Why Do My Google Reviews Keep Disappearing? How to Protect Your Business Reputation

Google reviews are a crucial part of your online presence, influencing potential customers and helping your business rank in local search results. However, many business owners have recently reported missing reviews, sparking concern and frustration.

If your Google reviews have disappeared, you’re not alone. Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do to protect your business.

Why Are Google Reviews Disappearing?

Over the past few months, business owners across various industries have noticed that their Google reviews are disappearing. In some cases, entire histories of reviews have been wiped out without explanation.

Here are some possible reasons why this is happening:

• Google’s Spam Detection System – Google frequently updates its spam filters to remove fake or policy-violating reviews. If a review triggers Google’s automated filters, it may be removed.
• Google Business Profile Bugs – Recent reports indicate that a Google bug has caused some reviews to disappear from local listings. This has been acknowledged by Google, but resolution timelines remain unclear.
• Policy Violations – Reviews that include promotional content, offensive language, or personal information may be flagged and removed. Even legitimate reviews can sometimes get mistakenly filtered.
• Changes to Business Listings – If you’ve recently updated your Google Business Profile (such as changing your address or name), Google may remove past reviews as part of the update process.

For a more detailed look at the issue, Google has addressed it in their support thread: Google Business Support.

How Missing Google Reviews Affect Your Business

Google reviews are more than just testimonials; they directly impact how customers perceive your business and influence your local SEO rankings. Losing reviews can result in:

• Decreased Trust: Potential customers may hesitate to choose your business if they see fewer reviews or a sudden drop in ratings.
• Lower Local Rankings: Google reviews contribute to local SEO. Fewer reviews can negatively affect your position in search results.
• Reduced Conversion Rates: Businesses with strong review profiles tend to convert more customers than those with minimal feedback.

What You Can Do to Combat the Issue

1. Continue Requesting Legitimate Reviews

The worst thing you can do is stop asking customers for reviews. While it’s frustrating to lose reviews, maintaining a steady stream of new, legitimate reviews is crucial for your business.

• Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews immediately after their service or purchase.
• Ensure reviews follow Google’s review policies.
• Avoid incentivizing reviews, as this goes against Google’s guidelines.

Consistency is key—having a continuous flow of new reviews helps maintain credibility and improves your local ranking.

2. Report the Issue to Google

If you’ve lost legitimate reviews, you can report the issue to Google and request assistance.

Here’s how to contact Google Support:

1. Log into your Google Business Profile.
2. Click the three dots next to your profile strength.
3. Select Help & Support from the dropdown menu.
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Contact Us.
5. Provide details about your business and the missing reviews.

For direct assistance, visit Google Business Profile Help.

3. Monitor and Document Your Reviews

To keep track of your reviews and spot any sudden changes:

• Regularly screenshot and document your Google reviews.
• Use third-party review monitoring tools to track changes.
• Keep a record of customer names and review timestamps in case you need to reference them later.

This helps you provide evidence if you need to dispute missing reviews with Google.

4. Diversify Your Review Strategy

While Google is the dominant review platform, relying solely on it can be risky. Encourage customers to leave reviews on:

• Facebook
• Yelp
• Trustpilot
• BBB (Better Business Bureau)

Having a strong review presence across multiple platforms protects your business from unexpected losses on any single platform.

Final Thoughts: Stay Proactive

Losing Google reviews is frustrating, but there are steps you can take to mitigate the impact. By continuing to request reviews, reporting missing ones to Google, and diversifying your review platforms, you can protect your business’s online reputation.

If you need help managing your digital presence or improving your local SEO strategy, contact our team at Biondo Creative. We’re here to help businesses navigate these challenges and grow their online presence.