Google reviews are a lifeline for businesses for greater visibility online and to help you win more sales. But what happens when your Google business reviews don’t show up?
Many business owners have been taken off guard by this issue, only to discover that their once-thriving Google Business Profile is missing vital customer reviews.
In this blog, we’ll explain why your reviews aren’t showing up and offer a step-by-step process to contact Google support and recover missing reviews. So, let’s begin-
11 Common Reasons Google Reviews Go Missing
Google reviews can go missing due to a variety of reasons. Understanding these issues might help you avoid future problems and retrieve lost reviews.
Here are 11 possible reasons why your Google reviews could be missing.
1. Reviews Contain Embedded Links
To ensure the relevance of customer reviews, Google strictly bans external links in Google Business Profile reviews. Reviews that include links or URLs may result in missing and are usually removed to avoid promotional content or divergence from Google’s services.
Including URLs can provide security issues or drive users to unverified external sites, thereby misinforming them. Google promotes a safe and trustworthy environment for users looking for honest business reviews.
2. Google Flagged the Review as Spam
Google prioritizes quality; thus, they are very strict about eliminating spam reviews on any Google Business profile. To not be deemed spam, a review must adhere to Google’s review policy on Prohibited and Restricted content.
In addition, Google flags reviews that other users on the platform have flagged as spam.
3. Suspicious or Fake Reviews Removed
Google flags reviews from accounts without a name, photo, or other key characteristics as false Google reviews in order to maintain authenticity and openness to its users.
When a business buy Google reviews, from reputed service providers, they receive real and authentic reviews from customers, not bot and phony. This also reduces the chances of reviews getting removed by Google.
4. Google Temporarily Paused Reviews
When traffic is too high and Google has a limited number of working members, it has previously disabled the review area of Google Business Profiles for a short period of time.
For example, at the start of the global health pandemic, Google temporarily banned reviews. In such circumstances, it is normal for reviews to go missing.
5. Newly Created Google Business Listing
If your business is new to Google, it is likely that clients have yet to discover your Google Business Profile because it has not yet begun to rank highly and is difficult to find.
To attract more clients, you must step up your marketing efforts. The more clients you attract, the more reviews you will receive for your products and services.
6. Inactive Google Business Profile
If you haven’t updated your Google Business Profile in a long time and customers no longer engage with it, it’s possible that your business lost its verification status on Google.
Plus, Google disables Business Profiles that lose eligibility status. Unverified businesses will not rank on Google Search or Google Maps, as a result, existing or new reviews left by your customers will not be visible to the public.
7. Reviewer’s Account Is No Longer Active
A Google review may disappear if the client who posted it deactivates their personal Google account. Account deactivation can happen if they violate Google regulations, or even if they do it purposefully.
For example, a customer might use Google’s Inactive Account Manager to delete their account for security reasons. When that happens, all their info including reviews gets permanently removed.
8. Duplicate Google Business Listings Exist
Google will remove one of the duplicate listings, including those that were created accidentally or inadvertently. Thus, if your Google Business Profile has a duplicate, your reviews may appear on another listing rather than the active one.
To see if your business has any duplicates, search for it on Google, and if you find one, report it as a duplicate.
9. Recent Change in Business Address
Did your business relocate, and did you forget to update Google? In most circumstances, Google transfers all reviews to the new Google Maps location where your business has relocated, but this is not always the case.
For businesses with a strong local connection, such as hotels and restaurants, Google may not automatically transmit the reviews. In such instances, contact Google for assistance.
If your firm has relocated, be sure to update your address in Google firm Profile to avoid any issues. This may necessitate that you reverify your business.
10. The Review Was Flagged by Other Users
Other users may flag your review if they believe it is fraudulent, offensive, or violates Google’s guidelines. When a review is detected many times, Google may automatically remove it from your business profile.
Even if the review was genuine, being marked too frequently can lead it to disappearing or being removed from your company page.
11. User Posted the Review on the Wrong Business Listing
It’s possible that the client mistakenly posted a review for another business with a similar name or nearby location. If the review does not appear on your profile, ask the customer to double-check and confirm they chose the correct listing before submitting.
A minor error like this can result in the review being missing from your Google Business profile.
How to Contact Google Support and Recover Missing Reviews
If your Google reviews are missing, it’s time to contact Google support directly. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you reach the right team, explain your issue clearly, and increase your chances of getting those reviews restored.
● Step 1: Log In to Your Business Profile
The first step is to sign in to your Google business profile and go to the help & support section.
● Step 2: Search for Help
Type “reviews not showing up” into the search bar and then choose the article titled Understand missing & delayed reviews for advice.
● Step 3: Review Google’s Guidelines
Read the text carefully to ensure that your profile complies with Google’s regulations, particularly with service areas, company information, and content rules.
● Step 4: Click ‘Contact Us’
Scroll to the bottom of the help article and click the “Contact Us” button to receive direct assistance from Google Business professionals.
● Step 5: Start the 3-Step Contact Process
Begin Google’s guided three-step approach by answering each query openly and clearly to describe the missing reviews issue.
● Step 6: Choose the Email Option
Choose the email contact option, and then fill out the form with as much information as possible, such as reviewer names, review dates, and your company information.
● Step 7: Respond to the Confirmation Email
After submitting, Google gives you a confirmation email; respond to it for additional assistance. Use respectful words and, whenever feasible, refer to Google’s policy phrasing.
● Step 8: Watch for a Response
Keep an eye on your inbox. Google normally responds within the same email thread. Be patient, as response times may vary.
● Step 9: Follow Up Promptly
If Google wants additional information or modifications, answer promptly. Cooperating efficiently improves your chances of fixing the problem.
● Step 10: Be Clear and Professional
When dealing with support, use a respectful and direct tone. Use facts and keep your explanation concise to make it easier for them to help you.
Conclusion
Missing Google reviews can be frustrating, and knowing the reason for it can help you resolve the issue at the earliest. Above, we have guided you to the reasons for missing Google reviews.
Most problems can be solved with a few simple checks or by contacting Google support. To ensure you’re never short of reviews, even if a few go missing, buyreviewz can make sure to provide you with new Google reviews so you can maintain your star rating and beat out your local competition!
FAQs
1. How long does it usually take for a Google review to appear?
A Google review usually appears in minutes, but it can take up to 72 hours. Google may delay posting in response to moderation checks, account activity, or suspicious content. If the review adheres to all policies, it should eventually appear.
2. What steps can I take to recover missing Google reviews?
Begin by ensuring that your Google Business Profile is validated and updated. To guarantee that there are no infractions, review Google’s content standards. If everything checks out, contact Google support via the “Contact Us” link in the Help section.
3. Are Google reviews reviewed or approved before going live?
Google reviews are not personally verified before being published, but they are monitored by algorithms for spam, false, or policy-violating information. If a review fails to follow Google’s criteria, it may be removed or notified.
4. Is it possible for a business to remove a Google review?
Businesses cannot directly remove Google reviews from their business profile, however, they can flag reviews that violate Google’s regulations. Google may remove reviews that are spam, fraudulent, or contain hate speech, harassment, or other banned content.
5. Why might my Google reviews be missing or not showing up?
Google reviews may be missing due to algorithmic filtering, policy breaches, or technological difficulties. If your reviews do not comply with Google’s criteria or there is an issue with your business listing, they may be flagged as spam and removed.