Think about the final fourth dimension yous traveled. After you arrived at your destination and checked in at your hotel, what did you do next? If you're like me, y'all probably thought nearly where y'all were going to eat. Merely when y'all're new to an surface area, how do you find a good spot?

Rather than asking the hotel clerk — who's probably a local and has eaten at every identify nearby — most of usa have out our phones and do a quick Google search. Studies show that 82% of customers won't patronize a business until they've read the reviews. And, since Google is the preferred review site for 64% of consumers, that means only one poor review could determine whether or non yous cull to swallow at a eating place.

Every company hopes to receive positive feedback, just the fact is that customers who have poor experiences are more than likely to write an online review. It'due south your client service team's job to proceed track of Google reviews and remove the negative comments that are harmful to your business concern.

In this post, we'll break down what a Google review looks like, how to delete them, and what to do if you tin can't.

Download Now: 20 Review Response Templates

To identify whether the review you're looking at is a Google review or non, look for the following elements:

  • A hyperlink side by side to the star rating reads "Google reviews" or "# Reviews". This link will accept you to private reviews that users have written.
  • In that location are no other company names on the review.
  • A rating scale numbered from ane to five. This won't ever exist visible, merely information technology can assistance y'all recognize a Google review if you run across one.

For example, have a look at the Google review page for HubSpot. You'll notice each of the elements we listed above. This review appears in Google Maps, so it'due south integrated into the Google interface which makes information technology more articulate that it is a Google review.

how to find google reviews

Can you lot delete a Google review?

Unfortunately, Google doesn't offer a simple "delete" option for its reviews. Instead, there are only two ways that a review can exist removed. The person who posted the review tin can delete information technology or your business can "flag the review equally inappropriate." Flagging the review alerts Google that the review is fake or that it doesn't comply with Google's review policies.

Afterward that, you lot'll be guided to the landing folio below where you'll need to complete a cursory report of the issue and submit your email for follow-upwardly communication.

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It'south of import to note that Google has congenital-in spam checkers that automatically analyze a review for inappropriate, irrelevant, or misleading content. While this feature is pretty reliable, inaccurate reviews are sometimes overlooked which can atomic number 82 to negative perceptions of your business.

In this case, yous'll want to accept matters into your own hands and report the review yourself. Here's how to practice that.

1. Open Google Maps and locate your business organisation.

Find the review on the Google reviews page

ii. Notice the review on the Google reviews page.

iii. Click the three vertical dots to the right of the review.

select the option to report the google review

four. Select the choice Report Review.

5. Choose an pick for the question "What's incorrect with this review?".

choose the correct option for "what's wrong with this review?"

vi. Written report the review to Google.

report the google review thank you page

When to Flag a Google Review

According to Google, the topics below are against its user terms and conditions. Therefore, if you observe a review that falls under one of these categories, your squad can asking to remove that content.

Irrelevant Comments

Google wants to make certain its users are getting accurate information about your business. So, if you're seeing comments that don't pertain to your organisation or a customer's experience, y'all should flag these reviews for Google to remove.

Illegal Content

Some businesses provide products or services that are illegal in certain locations. Google accounts for this by prohibiting users from posting reviews that contain links to websites or email addresses that sell illegal products. This also includes images that promote products or special offers.

Inappropriate/Offensive/Explicit Content

Google will remove whatever content that information technology views as "obscene, profane, or offensive." It volition also remove reviews that are threatening or incorporate derogatory comments. If you come beyond any reviews like these, be certain to flag them immediately to protect your brand'south image.

Conflicts of Interest

Google wants its reviews to exist as unbiased as possible. Therefore, you tin can't postal service a review of a visitor that y'all ain or work for. You lot as well can't post a review of your competitor, as this would allow yous to dispense their rating in your favor.

Impersonation

Google values the accuracy of its reviews besides. It doesn't want to misrepresent a business or provide deceptive content to its users. Because of this, all Google reviews must be published past the person writing the review. You lot can't publish the review on someone's behalf or pretend to be someone else when submitting your review.

Disadvantages of Reporting a Google Review

Equally you tin can imagine, this process is slow and doesn't guarantee that your review will be removed. And, even if Google does decide to remove it, there'south no telling when it will really exist taken downward. In that time, your business could lose thousands of customers if you wait for Google to handle the issue.

The other major setback is that Google won't remove a review just because it'southward negative. The signal of Google reviews is to provide users with unbiased feedback from other customers' experiences. If those experiences are poor, Google wants its users to be enlightened of them. So, if you're upset with a customer'south opinion, the odds aren't in your favor for a removal.

Instead, your customer service team needs to take action if yous desire to remove a negative Google review.

Ways to Handle Google Reviews

one. Respond to the customer's review.

The most effective way to handle a negative customer review is to respond to it. If your team made a mistake that inspired a negative review, a 18-carat apology can go a long way in changing the perception a potential client has of your brand. If it's a positive review, an appreciative response makes an affect, also. Remember, these reviews are public for the customer every bit well as your concern, and customers don't want to look similar the villain when your team responds underneath with a polite message.

2. Ask the customer to delete it.

The customer may reply positively to your squad's comment but choose to leave the review upward anyhow. They may call back the thing is closed and that other users volition see the review every bit an case of your neat customer service. While we appreciate the sentiment, you and I both know nosotros'd rather accept the review removed so other customers only see the positive experiences at your company.

In these cases, reach out to the customer to see if they will remove the review. If possible, bulletin them on a individual platform like e-mail, so the customer doesn't experience pressured by your request. Give thanks them for reading your reply and ask them if they will consider the removal of the review in lite of their recent experiences with your company. Be sure to remain patient and don't brand any demands on the customer.

3. Solve the customer's problem.

This one may seem obvious, merely customers often go out negative reviews because their original demand from your business was never fulfilled. For example, you may relish the client service at a restaurant just hate the food they serve you lot. Even though your beefiness — pun intended — isn't with the restaurant'south staff, your review even so gets counted yet.

It's important to recognize the problems that customers are reporting in your negative reviews and accept action to right them. Once you exercise, follow upward with the customers who left poor reviews and see if they're willing to try your product or service again. Make information technology clear that you have taken steps to correct your past mistakes and you still value their relationship with your business organisation. While y'all may not win every customer over, this promotes a customer-centric civilization for your make's reputation.

4. Follow up with customers.

One common statistic that client service experts like to point out is that 85% of customers believe reviews older than three months are irrelevant. All the same, this stat neglects that these older reviews still count towards your business organization'southward overall rating on Google. That rating is extremely important because 52% of customers will not buy from a business concern if information technology has less than a 4-star rating.

Additionally, a lot can change with your concern every bit you grow and develop over time. A Google review that was posted two years ago may not be as accurate today. If the user is nonetheless active, effort to contact them via the review and see if they would be willing to edit their post. Or, offer them an incentive to try your product or service over again in exchange for an updated review.

5. Authenticate the review.

Believe it or non, some people on the net are mendacious. It gets worse. Some people will fifty-fifty write fake reviews to demolition their competitors' business organization.

If yous're dubious of a review's authenticity, await for signs that would confirm it is a faux. Fake reviews often lack details and seem like they could utilise to about whatever business organization. Check to meet if the reviewer has left whatsoever other reviews and if they accept a picture listed with their business relationship. Then reply to the review. If you don't become a response, flag the post as inappropriate and look for Google to review your report.

The Power of Google Reviews is in Your Hands

Waiting for Google to remove a review from its search engine can be time-consuming and deadening. However, the steps listed above should assistance your customer service team quickly accost negative Google reviews and improve your human relationship with new and existing customers.

Editor'due south annotation: This mail service was originally published in January 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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Originally published Sep 21, 2021 2:45:00 PM, updated Nov 12 2021