Why Are My Google Reviews Disappearing? Here's What to Do Next

In today’s digital world, public Google reviews play a crucial role in shaping a business’s reputation. Among them, Google reviews stand out as one of the most influential. Displayed directly on your Google Business Profile, they are often the first thing potential customers see when searching for your business. These reviews can significantly impact how your brand is perceived—either strengthening your reputation or damaging it.

Why Google Reviews Matter

Google reviews go beyond simple testimonials; they are essential assets that can directly affect your business growth. They play a major role in search engine optimization (SEO), helping determine your ranking on Google’s search results. The more positive reviews your business has, the better your chances of appearing higher in search results. Increased visibility leads to more website traffic, greater credibility, and ultimately, more customers.

Questions That Arise

Are disappearing Google reviews just a glitch, or is Google intentionally removing them? Do they violate hidden guidelines, leading to their removal? Or worse, could this be the result of suspicious activity, such as multiple fake reviews coming from the same IP address? The uncertainty is frustrating, and the answers aren’t always clear.

The Impact on Business Owners

For business owners, every lost Google review feels like a hit to their online reputation. These aren’t just missing reviews—they’re missed opportunities to attract potential customers. A disappearing positive review could mean lost business, while the removal of negative reviews might initially seem beneficial but raises concerns about the credibility of your Google business profile.

So, how do you address this issue? What steps can you take to protect your reviews and prevent future removals? Let’s explore the best strategies to safeguard your Google business reviews.

Why Was My Google Review Removed?

In this article, you’ll have a solid understanding of why Google reviews vanish and how to protect your online reputation effectively.

Checklist of Reasons Why Google Reviews Disappear

To summarize, here are some common reasons your Google reviews may be removed:

• Algorithmic filters – Google’s system automatically flags and removes suspicious reviews.
• Manual removal by Google – Reviews that violate guidelines may be deleted by Google’s moderation team.
• Reviewer deleted their review – The person who left the review may have removed it.
• Inactivity on your Google Business Profile – A dormant or inactive profile may lead to reviews being filtered out.
• Regulatory compliance – Reviews may be removed due to legal or regulatory requirements.

By understanding these factors, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your Google reviews and maintain your online reputation.

Why are my Google Reviews Being Deleted?

• The Reviewer Didn’t Leave a Star Rating
• Google Disabled Your Listing or Category
• The Review is Flagged as Spam
• The Reviewer’s Google Account is Incomplete or Unavailable
• Google Removed the Review Because It Violated the Guidelines
• Google Flags The Following As In Violation:
  • Reviews that are spam or fake
  • Duplicate reviews that inflate a company’s score
  • Biased or deceptive content (e.g., written by you or someone who works for you)
  • Illegal content (e.g., regarding gambling, firearms, or narcotics)
  • Offensive, dangerous, explicit, derogatory, and threatening content
• Reviews are Promotional in Tone and Content
• You’re Not Active Enough on Google Business
• There’s a Location Issue
• Google Recently Reinstated Your Google Business Profile (Google My Business Account)
• The Reviewer Deleted Their Review
• The Reviewer Left a URL or Phone Number in the Review

What You Can Do About Missing Google Reviews

Steps to Recover Deleted Google Reviews

If your Google reviews have disappeared, don’t panic. There are several actions you can take to address the issue and potentially restore them. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Contact Google Support

The first step is to raise a support case with Google. Provide as many details as possible, including:

• The date and time the review was posted.
• The name of the reviewer (if known).
• Screenshots of the missing review (if available).

This information helps Google assess the situation and determine if the review can be reinstated.

2. Provide Additional Details When Requested

If Google reaches out for more information via email, respond promptly and provide as many details as possible. Supplying thorough and accurate information can increase the likelihood of having your missing reviews restored.

3. Manage Expectations:

Google’s review system is complex, and there’s no guarantee that removed reviews will be restored. Stay patient and allow Google to complete its investigation.

4. Prevent Future Losses:

Educate your customers on Google’s review guidelines to reduce the risk of removal. Encourage them to avoid promotional language and maintain active Google accounts.

5. Expand Your Review Presence:

Relying solely on Google reviews can be risky. Encourage customers to leave feedback on multiple platforms, such as Yelp, Trustpilot, and Facebook, to safeguard your online reputation.

6. Keep a Backup Record:

Maintain a simple spreadsheet to document all received reviews. Even if reviews are removed, you’ll still have a record of valuable customer feedback.

While reaching out to Google for reinstating mistakenly removed reviews is important, your focus should also be on continuously gathering new reviews to strengthen your online reputation.