You probably clicked on this article because you are considering how to remove a Google review. More specifically, how to remove negative Google reviews. After all, 93% of consumers say that online reviews influenced their purchase decisions. This article will help explain Google reviews and benefits, the reasons someone would want to delete a review on Google, and how to go about it.
Table of Contents
What is Google My Business
Google My Business gives you a business listing so you can connect with customers across Google Search and Maps. Additionally, you can keep track of clicks, calls, bookings, and follows to help gauge your business’ activity. You can also post photos, offers, and give customers a platform to communicate with you. With Google reviews, customers can provide you and others significant information about your business. The business reviews would appear next to your Business Profile in Maps and Search, helping your business stand out on Google. If you have some negative reviews you need to address, keep reading to learn how to remove Google reviews.
Google Reviews Best Practices:
- Verify your business. By doing so, your information is able to appear on Maps, Search, and other Google services. Only verified businesses are allowed to respond to reviews.
- Remind customers to leave reviews. Let them know that it’s free and easy. You can also create and share a link that customers can easily click to leave a review.
- Reply to reviews to build your customers’ trust. Your customers will notice that your business values the feedback from customers. Also, if you read and reply to customer reviews, they may be encouraged to leave more later down the road.
Do Google Reviews Matter?
The internet makes it really simple to search up reviews. You can check out a product review on a website; look at restaurant reviews on Yelp; check out movie reviews on websites; or look at all kinds of product and service reviews on Google reviews. People care about what others have to say. Now they’re easier to look up than ever with a simple Google search. A negative Google review can sow doubt and mistrust into other people’s minds. On the other hand, positive Google reviews can increase trust and help your brand reputation, thus increasing sales. Businesses know the strong influence reviews have on a consumer. This is why some businesses would like to find out how to get more Google reviews. On the other hand, this is why some businesses want to know how to remove Google reviews.
Google Reviews Help Local Search Ranking
It is important that customers can find your business on leading search engines such as Google. Google reviews make it easier for customer to find your business. Thus, it makes it easier for potential customers to learn about your business, products and services, and values. Ultimately, they will make a purchase, increasing sales. Therefore, search and SEO are very important. Knowing your SEO basics will help you to increase your rankings.
Google Reviews Increase Trust and Credibility
91% of 18-34 year olds trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. In other words, reviews matter when it comes to establishing trust and a good brand/business reputation. Conversely, negative Google reviews can impact your business because they sow seeds of mistrust, unreliability, and doubt. People tend to trust Google, and therefore trust Google reviews too.
Google Reviews Influence Purchase Decisions
Google reviews can seriously impact people’s purchase decisions. Sometimes people are looking for a little push from others to go ahead with their purchase decision. Positive reviews can bring validation and encourage consumers to finally make that purchase. On the other hand, negative Google reviews can create doubt and make consumers turn to other competitors who have better reviews instead. Why purchase a product from a 3.0 star business when you can have that peace of mind of buying from the 4.9 star competitor? Podium found that “3.3 is the minimum star rating” that consumers would consider.
Provide Customer Feedback
Google reviews serves as a platform in which customers can give positive feedback about your business and what you’re doing right. Additionally, they can provide constructive feedback and tell you what needs to be improved or sometimes even give you solution ideas.
Convert more Customers
Advertising your Google rating on your website will give the customer the assurance that they are buying into a trustworthy, quality business with great products and services. Overall, positive Google reviews help increase sales for your business.
How to Remove Google Reviews
Google reviews provide value to the consumer and can influence their purchasing decisions, thus affecting your business’s trust, reputation, and sales. Whether they are positive reviews or negative reviews, they definitely impact your business. Removing negative Google reviews seems like a very wise decision for your business. There are different ways to delete a review on Google. The approach varies depending if it is an inappropriate or illegal review. If you would like to address the customer’s concerns, hopefully they might remove their negative Google review.
Removing an Inappropriate Google Review
There are certain reviews that Google prohibits like fake reviews and spam. These are the other prohibited reviews that Google will take down:
- Spam and fake content
- Off-topic
- Restricted content
- Illegal content
- Terrorist content
- Sexually explicit content
- Offensive content
- Dangerous & Derogatory Content
- Impersonation
- Conflict of Interest
Removing Google Reviews
- Check Google’s policies and see if the review falls under Google’s prohibited reviews
- Flag the review in your Google My Business account or on your Google Maps business listing
How to remove Google Reviews on a Computer, Phone, or Tablet
- Sign into your Google My Business
- Opening your business listing and click Reviews
- Click on more, then flag as inappropriate
How to Remove Google Reviews on Google Maps
- Open Google Maps on the computer
- Go to your business listing
- Find to review to remove
- Click more, then click flag as inappropriate
Google says to be patient as it can take several business days to assess a flagged item by Google.
Ask the Customer
Although this approach takes more time and effort, it can be very beneficial for your business. When done successfully, the person will delete the negative review and you will have and maybe even convert the customer to your brand. First, you want to consider the customer’s concerns and complaints and see if it is something that can be fixed. After assessing the situation and if the review is not fake, respond to the customer’s review on Google:
- Firstly, recognize the customer’s problem and address it
- Be sympathetic and say something kind
- Lastly, try to fix/correct the situation as soon as possible
Then, just wait. Ideally, the customer responds and you can have a conversation to remedy the situation. After fixing the problem you can nicely ask them to edit or remove their negative Google review. If they do not know how to, you can provide a link for them on how to remove Google review. Usually they oblige, but if not, then the comments sections shows that you tried to address the problem. Hence, this shows that your business cares about the customer experience and did what it could to fix the problem.
Tweet to @GoogleSmallBiz
Perhaps you flagged the review and nothing occurred. Or maybe you responded to the reviewer, but never got a reply back. The final resort would be to complain to Google on a public platform like Twitter. Comments there are public, so it is in Google’s best interest to address concerns on there. Google is too broad, so instead tweet about your specific situation to @GoogleSmallBiz. In addition, you should follow them so they can message you directly regarding your specific problem. Having a link or screenshots can also help.
File a Legal Removal Request
This is the last option to delete a review on Google, but is for rare cases. If it is an illegal review, such as slander against you or your brand for example, Google can remove it. In order to report an illegal review, go to the Content Removal Tool and select Google My Business. Then, Google will ask you questions about the review and your complaint about its content. Google takes the complaints very seriously because they are potentially dealing with illegal activity.
Other Considerations
Google reviews do matter when it comes to your business’s reputation, trust, and ultimately sales. Google and the internet make it very easy for people to write and check reviews on just about anything. Google reviews can be very beneficial, but negative reviews can hurt your business as well. Now you know how to remove negative Google reviews for various scenarios. Although these approaches might not work 100% of the time, you can at least try to reduce the negative impact some reviews can have on your business. In addition, the reviews might be overreacting, lies, or address problems that can be improved. Were some reviews were about your website design? SEO Design Chicago can turn your website goals and visions into reality. Contact us today to get started!
FAQs
- How do I deal with a bad Google review?
- Do Google reviews matter?
- How do you delete a Google review?
- How do I report a fake Google review?
- Is it illegal to delete bad reviews?
Contact Us Today!