Google Is Removing Reviews — or so it seemed earlier this year when a noticeable number of Google Business Profile (GBP) reviews vanished overnight. Businesses across various industries reported sudden drops in visible review counts, even though manual checks showed the reviews were still present. For instance, a profile that once displayed 1,000 reviews might now show only 990, despite still hosting all 1,000 upon closer inspection. This suggested a display issue rather than actual deletion. Soon after, a Google representative confirmed the problem, explaining it was a bug affecting how review counts were shown. Google assured users that no reviews had been removed and that a fix was in progress.
But Some Damage Might Be Permanent
Despite Google’s reassurances, many business owners reported reviews that were permanently missing—often positive and legitimate ones. Some believe this is part of a broader effort where Google Is Removing Reviews suspected of being fake or incentivized. Unfortunately, Google rarely provides specific reasons for removal. Instead, users receive generic messages citing possible violations like spam, conflicts of interest, or inappropriate content. This lack of transparency leaves businesses in the dark, unsure of what triggered the removal.
More Than a Glitch — A Sign of What’s Coming
This wasn’t an isolated incident. A similar issue occurred late last year, when a wave of reviews vanished from thousands of Google Business Profiles. A deeper analysis showed that over 70% of the removed reviews were five-star ratings—pointing to a likely effort by Google to eliminate potentially inauthentic praise. Google Is Removing Reviews using AI-driven systems that flag unusual patterns, such as sudden spikes in positive ratings or repetitive language. Surprisingly, even one-star reviews were affected, possibly due to flagged wording or policy violations. The reviews that remained were mostly two to four stars, suggesting that Google’s algorithm favors more balanced, natural-sounding feedback as credible.
The Real Impact on Local Businesses
Online reviews are the digital version of word-of-mouth marketing — and they carry immense weight in local search results. When reviews disappear, the effects can be damaging:
Lower Visibility in Search Results:
Reviews are a crucial factor, and making local SEO mistakes—like ignoring disappearing reviews—can lead to reduced rankings, lower visibility, and a drop in traffic and conversions.
Erosion of Customer Trust:
Potential customers rely on review volume and sentiment to judge a business. Sudden changes may cast doubt on your credibility.
Loss of Social Proof:
A business that once looked established and popular may suddenly appear less trustworthy than competitors with higher review counts.
5 Ways to Safeguard Your Google Reviews
While you can’t control Google’s algorithm updates, you can take proactive steps to protect your business’s online reputation and review credibility. Here’s how:
Track Your Review Count Regularly
Make it a routine to monitor the number of reviews shown on your Google Business Profile. Sudden drops in visible reviews or discrepancies between manual and displayed counts could signal a bug or algorithmic filtering. By staying alert, you can take timely action and prevent small issues from becoming bigger problems.
Encourage Genuine Customer Feedback
After every successful transaction or service, ask your customers to leave honest feedback based on their real experiences. Ensure this process feels natural and not forced. Avoid offering discounts or freebies in exchange for reviews—this is against Google’s review policy and may lead to review removal or penalties. Instead, focus on providing excellent service that motivates people to share their satisfaction voluntarily.
Engage with Reviews Actively
Replying to both positive and negative reviews demonstrates that your business values customer input and is committed to transparency. Timely responses show that you’re engaged, reliable, and responsive. This type of authentic engagement can positively influence how your business is perceived by customers and Google’s algorithm, which rewards active profile management.
Report Disappearing Reviews Promptly
If you notice missing reviews that were previously visible—and you’re confident they were legitimate—reach out to Google Business Profile Support. In many cases, these reviews may have been mistakenly flagged by automated systems and can be reinstated after manual review. Document any review losses with screenshots or backup logs to strengthen your case during support requests.
Use Multiple Platforms for Reviews
While Google is a dominant platform, it shouldn’t be the only one you rely on. Encourage your customers to leave feedback on a variety of reputable platforms, such as Yelp, Facebook, TripAdvisor, Trustpilot, or niche-specific review sites related to your industry. A diverse review presence ensures that even if one platform experiences a disruption, your reputation remains strong and accessible elsewhere.
Why Google Keeps Changing Its Review Filters
This is not the first time Google Is Removing Reviews due to changes in its review moderation system—and it likely won’t be the last. The company is constantly refining its algorithms to detect and eliminate fraudulent or suspicious feedback. Unfortunately, false positives do occur, meaning even genuine customer reviews can be mistakenly flagged. This makes it crucial for businesses to prioritize consistent, ethical review-building strategies across all platforms.
What to Do If Your Reviews Disappear
If you’ve recently noticed that some of your Google reviews have gone missing—either partially or completely—it’s essential to take immediate action. Whether it’s a glitch, algorithm update, or moderation error, you can follow the steps below to report the issue and increase your chances of getting those reviews reinstated.
Go to Google Business Profile Help
Start by visiting the official Google Business Profile Help Center, where support for all GBP-related issues is managed. This is the first step in accessing help for missing or removed reviews.
Choose Your Business Listing
Log into the Google account associated with your business and select the correct profile from your list of managed businesses. It’s important to ensure you’re reporting the issue under the affected listing.
Describe the Issue Clearly
In the help prompt or support form, type “Google Reviews Missing” as your issue. From the dropdown options or suggestions that appear, select the most relevant category — such as “Missing reviews” or “Incorrect review count.” This helps Google direct your request to the appropriate support team.
Fill Out and Submit the Email Form
You’ll be presented with an option to submit an email for support. Click it and provide all necessary details in a clear, concise manner. Be sure to include:
- Your full business name
- The affected Google Business Profile link
- The estimated number of reviews that disappeared
- Names of missing reviewers or snippets of review content (if known)
- Approximate dates the reviews were posted
The more specifics you provide, the easier it will be for Google’s team to understand and investigate your case.
Watch for Email Replies
Once submitted, keep a close eye on your email inbox, including spam or promotions folders. Google typically takes 1 to 3 weeks to respond, depending on case complexity. A delay doesn’t necessarily mean your issue is being ignored—review cases are often manually reviewed.
Respond Promptly to the First Email
You may initially receive an automated reply with general help articles or advice. Don’t stop there. Respond to the email politely but clearly, explaining that the suggested resources didn’t resolve your issue and that you need further assistance. This follow-up is essential to get your case escalated to a real support representative—especially in cases where Google Is Removing Reviews without a clear explanation.
Supply Additional Details if Requested
If the support agent responds, they might ask for further proof, such as:
- Screenshots of the missing reviews (if available)
- A list of reviewer names
- Evidence that the reviews were legitimate and not incentivized
If you don’t have this information, explain the nature of your business and why retrieving specific reviewer data may be difficult. Honesty and transparency can go a long way here.
Follow Up Again if Necessary
If you don’t hear back within the expected time frame, it’s completely appropriate to follow up with a polite reminder. Persistence—when done professionally—often improves your chances of getting a resolution.
Pro Tip: Always maintain a respectful, professional tone in all correspondence with Google. Avoid aggressive or emotional language. Provide as much detailed and accurate information as you can. While some reviews may be gone permanently due to guideline violations, many have been restored after consistent and thorough follow-up.
You Can Also Try the Google Community Forum
Another route is to post in the official business forum. Describe your problem, and you might receive help from product experts or others facing similar issues. While this doesn’t guarantee a solution, it’s another useful channel to pursue.
Don’t Wait — Take Charge of Your Review Strategy
Whether your reviews were lost due to a glitch or algorithm update, the lesson is clear: businesses must actively manage and protect their online feedback. The more authentic and diversified your review presence, the less vulnerable you’ll be to unexpected changes.
Build a review strategy that includes:
- Consistently asking real customers for honest reviews
- Staying engaged with customer feedback
- Spreading your reviews across trusted platforms
By doing this, you’ll not only protect your reputation but also strengthen your search presence and customer trust over time.
Final Thought
Google’s systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated at identifying patterns that hint at fake, incentivized, or spammy reviews. This includes sudden surges of five-star feedback, repetitive language, or reviews from suspicious profiles. Google Is Removing Reviews that appear unnatural—even if some are legitimate, which means genuine feedback can get caught in the crossfire. That’s why businesses should avoid shortcuts and focus instead on encouraging honest, natural reviews from real customers. With transparency, consistency, and a little patience, your online reputation can become one of your most valuable assets—no matter how the algorithm evolves.
FAQ’s
Why did my Google reviews suddenly disappear overnight?
While it might feel alarming, sudden review drops often happen due to bugs, algorithm updates, or stricter filtering by Google. In some cases, it’s a glitch in how reviews are displayed—not actually deleted. Still, it’s wise to monitor and report any suspicious loss, especially if it affects your best reviews.
Can I get my lost Google reviews back?
Yes, sometimes. If the reviews were removed by mistake (and didn’t violate guidelines), you can contact Google Business Profile Support. With proper evidence like reviewer names or screenshots, some businesses have successfully had their reviews reinstated. But if Google flags them as violations, getting them back is unlikely.
Why does Google remove real reviews that I know are genuine?
Google uses AI to detect fake or incentivized reviews, but the system isn’t perfect. Reviews that sound overly promotional, come from new accounts, or contain certain flagged words may get caught—even if they’re 100% legitimate. That’s why consistency and natural language are key when encouraging reviews.
Will fewer reviews hurt my local SEO rankings?
Absolutely. Reviews are a core part of local ranking signals. A drop in positive reviews can lower your search visibility, affect customer trust, and even decrease foot traffic or sales. That’s why it’s important to diversify your review sources and stay proactive in maintaining your online reputation.
How can I avoid this from happening again?
You can’t control Google’s filters, but you can create a sustainable review strategy. Ask for honest feedback after real interactions, avoid incentives, monitor your review count regularly, and build your presence across multiple platforms. This layered approach helps cushion any unexpected review losses in the future.