--- title: "How to report and remove a fake Google review" url: https://reviewnudge.app/guides/remove-fake-google-review/ published: 2026-09-29 updated: 2026-09-29 author: "Jack Stovell" author_profile: https://i.hilyt.it/jack publisher: "Adapt Progress Evolve Limited" summary: "Report it from your Business Profile or the Reviews Management Tool, choosing the policy reason that genuinely fits; Google removes only reviews that break its policies, not ones you simply disagree with." language: en-GB --- # How to report and remove a fake Google review > Report it from your Business Profile or the Reviews Management Tool, choosing the policy reason that genuinely fits; Google removes only reviews that break its policies, not ones you simply disagree with. If a Google review is fake, you can report it from your Business Profile, and Google will remove it only if it breaks their content policies. If it's just a bad review you disagree with, reporting it won't help. Below is how to tell the two apart, how to report, and what to write in public while you wait. ## Unfair is not the same as against the rules This is the bit that catches a lot of people out. A review can feel completely wrong to you and still be allowed. Google says not to report a review just because you disagree with it. If someone had a genuinely bad experience, or says they did and it's their honest account, it stays up. Even if you think they've got the story wrong. Even if it stings. Google also doesn't get involved in disputes between businesses and customers. So "he said the wait was ages and it wasn't" is a dispute. "I've never heard of this person and they've never been in" is a different thing entirely, because that points to a review that isn't based on a real experience. That's the question to ask before you touch the Report button: is this review breaking a rule, or am I just fed up with it? Be honest with yourself. (I know, easier said than done at 11pm after a long day.) ## Which reviews Google will remove Google's policies are fairly clear. A review can be removed if it falls into one of these groups: fake engagement, meaning content that isn't based on a real experience, or reviews that were paid for; content posted from several accounts by one person; someone posting on a competitor's listing to undermine it; content based on a conflict of interest, such as competitors, former employees or family; and harassment or hate speech. It also covers offensive content, including unsubstantiated allegations of criminal wrongdoing. Then there's personal information posted without consent, and profanity used to offend. Off-topic rants and general political or social commentary can go too, as can advertising and repetitive content. Notice what isn't on that list. An honest negative experience isn't there. A review that's harsh but genuine isn't there either. One more thing worth knowing: reviews removed for breaking the rules aren't restored. So if Google takes one down, that's final. ## How to report a review There are two routes. Pick whichever you find easier. **From your Business Profile:** 1. Go to your Business Profile. 2. Select Read reviews. 3. Select Report next to the review. 4. Select the reason, for example Spam or Profanity. 5. Select Send report. **From the Reviews Management Tool:** 1. Go to the Reviews Management Tool and confirm the account. 2. Select the business. 3. Select Report a new review for removal. 4. Select Report. 5. Choose the reason. 6. Select Submit. Pick the reason that really fits, not whatever sounds most likely to work. If it's a competitor posting on your listing, or someone who has never been a customer, choose the option closest to that. If your profile has been hit by an extortion scam involving negative reviews, Google has a separate reporting route for that. It exists, so use it rather than the standard report. ## After you report it Now you wait. Google says evaluation typically takes several days, so don't expect an answer by teatime. In the Reviews Management Tool you can see the status of each report. You'll see one of three things: - **Decision pending:** still being looked at. - **Report reviewed, no policy violation:** Google decided the review is allowed to stay. - **Escalated, check your email for updates:** it's gone further, so keep an eye on your inbox. If the review does violate policy, it's removed. If your report is rejected, you can submit a one-time appeal, and you can include up to 10 reviews in that one appeal. It's one shot, so use it properly and make sure you're appealing the ones that genuinely break a rule. Also worth knowing: Google's automated spam detection occasionally removes legitimate reviews by mistake. If a good one vanishes, that could be why. ## What to write publicly while it is up While the review is still showing, other people will read it. A short, calm reply does more for you than you'd think. Before you can reply, your Business Profile has to be verified. Replies are public and show as the business, not as your personal name. Google checks them against its content policies before posting, which is usually up to 10 minutes but can sometimes take up to 30 days. The reviewer is notified when you reply, and they can still change their review afterwards. Google's own tips are sensible. Keep it short, polite and professional. Don't share the reviewer's private information or attack them personally. You can invite them to get in touch by phone, email or in person. Admit mistakes, but don't take responsibility for things outside your control. Sign with your name or initials, reply in good time, and don't use a reply to offer deals or promotions. For a suspected fake, that means: say you can't find a record, invite contact, and leave it there. Never accuse anyone, and never name anyone. Something like this (fictional, obviously): *"Hello, thanks for taking the time to write. We can't find a record of this visit and would like to understand what happened. Please call or email us so we can look into it. Sam"* That's it. No accusations, and no promises you can't keep. There's more on wording in [what to reply to a suspected fake review](/replies/suspected-fake-review/) and [what to reply when a competitor is posing as a customer](/replies/competitor-posing-as-customer/). ## When it will not come down Sometimes it stays. Google decides it doesn't break a rule, the appeal doesn't change anything, and you're left with a review you think is unfair. Then the plan is simple. Reply well, once, calmly. Then get on with running your business. The best thing you can do is keep asking every customer for an honest review. Every customer, not a hand-picked few. Google says businesses must not discourage negative reviews or selectively ask only happy customers, and they mustn't offer payment, discounts or free goods for a review. Never ask friends to write fake ones either: that's fake engagement under Google's policy, and fake reviews are banned under UK consumer protection law too. A steady flow of genuine reviews means one bad one is a smaller part of the picture. If you need a way to ask, the [review request builder](/tools/review-request-generator/), the [Google review QR card maker](/tools/google-review-qr-code/) and the guides on [asking for an honest review](/guides/ask-for-an-honest-review/) and [finding your Google review link](/guides/find-your-google-review-link/) can help. ## Questions people ask ### Can I remove a review just because it's unfair? No. Google only removes reviews that break its policies, and it says not to report a review simply because you disagree. Honest negative experiences stay up. Google doesn't get involved in disputes between businesses and customers, so a review you think is wrong may still be allowed. ### How long does Google take to check a report? Google says evaluation typically takes several days. You can follow the status in the Reviews Management Tool, where it shows as Decision pending, Report reviewed with no policy violation, or Escalated. If it's escalated, check your email for updates from Google. ### What if Google rejects my report? You can submit a one-time appeal, and you can include up to 10 reviews in it. Because you only get one go, check that each review really does break a Google policy before you send it, rather than appealing everything that annoyed you. ### Can I offer a discount if someone deletes their review? No. Google says businesses must not offer payment, discounts, free goods or services for posting, changing or removing a review. Don't pressure customers either. If you think a review is fair, reply politely, invite them to contact you, and leave the decision with them. ## Sources - [Google Business Profile Help: Report inappropriate reviews](https://support.google.com/business/answer/4596773) - [Google Maps: Prohibited and restricted content](https://support.google.com/contributionpolicy/answer/7400114) - [Google Business Profile Help: Tips to get more reviews (includes reply tips)](https://support.google.com/business/answer/3474122) - [CMA: Fake reviews guidance (CMA208), GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fake-reviews-cma208)