Consumers often use Google to find the best local businesses for food, services, and entertainment. One major factor they're considering is online reviews. Positive reviews can generate traffic and increase credibility, but negative reviews can significantly damage a company's reputation and customer trust. That's why many business owners want to know how to remove bad reviews from Google My Business.

In this guide, we'll discuss what a Google review is, the steps to flag and report inappropriate reviews, and best practices for dealing with reviews you can't remove.

What is a Google Review?

A Google review is public feedback that customers leave on a company's Google Business Profile. These reviews usually include a star rating (from one to five), written text, and, in some cases, images or videos, and are linked to the reviewer's Google Account, displaying their name and profile picture. This ensures that reviews are transparent and verifiable.

To recognize a real Google review, pay attention to the following features:

• The words “Google reviews” appear at the top of the reviews list.
• There are no references to other company names in the review content.
• A star scale is often displayed, although it is not always immediately visible.

‍Can you Delete a Google Review?

Unfortunately, there is no simple “delete” button to remove negative reviews from GMB. Google only offers two ways to remove a review:

1. The person who posted the review can delete it themselves.
2. The company can “mark the review as inappropriate,” telling Google that the review violates their content policy.

When you flag a review, you must submit a short report explaining why the review is inappropriate. Google will then review the review based on their guidelines, which include things like spam, offensive content, or conflicts of interest.

It's important to note that Google uses automated spam filters to identify and remove reviews that violate their policies. However, these systems are not perfect. Some inappropriate or false reviews can still slip through the cracks, forcing business owners to take action.

‍How to Remove Bad Reviews from Google My Business: Step-By-Step Guide

‍If you're experiencing a negative review that doesn't comply with Google's policies, follow these steps to flag and report the review:

1. Open Google Maps and find your business
   • Visit Google Maps and find your business.
   • Click your business listing to open your Google Business Profile.
2. Find the review on the Google review page
   • Scroll down to the “Google Reviews” section of your profile.
   • Find the review you want to report.
3. Mark the review as inappropriate
   • Click the three vertical dots to the right of the review.
   • Select “Mark as Inappropriate” from the drop-down menu.
4. Choose a reporting option
   • You're asked, “What's wrong with this review?” Choose the option that best describes the problem.
5. Report the review to Google
   • Complete the report and provide your email address for further communication. Google will review your submission and may contact you for additional information.

This process helps ensure that reviews that violate Google's policies are reviewed and, if necessary, removed.

When do You Mark a Google Review?

‍Google's review policy is designed to ensure the integrity of feedback and protect companies from harmful or irrelevant content. Here are some of the common reasons for flagging a review:

1. Off-topic content: Reviews must be relevant to your business and reflect real customer experiences. If a review contains comments that have nothing to do with your products or services, you can report them. For example, a review that discusses a political topic instead of your company offerings is off-topic.
2. Spam: Spam content includes reviews that promote inappropriate services, contain phishing links, or use repetitive language. Google's policy prohibits this behavior to ensure that reviews are informative and authentic.
3. Conflicts of interest: Google wants reviews to remain unbiased. This means that business owners, employees, and competitors are not allowed to post reviews that unfairly influence ratings. If you notice that a review has been written by someone with an interest in manipulating your company's reputation, mark it for deletion.
4. Bad language and offensive content: Any content that is considered obscene, abusive, or offensive violates Google's standards. Reviews containing threats or hate speech should be flagged immediately. For example, a review with offensive comments about your staff is eligible for removal.
5. Bullying or harassment: Negative reviews go too far if they're aimed at specific individuals involved with your business. Reviews containing personal attacks or harassing language directed at owners, employees, or customers must be reported.
6. Discrimination or hate speech: Google strictly prohibits content that contains discriminatory or hate speech against individuals or groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, or religion. Such reviews are grounds for deletion.
7. Personal Information: Reviews that share sensitive information, such as phone numbers, addresses, or financial information, violate Google's privacy rules. If a review contains personal information, mark it to protect those involved.

‍What to Do If You Can't Remove a Negative GMB Review

Sometimes, even after flagging a review, Google may decide that it does not violate its policies and may not remove the review. In such cases, you can still use strategies to limit the review's impact:

• Respond professionally: A well-thought-out response can limit the damage of a bad review. Address the reviewer's concerns, apologize if necessary, and explain how to make improvements. This shows other potential customers that you take feedback seriously and strive for excellent service.
• Encourage positive reviews: Actively ask happy customers to leave positive feedback. A constant stream of good reviews can balance negative reviews and improve your overall rating.
• Keep an eye on your reviews regularly: By monitoring your reviews, you can respond quickly to both positive and negative feedback. Tools like RepManager.ai can help you efficiently manage your online reputation.

Knowing how to remove bad reviews from Google My Business is a valuable skill for any business owner. While it's not always easy to remove reviews, it's crucial to understand Google's policies and how to flag inappropriate content. Even if you can't remove a review, responding thoughtfully and encouraging positive feedback can help maintain your company's reputation. Stay proactive and effectively protect your brand's image. Explore our professional reputation management to simplify the process and strengthen your online presence.