How to delete a review on Google: The Ultimate Guide

Jul 7, 2022
A person in front of a computer learning how to delete a google review

If Positive Google Reviews are left on behalf of your company, this can lead to an increase in reputation, trust and profitability. If users write poor reviews, you can bet on it to hurt your company's image.

That raises the issue how do you get rid of the negative reviews on Google? If so, how can you accomplish this?

The reason why you might decide to delete a review on Google?

There's a myriad of factors that could lead one to decide to delete a review from Google. But, Google isn't in the business of deleting legitimate reviews, even if they're not favorable to a business.

Reviews have a huge effect on buyers, as nine out of ten people relying on reviews before making a purchase choice. Additionally, reviews are widely believed by customers. A whopping 79 % of people faith in the reviews that they've read. Thus, poor reviews can be potentially catastrophic for businesses.

Google reviews are well valued and are considered an impartial source by a lot of people as well as Google intends to keep it as such. A staggering 59% of users go through Google reviews when looking for information about products or companies.

So why do you have to remove a review that is negative?

To begin reviews that appear to be spammy or inflammatory could harm your business. They could also contain links to services similar to yours (possibly posted by those companies) people who post personal details, or even attacks which may cross the boundary.

The negative or slanderous reviews you write can cause a lot of upset to potential customers. This is especially true in the event that you claim to be unsubstantiated regarding a person, or use explicit or sexually explicit language. If this is the case you must take steps to have a review disqualified by Google.

If you suspect that your rival or person is trying to hurt by posting false or inflamatory reviews on various accounts, you may decide to act and petition Google to remove the bad review.

It is possible to remove the review you've published to Google Left by Someone Else?

It is possible to delete reviews written by a different user on Google. However, there has to be an explanation for the decision to remove. We mean that you're not satisfied with what they have said regarding your company.

A walt disney world review example
A sample of an Google Review for Walt Disney World

Google review removal is permitted only when someone has violated Google's review rules. It means that you need to be able prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that someone has in fact violated the Google guidelines on conduct in reviews.

There's no way to remove reviews you don't like And if the figures are to be believed I would not even think about doing it.

62% of consumers are skeptical of a company who restricts their reviews. Reviews are trusted only because they provide an unbiased perspective of the company perceived by other customers. If customers believe that you're attempting to manipulate the system by blocking reviews, then the entire method is judged to be untrustworthy.

Three main rules Google has set out that can be violated frequently by its users. Although there are other regulations that are in place (which we'll discuss further down the line) the violations of these guidelines are grounds for removal immediately.

First, if someone reviews a post that has conflicts of interest, that is in violation of Google guidelines. It is a case of a company leaving reviews for its own benefit or who received money or another form of compensation to leave reviews or reviews which were directly solicited.

In the next step, you can impersonate. It happens when someone writes reviews pretend to be someone isn't. The person who declares themselves to have a degree within an area (like doctors who specialize in medical devices or a lawyer) but doesn't actually have these certifications.

There are also reviews that are spammy. This includes reviews that include promotional or commercial content. There could be a possibility of who has written the same review several times, or across different product lines.

Report any review you think violates Google's guidelines on conduct and be prepared to support your assertions. If you can prove that the review violates Google's conduct rules, you'll be able to remove these reviews from Google.

How to delete a review which you've posted in Google

Although the procedure for getting rid of comments left by other people could be long and complex, it's far easier to erase something that you've wrote. It's a simple removal procedure that any person can learn.

There is a chance that you're thinking about why someone might want to delete a review they wrote. There's a myriad of reasons behind this.

Maybe it's a post you posted accidentally on your personal Google page. It could be a review that you planned to share with another firm, but mistakenly left your personal Google account open. It could be uncomfortable, especially if the incident can affect the score of your own review. One of the best options is remove the review, before others notice.

The criticism could be of a company you regret getting rid of. Perhaps you weren't happy with something and then the company tried its best to fix its error and made you feel satisfied.

Also, it could be the case that your views on a specific company are changing. There are times when we realize that we've judged a company unfairly, or that our views change with the passage of time.

You could find it to be different. Maybe you wrote a favorable review about a particular firm, but they then did something that soured you. If you do not wish to make use of your review in order in order to improve a company's reputation, it's easy to rectify.

Whatever the cause is, you can follow a straightforward procedure to take down any Google review.

Then, click into Google Maps. The majority of Google reviews reside. After that, you can click the three-line menu to open an array of choices.

An example of how to click on the menu in Google Maps
Click the menu in Google Maps

Choose Your contributions from the menu, and then select reviews..

It will display your reviews that you've written. Select the review you want to erase. Select the menu by clicking three dots.

You'll then be able choose which option to edit or delete the review. In the event that you've changed your opinion about the review and you'd like to submit an opinion which is either positive and/or negative to the business it is possible to edit the review rather than removing the review.

An example of how to delete a Google Review
Eliminate the Google review

If you'd prefer to erase your review completely off the Internet forever, click the Delete review button.

How do you delete a negative review from Google Maps

If you've posted a review in Google Maps that you regret or simply want to take away, you can find a quick and fast solution to your issue. It's the exact procedure we went through.

First, join Google. Once you've done that, you can open Google Maps by going to www.maps.google.com.

The top left corner of the page You can select Menu and it will show the three-line hamburger symbol.

Once you've done that you can click on the icon on the menu that says "Your contributions". In the menu below, you will be able to choose Reviews. It will show review reviews in chronological order.

You can then locate the review or reviews you're looking to remove from your computer. Click on the menu icon with three dots. Select "Delete" to erase the review.

When you're done it will be clear of all reviews that you've left for Google Maps.

How do you delete a Google Review on Google Written by Someone Else

It's always horrifying to see a truly terrible review of your business by people other than you. This could be traumatic on both professional and personal levels, and you might need immediately take action.

The question then becomes can you move in the right direction, and what steps should you do?

We've mentioned it before: Google does not just remove reviews for the sake of hurting your sentiments. There needs to be a rationale behind why Google to take action.

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If there's no law that have been violated, it is your responsibility to reach the writer directly. If they reply in a timely manner, that could be the beginning in beginning a conversation in which it is possible be able to address directly your concerns or even suggest improvements based on their feedback.

In the event that an Google policy has been broken, you can flag the violation or challenge the review alerting Google to the issue.

So the question then becomes what do you need to know about the best time you should review a product? Google offers a variety of reviews based on criteria that can be determined.

Let's go through them each one at a time.

1. Spam, fake or non-sensical content

The term "spam" refers to content that it is clearly marketing or commercial intent.

Google’s definition of spam
"Spam" as Google defines it

It is also possible to decide that content published by the same person repeatedly on various websites as spam.

2. Off-topic and Rants

Review content posted on Google need to be kept relevant and focus on the subject at hand. When there are some reviews where the writer goes away from the topic and then begins to discuss a different topic or subject that is not related, inform Google that they are using your business to serve as a platform for dissemination of an agenda.

This is a clear breach of Google regulations, and is best to remove it.

3. Promotion of illegal actions or items

If the author encourages unlawful actions or items in their reviews, if you come across any illegal or illegal content You can report the content to Google.

It could also include apologies for copying or piracy in content. It could also include references to illicit drugs, or links to websites which allow the purchase of illicit items. If you spot one of these problems in the reviews you read be sure to flag it immediately.

4. Posting Illegal Content

If someone posts any kind of content that is illegal like depictions of drug use or anything that exploits children, you must signal it to Google right away.

Google’s definition of illegal content
Google's definition of content that is illegal

It also includes written documents and pictures.

5. Threats to Terrorism

The threat of violence, or terrorist attacks are clearly a contravention of Google's policies on reviews and related content. Google insists on dealing with these kinds of threats seriously and so should you.

6. Sexually Explicit Language or Content

Anything that is of sexually explicit nature is clearly not in compliance with Google rules. Any reference to anything that's inappropriate or sexual can cause an alert to be flagged.

7. Offensive or offensive content

If someone is using vulgar or offensive language within the review they're violating the Google review rules. That includes lewd statements, racial remarks, homophobic, transphobic vulgarities, as well as anything else that is related to such things.

8. Harassment, intimidation, or the incitement of violence

Nobody is permitted to harass or intimidate someone during the course of the course of a Google review. If someone writes an online review about your business, and they attempt to intimidate you, or even incite violence against the person who's not you, report it.

A screenshot of Google’s definition of dangerous content
Google's definition for content that is dangerous

Google tends to be quick to react to situations like this.

9. Fraudulently impersonating another person

If someone pretends to appear to be an individual, then their review isn't legitimate. Anyone that claims to be the President of the United States can't leave a review about a company which criticizes the company or praise the company. If they do, that's reason enough to remove them or have them removed and you must mark these reviews immediately.

10. Bias or untruthfulness

If you discover blatantly false information in a review you're allowed to flag it to Google.

There is a chance that you will need to prove that the review was done in a fraudulent manner to get an adverse review.

How to flag a review on Google

If you believe that a review about your company is in violation of any from the 10 Google guidelines for conduct It's an appropriate time to make a formal report of this review, and bring it to Google's attention.

The process is simple for making a review flagged.

An example of a Google My Business page
Google My Business page

Step 2. Choose the appropriate company. If you run multiple companies linked with Google, step 2: Google account, ensure that you're using one that has the rating you're looking for.

Step 3. Select Reviews

Step 4: Click on the 3-D menu adjacent to the review you find offending and select "flag it as offensive" for the purpose of notifying Google.

When the review is flagged, it could take several days to Google review the review. This process could be speeded through asking people to flag your review well. If there are more people that flag your review than the Google may take note faster.

If all of this fails, it might be the right time to contact Google Small Business Support.

You can reach the support page by going to www.support.google.com/business.

Once you're on the website then click on to the Contact Us option. After that, type in the reviews of customers as well as pictures. Next, you can select to remove reviews.

Find the Contact Us button on Google Small Business Support
Contact Us button is on Google Small Business Support. Contact Us button is on Google Small Business Support

Choose your preferred communication method. When you've done that, you should receive help within 24 hours.

When Everything else has failed (Tips and Tips and Tricks)

If you come across negative Google reviews, but they haven't broken some guidelines, not everything has gone away. While there aren't any formal steps which you can follow to get rid of the review There are some tried and tested methods you could try and address them.

In the first place, you must publicly address all reviews, whether positive or negative. The process of responding to a favorable review is straightforward, and there's no need to go deep into it. Responding to a negative review can be vital in such instances.

It is crucial to not react defensively or verbally abrasive. Remain humble and thank them for their feedback. Look for a solution to your issue. Do not give them the information you think is not true. Instead, offer apologies for the situation which upset themand then offer an alternative.

If you can resolve the issue and are happy If they are satisfied, you may ask them if they would either take the review off or amend it so that they can note what you did above and beyond to ensure that they were satisfied.

If the person who wrote the review doesn't want to remove the review, you've achieved something positive. You will allow people to examine your response to critiques. They will be able to see how you tried to go over and above in your response to the issue. This can go a long way in getting new clients.

There is also the option to request more reviews from your clients but you need to be cautious in how you handle the process. If you know an individual who had a good experience with a customer and you'd like to tell them they can add a review on Google. Don't ask them for an honest review or even five stars.

Do not attempt to encourage reviews. There is no way to offer customers rewards for positive reviews. This is an absolute violation of the Google rules. If it is found to be a violation by Google, it could punish the user.

Summary

If this is the case, you're within your rights to flag the review and report it for deletion. If the review conforms to the guidelines set by Google, you are able to contact the reviewer and discuss the concerns. If you do this and they agree, you may get back into the good graces of Google and get the review taken down permanently.

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