Around 87% of customers engage with businesses with a 3-4 star rating on Google.
They check out online reviews to measure the quality of your products or services.
Over the years, reviews have become one of the deciding factors for consumers. With many potential consumers considering reviews before making a purchase, businesses need to accept the harsh truth that online reviews can directly impact revenue.
If there are some negative or unethical reviews, it can impact your business value and take customers away. So, what can you do?
Luckily, there are ways to remove bad Google reviews.
Read on to know the steps to remove negative reviews from your Google Business Profile.
Table of Contents
Why Google Reviews Matter?
Google reviews have a huge impact on local searches and are a crucial factor for most buyers when deciding on a purchase. Since Google is the most popular search engine, it shows reviews in its search results, so reviews are easily visible to people searching for local companies.
Moreover, posting reviews builds trust among customers and makes you stand out from your competitors. Let’s understand the importance of online reviews with some statistics:
- 88% of consumers look up reviews on Google before doing business with a local company.
- 74% of customers are more likely to trust companies with good Google reviews.
- 54.7% of consumers read at least four product reviews before making a decision.
- 79% of buyers trust online reviews more than personal recommendations.
The above stats provide the importance of taking care of your business reviews. So, if you’re business is filled with bad or fake reviews, it’s high time to work on it. Our next step is just about that.
Let’s deep dive into the steps to remove negative reviews from your Google account.
Protect your business by removing misleading and unfair reviews with our expert support.
When Can You Remove Google Reviews Posted by Others?
Google doesn’t let you delete bad reviews just because you don’t like them. It’s because Google follows transparency and honest feedback, both good and bad, to keep things real.
However, if a review violates Google guidelines, you may be able to get it removed. Here are some cases when you can get rid of bad Google reviews:
- Illegal content
- Promotion of illegal actions
- Terroristic
- Sexually explicit
- Obscene or profane
- Impersonation
- Harassment
- Off-topic posts staged as reviews
- Spam content that is posted specifically to sabotage rankings
How to Remove Fake or Rule-Breaking Google Reviews?
If you suspect that a review is fake or against its rules, Google will first verify the authenticity of a review before taking any action. Check out the steps below to remove bad Google reviews:
- Go into your Google Business Profile account
- Choose “Reviews” from the left-hand menu
- Select the fake review option
- Click on the three-dotted bar in the right corner
- Click “Flag as inappropriate.”
Once you complete this procedure, Google will receive the reviewer’s comments. Then, Google can assess the review to determine whether it is appropriate or fraudulent.
However, if you’re looking to get an answer more directly, it is best to contact Google support.
Check out the steps below to contact the Google review management service team:
- Go to your Google Business Profile dashboard and find “Support” in the menu.
- From that point, you can talk with Google via phone, chat, or email.
It allows you to connect with Google faster. However, keep in mind that if a review is genuine and written by a real person, Google won’t delete it. Even if it’s a real review but meant for another business, you can still ask Google to remove it.
Now, let’s go through the instructions on how to remove negative reviews with tips.
Get our expert’s advice to prevent, respond to, and remove bad reviews effectively.
Tips to Remove Bad Google Reviews
Removing bad Google reviews isn’t as easy as hitting the delete button. If the review is authentic, you’ll need to adopt a different strategy.
The best move is to respond to the reviewer and try to fix the issue. A considerate reply can turn things in your favor and possibly enhance your business reputation.
Let’s explore the steps to remove negative Google reviews and protect your online reputation.
1. Don’t React Negatively
Seeing a bad review can be frustrating, especially if it feels unfair. Responding with anger won’t help. Instead, take a deep breath and handle the situation professionally.
Here’s how staying calm can help:
- A polite response shows you value customer feedback
- Arguing can make your business look unprofessional
- A well-crafted reply can turn a negative into a positive
- People judge how you respond, not just the review itself
As you can see from this example, the owner’s response was polite and helpful. This response leaves a lasting positive impression on the customer and others, who will view that business positively.
Remind yourself that negative reviews are normal and shouldn’t be taken personally. It’s common to have a mix of positive and negative reviews.
2. Evaluate the Review
Before deleting bad reviews on Google, take a step back and analyze them carefully. Check:
- Does it appear fake?
- Is it from a real customer?
If it’s offensive, spam, or fake, you have a good reason to report it for removal. Plus, take the time to evaluate the review and decide whether to dispute it or take it as a chance to improve your service.
Take an example of this review. Here, the owner checked their records before replying to the reviewer. So, evaluating before responding is the key when your reputation is at stake. You can use the previously mentioned procedures to report and remove negative reviews.
However, it takes Google 5-20 days to remove fake reviews. During that time, many customers may read a review without realizing it’s fake. So, it’s equally crucial to respond to a fake review with proof.
3. Fix the Situation
Not all bad reviews need to be removed. Sometimes, they just need to be fixed. If a customer has a bad experience and writes a negative review, the best thing is to deal with the issue directly. Here’s how:
- Start by replying to the review professionally and politely
- Acknowledge their concern, apologize if necessary
- Provide assistance or a solution
Let’s say a client complained about a software error or delayed project delivery. You can respond with:
“We truly regret any inconvenience caused and value your input. We would love to talk about how we can make things right for you, and our team is working hard to find a solution. Please get in touch with us.”
Many times, when businesses take the time to fix the problem, customers update or even get rid of bad Google reviews. A simple effort to show you care can turn a bad review into a long-term partnership!
4. Stay Vigilant with Your Reviews
Keeping an eye on your reviews isn’t just about damage control. It’s also about protecting your business reputation. Negative reviews can pop up anytime, so it’s crucial to detect them as soon as possible. Follow the tips below for the online reputation management of your business:
- Make it a habit to check your Google reviews regularly
- Look for any that seem fake, misleading, or violate Google’s policies
- Take action if you spot something suspicious
At the same time, genuine negative feedback can serve as a learning and improvement opportunity.
Our expert review management keeps your online image clean and professional.
Need Help Managing Reviews on Google? Consult Us!
Now that you know how to handle bad reviews on Google, you can take control of your Google Business Profile to improve your online reputation. As previously stated, you can turn bad experiences into positive ones for your business by managing feedback and addressing issues.
You can manage your Google Business Profile to boost your online reputation. Handling bad reviews can help turn negative experiences into positive ones. Addressing feedback and issues is key to improving your business.
However, you can connect with us if there’s still an issue. PixelCrayons, a certified Google partner, specializes in Google review management services.
Our team of experts assists businesses in monitoring, managing, and responding to reviews effectively by ensuring a strong and reliable brand image.
With our review management and digital marketing services, you’ll have everything you need to avoid negative feedback and win over customers. Get in touch with us and take control of your online reputation.
