To maintain its platform’s integrity, Google has implemented stricter policies to combat fake reviews on Google Maps. The tech giant has updated its rules, allowing it to restrict or block new reviews on a business profile suspected of engaging in fraudulent practices. Additionally, Google may now display warning messages on profiles that have attempted to inflate their ratings artificially.
These policy changes, rolled out globally in September, had previously been tested in the United Kingdom. Google’s support page for business profiles emphasizes the importance of authentic reviews, stating, “Reviews and ratings play a crucial role in helping consumers make informed decisions about businesses.”
While the exact methods used to identify fake reviews remain undisclosed, Google has clarified that violations of its false engagement policy will result in consequences. These may include profile restrictions and the removal of suspicious reviews. Business owners facing such actions will be notified and allowed to appeal through Google’s support team.
The crackdown targets various deceptive practices, including using fake profiles for reviews and offering incentives for positive ratings. These tactics are often employed to boost a business’s visibility in search results. Google’s policy stresses that “contributions on Maps must reflect genuine experiences at a location or business.”
A British user, Mike Blumenthal, shared evidence of the new measures in action on the Local Search Forum. Blumenthal posted a screenshot showing a warning message on a business profile that read, “Suspicious fake reviews were recently removed from this location.”
How to report to Maps that a business has closed
In related news, Google Maps users can contribute to the platform’s accuracy by reporting closed businesses or address changes. This feature is available on desktop and mobile versions of the application, allowing users to help maintain up-to-date information on the platform.
As Google continues to refine its approach to combating fake reviews, these new measures represent a significant step towards ensuring the reliability of information on Google Maps.
