Think about the concluding time you lot traveled. Later you arrived at your destination and checked in at your hotel, what did you lot do next? If you're like me, you probably idea about where you lot were going to eat. But when yous're new to an expanse, how practice you find a good spot?

Rather than asking the hotel clerk — who'southward probably a local and has eaten at every place nearby — virtually of united states take out our phones and practice 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 merely one poor review could make up one's mind whether or not you choose to eat at a restaurant.

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

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

Download Now: 20 Review Response Templates

To identify whether the review you lot're looking at is a Google review or not, look for the following elements:

  • A hyperlink next to the star rating reads "Google reviews" or "# Reviews". This link volition take you to individual reviews that users have written.
  • At that place are no other company names on the review.
  • A rating scale numbered from 1 to 5. This won't always exist visible, simply it tin can assistance y'all recognize a Google review if you meet ane.

For example, accept a look at the Google review folio for HubSpot. You lot'll notice each of the elements we listed above. This review appears in Google Maps, so it's integrated into the Google interface which makes it more articulate that it is a Google review.

how to find google reviews

Tin you delete a Google review?

Unfortunately, Google doesn't offering a uncomplicated "delete" pick for its reviews. Instead, there are only two ways that a review tin can exist removed. The person who posted the review can delete it 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'due south review policies.

After that, you'll exist guided to the landing folio below where yous'll need to complete a brief report of the upshot and submit your electronic mail for follow-upward communication.

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It'due south important to notation that Google has built-in spam checkers that automatically clarify 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, you'll want to take matters into your own hands and report the review yourself. Here'southward how to exercise that.

1. Open Google Maps and locate your business.

Find the review on the Google reviews page

2. Find the review on the Google reviews page.

3. Click the 3 vertical dots to the right of the review.

select the option to report the google review

4. Select the choice Report Review.

5. Cull an option for the question "What'due south wrong with this review?".

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

6. Report the review to Google.

report the google review thank you page

When to Flag a Google Review

Co-ordinate to Google, the topics below are confronting its user terms and conditions. Therefore, if you lot find a review that falls under one of these categories, your team can asking to remove that content.

Irrelevant Comments

Google wants to brand sure its users are getting accurate data well-nigh your business. And then, if y'all're seeing comments that don't pertain to your organization or a client'due south feel, you lot should flag these reviews for Google to remove.

Illegal Content

Some businesses provide products or services that are illegal in sure locations. Google accounts for this past prohibiting users from posting reviews that contain links to websites or electronic mail addresses that sell illegal products. This as well includes images that promote products or special offers.

Inappropriate/Offensive/Explicit Content

Google will remove any content that it views equally "obscene, profane, or offensive." Information technology will also remove reviews that are threatening or incorporate derogatory comments. If you come across any reviews similar these, be sure to flag them immediately to protect your brand's prototype.

Conflicts of Interest

Google wants its reviews to be as unbiased as possible. Therefore, you lot can't postal service a review of a company that y'all own or work for. Yous as well tin can't postal service a review of your competitor, as this would allow you lot to manipulate their rating in your favor.

Impersonation

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

Disadvantages of Reporting a Google Review

As you can imagine, this process is ho-hum and doesn't guarantee that your review will be removed. And, even if Google does decide to remove it, there's no telling when it volition actually be taken down. In that fourth dimension, your business could lose thousands of customers if you look for Google to handle the outcome.

The other major setback is that Google won't remove a review but because it's negative. The point of Google reviews is to provide users with unbiased feedback from other customers' experiences. If those experiences are poor, Google wants its users to exist aware 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 squad needs to take action if you want to remove a negative Google review.

Means to Handle Google Reviews

ane. Respond to the client's review.

The about effective way to handle a negative customer review is to respond to it. If your squad fabricated a mistake that inspired a negative review, a genuine apology can go a long way in changing the perception a potential customer has of your make. If it'due south a positive review, an appreciative response makes an impact, too. Remember, these reviews are public for the customer too equally your business organisation, and customers don't desire to look like the villain when your squad responds underneath with a polite message.

2. Inquire the customer to delete it.

The client may respond positively to your team's comment just cull to leave the review up anyway. They may remember the matter is closed and that other users volition see the review equally an case of your great customer service. While we appreciate the sentiment, you and I both know nosotros'd rather have the review removed so other customers only see the positive experiences at your company.

In these cases, reach out to the customer to come across if they will remove the review. If possible, message them on a private platform like email, so the client doesn't experience pressured by your request. Thank them for reading your reply and ask them if they will consider the removal of the review in light of their recent experiences with your company. Be sure to remain patient and don't make any demands on the customer.

3. Solve the customer'southward problem.

This one may seem obvious, but customers often exit negative reviews because their original need from your business was never fulfilled. For case, you may relish the customer service at a restaurant just hate the food they serve you. Even though your beef — pun intended — isn't with the eatery'south staff, your review still gets counted all the same.

It'south of import to recognize the problems that customers are reporting in your negative reviews and have action to right them. Once you lot do, follow up with the customers who left poor reviews and run into if they're willing to try your product or service once more. Get in articulate that y'all take taken steps to right your past mistakes and yous still value their relationship with your business. While you may not win every client over, this promotes a customer-centric culture for your brand's reputation.

iv. Follow up with customers.

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

Additionally, a lot can alter with your concern as you lot grow and develop over fourth dimension. A Google review that was posted ii years ago may not be every bit authentic today. If the user is still active, try 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 again in exchange for an updated review.

5. Cosign the review.

Believe it or not, some people on the internet are mendacious. It gets worse. Some people will even write fake reviews to sabotage their competitors' business.

If you're dubious of a review'southward actuality, look for signs that would confirm it is a fake. Fake reviews oftentimes lack details and seem like they could utilise to almost whatever business. Cheque to run into if the reviewer has left any other reviews and if they accept a motion-picture show listed with their account. Then reply to the review. If yous don't get a response, flag the post as inappropriate and await 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 tiresome. However, the steps listed above should help your customer service team quickly accost negative Google reviews and better your human relationship with new and existing customers.

Editor'due south note: This post was originally published in Jan 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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