• Oct 7, 2025 modified: Oct, 07 2025

Fake Reviews on Google My Business

Fake Reviews on Google My Business: What Every Small Business Should Know

When you search for a business online, one of the first things you probably look at is the reviews. They help you decide whether to book a service, buy a product, or walk away. For small businesses, reviews can make or break a reputation. The problem is that not every review you read on Google is written by a real customer.

On Google My Business (GMB), anybody can write a review.

That means fake reviews are more common than most people realize. They may come from someone who has never even interacted with your business. Worse, these reviews can be damaging because they sit alongside real ones, making it hard for potential customers to know the difference.

Why Fake Google Reviews Matter

Reviews are one of the most powerful tools for building trust online.

Studies show that almost a third of Australian consumers treat online reviews the same way they would treat a recommendation from a family member. If you think about it, that is a lot of influence.

Unfortunately, fake reviews can distort how your business is seen. A single false negative review can hurt your reputation, making new customers hesitant to engage. On the other hand, fake positive reviews used by competitors to promote themselves can give them an unfair advantage.

Fake reviews do not just hurt your image. They also affect how Google ranks your business. A consistent stream of low-star ratings can push you down the search results and Maps listings. Over time, this leads to fewer customers discovering your business and, ultimately, less revenue.

The real danger is erosion of trust. Once customers start doubting the credibility of your reviews, they begin to doubt your brand as a whole.

Common Sources of Fake Reviews

You might be wondering where fake reviews come from. In most cases, they fall into three main categories:

• Competitors – A rival business may post fake negative reviews to harm your reputation or even fake positive ones for themselves to appear more appealing.
• Individuals with grudges – These are people who dislike your business for personal reasons, even though they have never actually been a customer.
• Disgruntled ex-employees – Former staff may turn to fake reviews as a way to get back at your company.

There are also paid review schemes, where people are hired to post either glowing or harmful reviews for money. These are particularly deceptive because they look authentic at first glance but have no real connection to your business.

How to Spot a Fake Review

Fortunately, most fake reviews share some common signs. The longer you monitor your reviews, the easier it becomes to spot them. Here are a few red flags:

• Generic or vague comments – They may say things like "Terrible service" or "Amazing experience" without giving any details about what they actually bought or who helped them.
• Inaccurate details – They might mention products you do not sell or services you never offered.
• Suspicious profiles – Look for accounts with no photos, no personal details, or ones that have posted multiple reviews in different cities or countries.
• Overly positive or overly negative tone – Some reviews sound extreme, either filled with excessive praise or harsh criticism, but they lack supporting details.
• Unrelated remarks – A review that promotes a competitor or goes off-topic can also be a sign it is fake.

Another warning sign is a sudden flood of reviews within a short period. If your business receives ten new reviews overnight, all saying similar things, it is likely a coordinated attempt.

When in doubt, ask yourself: would a real customer write this? Trusting your instincts often helps spot what does not feel right.

What to Do If You Get a Fake Review

The frustrating part about fake reviews is that they go live instantly. Unlike social media comments, you cannot just delete them. But there are steps you can take:

1 Report to Google
Use the "Flag as inappropriate" option on the review. Google may remove it if it violates their policies.

2 Collect evidence
Take screenshots and gather customer records to back up your claim if Google asks for proof.

3 Respond professionally
Instead of getting defensive, reply calmly. For example, say something like, "We cannot find a record of your visit. Please contact us directly so we can resolve this." This shows other readers you are transparent.

4 Encourage genuine reviews
Ask satisfied customers to leave feedback. A steady flow of real reviews will outweigh the occasional fake one.

5 Monitor regularly
The quicker you catch fake reviews, the faster you can address them before they do lasting damage.

Strategies to Protect Your Business

Fake reviews may be unavoidable, but there are ways to safeguard your reputation over time.

• Build a bank of real reviews – The more genuine reviews you have, the less impact a fake one will have on your overall score.
• Use monitoring tools – Reputation management software can help track suspicious activity and alert you to unusual patterns.
• Train your team – Encourage employees to ask happy customers for feedback and to report any suspicious reviews they see.
• Create a long-term plan – Reputation management should be part of your business strategy, not just a reaction to problems.

By taking these proactive steps, your business can stay one step ahead of those trying to harm your online image.