that your business tries to silence critics. In many cases, the reputational damage from the lawsuit itself ends up worse than the original review.

Legal action should always be a last resort

For most businesses, it’s more productive to focus on building a strong reputation, encouraging positive reviews, and responding professionally to criticism. Legal steps make sense only in extreme scenarios, for example, coordinated smear campaigns, ex-employees posting lies, or competitors faking damaging reviews, and even then, only after exhausting all other options.

How Center AI can help you manage Google reviews (even when you can’t delete them)

You might not be able to remove reviews directly from Google, but that doesn’t mean you have no control. A big part of managing your online reputation is staying organized, responding quickly, and building a strong foundation of positive feedback over time. Center AI helps with exactly that.

See everything in one place

Reviews can show up across multiple platforms: Google, Facebook, Yelp, and others. Instead of logging into each account separately, Center AI pulls them all into a single dashboard. You can monitor new reviews as they arrive, no matter where they’re posted, and keep track of your entire online reputation without constantly switching between tabs.

Spot patterns with AI-powered sentiment analysis

As reviews add up, it can be hard to notice recurring issues. Center AI analyzes review content automatically, tagging feedback as positive, negative, or neutral. It also highlights common topics that keep coming up, like customer service, pricing, or wait times, so you can quickly identify areas where customers are consistently satisfied or frustrated.

Get notified immediately

When a new review appears, especially a negative one, timing matters. Center AI sends real-time notifications so you can respond while the conversation is still fresh. The sooner you acknowledge feedback, the better your chances of resolving problems and showing others that you take customer experiences seriously.

Respond faster (and stay consistent)

Writing responses for every review takes time. Center AI suggests personalized replies based on what customers wrote. You can edit, approve, or fully automate replies for common situations. For businesses receiving lots of reviews, bulk reply tools help you stay on top of engagement without falling behind.

Generate more positive reviews

One of the best ways to balance occasional negative reviews is to keep a steady flow of new positive feedback. Center AI and its Local Review Booster Boost automates review requests by reaching out to customers after a purchase or visit, through email or SMS. This helps maintain a healthy review profile, which plays a role in Google’s local search ranking.

Prevent some negative reviews before they happen

Not every unhappy customer wants to share their complaints publicly. Center AI offers private feedback options, giving customers a way to reach out directly first. This gives you a chance to resolve issues privately before they turn into damaging public reviews.

Track your progress over time

Beyond monitoring individual reviews, Center AI provides performance tracking: how your average rating changes, how quickly you respond, how many new reviews you’re getting, and how you compare to similar businesses. Over time, you get a clear view of how your reputation is improving, even if you can’t remove every bad review.

Trying to keep up with multiple platforms? Here’s a full guide on the best review management software to simplify monitoring and responding.

FAQs about fleeting Google reviews 

Can a business delete my Google review?

No. Businesses can’t remove reviews from their Google profile. Only the person who wrote the review or Google itself can delete a review, and only if it violates Google’s policies.

Why are my Google reviews disappearing?

Reviews may disappear for a few reasons. The person who posted it might have deleted it. Google’s automated spam filters sometimes remove reviews that look suspicious or fake. Occasionally, technical issues like listing suspensions or profile changes can temporarily hide reviews, though they usually return once things are fixed.

How many reports does it take to delete a review?

Just one valid report is enough for Google to review a flagged review. The number of reports doesn’t make a difference. If the review violates Google’s policies, it can be removed even after a single report. If it doesn’t break any rules, no amount of reporting will get it taken down.

Can a business block me from reviewing?

No. Businesses can’t prevent specific people from leaving reviews. As long as you have a Google account, you can leave feedback. If a business believes your review breaks the rules, they can report it to Google, but they can’t block you directly.

How can I delete or edit my review?

You can change or remove any review you’ve written. Log into your Google account, find your reviews (usually under “Your Contributions” in Google Maps), and either edit or delete the review as you like.

How long does the removal take?

Once a review is flagged, Google usually takes a few days to several weeks to review it. Some reports are handled quickly, but more complex cases or appeals may take longer.

Will the reviewer know who reported them?

No. Google doesn’t reveal who flagged a review. If a review is removed, the reviewer may get a generic notice saying their content violated policies, but they won’t see who submitted the report.

Do reviews expire?

No. Google reviews don’t expire or disappear automatically over time. Older reviews may show up less prominently as newer ones are posted, but they remain part of the business’s review history unless they’re removed for policy reasons.

For businesses serious about building a long-term reputation, review generation strategies can help create a strong base of recent, authentic feedback.

Does deleting my business listing erase reviews?

Not really. If you permanently remove your listing, the reviews won’t show publicly, but they’re still tied to your business in Google’s system. If you later reinstate your listing, those reviews may reappear.

What if a competitor posts fake reviews?

If you suspect a competitor is behind fake reviews, document as much evidence as possible — timing, patterns, and any signs the reviewer isn’t a real customer. Flag the review through Google’s reporting tools. If it’s part of a larger pattern, you can contact Google support and escalate the issue for further investigation.

Stay on top of your Google reviews

While bad Google reviews can feel frustrating, understanding how Google handles inappropriate reviews gives local businesses a better chance to protect their online reputation. Not every negative comment qualifies for removal, but when a review complies with Google’s policies, it stays. That’s why it’s important to know which reviews are eligible for the review removal process when dealing with fraudulent reviews, personal rants, or reported previously flagged content.

Using your Google business account, you can monitor all your reviews, flag problems directly from your Google search step, and manage requests efficiently. After submitting, don’t forget to click submit to complete the request, and if needed, escalate through support.

Even when you can’t remove negative comments, staying active with responses and encouraging fresh feedback through follow-up emails helps build trust with future customers. A strong, honest review profile sends a clear signal that you’re listening and committed to improving, which matters just as much as any single review. For a full breakdown of how to build and maintain your business’s online reputation across platforms, check out our online presence management guide.