Reading list: Exposing and Deleting Fake Google Reviews: A Step-by-Step Guide
In today’s digital-first economy, a single negative review can harm a brand’s image—especially if it's fake. Whether posted by competitors, disgruntled ex-employees, or even bots, fake Google reviews can mislead customers and impact your search visibility. Fortunately, businesses have options to detect, report, and remove fake google review entries that violate Google's policies.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through the exact process.

Step 1: Identify Suspicious Reviews

Fake reviews are often easy to spot if you know what to look for. Red flags include:

No record of the reviewer being a customer.

Generic names with no profile picture.

Poor grammar or copy-pasted content.

A spike in 1-star reviews within a short period.

Mentioning a competitor by name.

Use tools like Google My Business Insights to correlate reviews with customer interactions, or consider third-party platforms such as ReviewTrackers or Trustpilot’s Business Suite for deeper analytics.

Step 2: Cross-Check Reviewer Details

Click on the reviewer’s name to view their Google profile. If they’ve only posted negative reviews to several unrelated businesses or exclusively posted reviews in a short timeframe, that’s a strong signal of inauthentic behavior.

For example, Google’s own review content policy prohibits content that is spam, fake, or posted to manipulate ratings. Any review violating these rules is eligible for removal.

Step 3: Flag the Review in Google Business Profile

Once you've confirmed that a review is likely fake, take the following steps:

Log into your Google Business Profile Manager.

Navigate to the "Reviews" section.

Click the three vertical dots next to the suspicious review.

Select "Report review".

Choose the most relevant reason (e.g., “Spam,” “Conflict of Interest,” or “Not relevant”).

After submission, Google will review the case. If it violates their policy, the review may be removed in a few days. Unfortunately, Google does not always provide status updates.

Step 4: Escalate Using Google Business Support

If Google doesn’t act on your flag, escalate it:

Use the Google Business Profile Help Center: Navigate to support.google.com/business and click “Contact Us.”

Provide detailed information: reviewer name, review date, your evidence (such as no record of service), and why it violates guidelines.

You may also be able to initiate a live chat or phone support, depending on your region and account history.

Step 5: Encourage Positive Reviews to Balance It Out

While you're waiting for action on a flagged review, it's important to build a buffer of legitimate positive reviews. Ask satisfied customers to leave a review via email or SMS follow-ups. Positive sentiment can dilute the impact of a single fake comment.

Ensure your customer service team is trained to handle real complaints too, so genuine feedback doesn’t spiral into negative press.

Step 6: Consider Legal Action for Defamatory Content

If the fake review includes defamatory content or serious allegations, consult with a legal professional. In extreme cases, you may file a court order which Google must comply with. This process is more involved and typically reserved for reviews that damage your business reputation significantly.

For reference, Google’s Legal Removal Requests page offers information on court order submissions and privacy claims.

Step 7: Use Third-Party ORM Tools

To stay ahead of fake review attacks, consider investing in online reputation management (ORM) tools. Platforms like Birdeye, Yext, and BrightLocal allow for real-time monitoring and instant alerts when a suspicious review appears.

Additionally, working with a professional ORM agency can be a proactive way to keep your Google presence clean and optimized.

Bonus Tip: Stay Informed with Google's Policy Updates

Google regularly updates its content policies to combat new forms of review abuse. Stay current by reviewing their updates on the Google Policy Center. Being aware of changes helps you act faster and smarter when handling suspicious activity.