How to Report a Fake Google Review, Step by Step

Before you report: is it actually fake?

Search your records for the reviewer's name and the date they mention. Look at their profile: one review total, or a string of one-star reviews for businesses in your trade, are both red flags. If they really were a customer and are just unhappy, reporting won't help; reply instead.

How to report it

1. Open your Google Business Profile (search your business name on Google or open it in Google Maps while signed in as the owner or a manager).
2. Go to Reviews and find the review.
3. Click the three dots next to it and choose Report review.
4. Pick the reason that actually matches the policy it breaks (spam or fake, off-topic, conflict of interest, offensive, personal information, and so on). The wrong reason is the most common reason a good report fails.
5. Track it in Google's Reviews Management Tool. It shows whether the report is pending, whether the review was removed, or whether it was found not to break policy.
6. If Google decides it doesn't break policy and you have more evidence, you can appeal once from that same tool. Put your best evidence in the appeal; there isn't a second one.

Sources: Google: report inappropriate reviews

Choosing the right reason

• Never a customer, bot, or repeated review: spam or fake content.
• Competitor, current or former employee: conflict of interest.
• About a different business, politics, or the news: off-topic.
• Threats, slurs, bullying: offensive or harassment.
• Someone's phone number, address, or private details: personal information.

Pick the one that fits best. A vague or wrong reason is the most common reason a legitimate report gets rejected.

Sources: Google: prohibited and restricted content

Evidence to save

• A screenshot of the review, with the date and the reviewer's name visible.
• A search of your booking, POS, or invoice records for that name. "No record of this customer" is useful evidence.
• The reviewer's other reviews. Fake accounts often have one review, or a trail of one-star reviews for businesses in the same trade.
• Any messages, calls, or emails tied to the review, especially anything asking for money.
• If it's a competitor or ex-employee: anything that shows the connection. Keep it factual.

After you report it

Check the status in Google's Reviews Management Tool. If Google removes it, you're done. If Google says it doesn't violate policy, you may get one appeal. Read how to use your one appeal before you submit it. While you wait, reply once, calmly, without calling anyone a liar in public.

What not to do

• Don't ask friends or staff to mass-report the review. It doesn't speed anything up.
• Don't post fake positive reviews to bury it.
• Don't pay a company that promises removal.

Sources: FTC: Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule (16 CFR Part 465)