When considering a purchase or utilizing a service, potential customers often peruse reviews of your business. They weigh both positive and negative feedback to decide whether to become your new patron.However, what if you encounter unwanted reviews on Google? Is there a method to delete a Google review?This page will outline the process for removing Google reviews from your Google Business Profile. Additionally, we’ll provide steps to address and mitigate negative reviews without outright deletion.For assistance in managing negative reviews, explore our review management services today!
Google does not permit companies to delete negative reviews, as both positive and negative feedback contribute to authenticity. Consumers rely on reviews to inform their purchasing decisions.The only scenario where you might have a negative review removed is if it breaches Google’s review guidelines.You can remove a Google review if it violates any of Google’s review guidelines:
Spam content designed to manipulate rankings
Off-topic posts posed as reviews
Illegal content
Promotion of illegal actions
Terroristic content
Sexually explicit material
Obscene or profane language
Impersonation
Harassment
Should you suspect a review is fake or violates guidelines, Google will verify its legitimacy before taking action. To report a fake Google review, follow these steps:
Access your Google Business Profile account
Select “Reviews” from the left-hand menu
Choose the fake review option
Click on the three-dotted menu in the right corner
Click “Flag as inappropriate”
This process forwards the reviewer’s feedback to Google, allowing them to assess its authenticity or inappropriateness.For a more direct approach to removing fake Google reviews, contact Google directly.
Navigate to your Google Business Profile dashboard and find “Support” in the menu.
From there, you can communicate with Google via phone, chat, or email.
This option enables a faster resolution for review removal.Google will not remove a review if it represents an authentic experience from a genuine user. However, if the review is authentic but not intended for your business, you can still appeal for its removal.For guidance on removing negative reviews, refer to the following section!Removing negative Google reviews is not as straightforward as deleting them. If the reviews are authentic, you must adopt an alternative strategy to “remove” them.The most effective course of action is to address the reviewer and work to resolve the situation.Let’s explore five steps you can take to remove Google reviews posted by others.1. Avoid a negative reactionUpon receiving a negative review, your instinct might be to react negatively. Your passion for your business can lead to emotional responses when faced with criticism.However, the first step in dealing with negative reviews is to avoid a negative reaction.Reacting poorly can only worsen your business’s image. It may be perceived as unprofessional and can raise skepticism about your company.It also implies you’re unresponsive to issues with your products or services. As demonstrated in this example, an angry and passionate response can leave a lasting negative impression on the customer and cause others to view your business negatively.To prevent further negative Google reviews, don’t react negatively to customer feedback.Remember, bad reviews are common and not the end of the world! A mix of positive and negative reviews can actually make your profile more genuine.People trust profiles with a mix of reviews more than those with only five-star ratings, as it suggests authenticity.People care about others’ negative experiences, but they are more concerned with how you handle them.So, take a moment to respond positively to negative feedback. Keep in mind, there are best practices for responding to negative reviews.2. Assess the reviewWhen aiming to remove Google reviews, the first step is to evaluate the review’s authenticity.Occasionally, you may receive fake reviews from competitors or individuals who never engaged with your business. You might also encounter reviews not related to your company, such as a haircut review on a florist’s Google profile! For reviews that seem fake, follow the steps outlined earlier to report and flag them.Even if you believe a review is fake, it’s advisable to draft a response.Removing false reviews can take time, ranging from five days to as many as 20 days. During this period, numerous individuals could view your profile without realizing the review is fake.Whether authentic or fake, examine the review’s content. Attempt to verify that the individual filing the complaint was an actual customer.You may have a record of their purchase journey that can assist you in better understanding their experience.Observe the situation described in the review. Take detailed notes to help you craft a genuine response.After evaluating the negative Google review, you’ll draft your response.3. Craft a sincere and straightforward responseThe next step in removing Google reviews posted by others is to compose an honest reply. Make your customers feel heard. Keep your response concise but acknowledge their problem.It’s also ideal to respond quickly to these reviews.Typically, you’ll want to respond to a negative review within 24 hours of its posting. A prompt response demonstrates a commitment to excellent customer service.Don’t have the time to manage reviews? Utilize review management services to stay on top of and respond to all your reviews.For those managing review responses independently, follow these steps to provide a sincere and straightforward response:
Admit the complaint
To remove Google reviews posted by others, start by acknowledging the claim. Don’t pretend it didn’t happen or that it’s not valid. Not taking responsibility can only increase customer distrust in your company.
Apologize
Even if the fault isn’t yours, apologize for the negative experience. Avoid blaming the reviewer or making accusations. An apology for the defective product or poor experience can go a long way in turning negative reviews into positive ones.
Remember, sometimes, people want you to recognize their issue and feel heard.A simple apology can make a significant difference in showing these customers that you listen to them and acknowledge their negative experiences.
Offer a solution
People expect your company to take action when they have a negative experience. To remove Google reviews that reflect a bad experience, offer a solution to the person’s problem.Whether it’s a solution or reconciliation, you must provide solutions or opportunities to rectify the situation.When you offer solutions, follow up with them!4. Rectify the situationDesiring to remove Google reviews that negatively affect your business requires addressing the underlying issue. This step can be challenging for companies, as it often necessitates evaluating processes, products, or customer service to make improvements.It’s difficult to admit when a problem is your organization’s fault, but if you consistently receive negative reviews about the same issue, it’s time for change.For example, let’s say you’re a coffee mug company that sells insulated travel mugs. Customers purchase them and frequently leave reviews complaining about how the lids never stay on, leading to constant spills.If multiple individuals have the same experience, you need to review and improve your product. This approach can save you time in the long run.In this case, enhancing your travel mug’s lid to ensure a secure closure can lead to fewer negative reviews and potentially more sales. Investing in process or product improvements is well worth it, as it results in a more positive customer experience and a healthier bottom line.This approach also applies if you provide services.If people leave reviews and repeatedly complain about feeling scammed by your pricing, you may need to adjust how you present pricing on your website and to clients.5. Maintain vigilance over your reviewsDesiring to remove negative reviews from Google local requires staying informed about your reviews. You can’t remove Google reviews if you’re not monitoring them. Regularly check your local listing for new reviews.By being proactive about your reviews, you build a stronger reputation for your business.People will see that you take the time to address issues and help solve problems.This vigilance can encourage previously dissatisfied customers to update their reviews, as well, because you’re responsive to their concerns and willing to resolve them swiftly.By staying alert and resolving issues promptly, you can help remove Google reviews that negatively reflect on your business. While this method won’t eliminate all negative reviews, it can help turn dissatisfied customers into satisfied ones.Now that you know how to remove Google reviews, you can begin to take control of your Google Business Profile and work on further optimizing GBP for better ratings. By managing negative reviews and offering solutions, you can transform negative reviews into positive ones for your company.At WebFX, we can assist you in managing your review profile.With a team of over 500 experts, we’ll help you manage your reviews and respond to negative feedback.Our review management services provide everything you need to stay on top of your reviews.Ready to maximize the potential of your Google reviews? Contact us online or call us today at 888-601-5359 to speak with a strategist!
