
Regardless of the cause, one thingâs certain:
You need to be able to spot fake reviews and deal with them fast to protect your online reputation.
Letâs walk through exactly how to do that.
Before we dive in, letâs be clear on what makes a review fake.
Fake reviews are written by individuals who havenât actually used your product or service.Â
That includes:
Unfair â Fake. Even a harsh review can be valid if the customer genuinely had a poor experience. But once a review crosses into deception, it becomes a threat to trust and credibility.
Leaving a review on Google is easy - maybe a little too easy. Thatâs why fraudsters sometimes slip through the cracks. Here's how to spot them:
Start by cross-checking the reviewerâs name or email against your customer records.
What to do:
Respond politely and ask for details like an order number or service date. If you get no reply or find no match, proceed to flag it with Google.
While not all real customers upload photos, fake reviewers often use:
Itâs often an attempt to look ârealâ without revealing their identity.
What to do:
Use avatar style as a supporting clue - but never the sole reason to call out a review. Combine this signal with others before taking action.
If a review is vague, repetitive, or sounds like it came from a copy-paste template, it might be fake.
Signs to watch for:
What to do:
Reply and ask for specifics. This not only tests the authenticity but also shows prospective customers that you care about detail.
Some fake reviews may come from anonymous accounts - users labeled as âA Google Userâ or those with no visible profile info.
While not all anonymous reviews are fake, they often:
What to do:
If you suspect an anonymous review is hurting your reputation, reply professionally, flag it if needed, and consider using a platform like REVIEWS.io to boost verified reviews and dilute suspicious ones.
Click on the reviewerâs name or avatar to see their full profile. Check for:
What to do:
Reach out to other businesses theyâve reviewed. If none can verify the customer, youâve got a stronger case for removal.
Fake reviewers often blitz multiple reviews in a short burst - especially if theyâre being paid.
For example:
If someone leaves reviews for 12 businesses in a single week across food, salons, and home repairs⌠itâs worth digging deeper.
What to do:
Use this timeline info when flagging the review with Google to demonstrate the pattern of abuse.
A review mentioning services, staff names, or products you donât offer could be a genuine mistake.
Example:
Youâre a dental clinic in Manchester, but the reviewer talks about bad coffee and no Wi-Fi. Itâs likely meant for a cafĂŠ nearby.
What to do:
Flag it for incorrect business association. Then, reply to politely explain the mismatch - this builds transparency with future customers.
If you've gathered evidence that a review is fake, your next step is to report it to Google.Â
Watch this video to learn more about flagging and removing fake Google reviews.
Google considers a review inappropriate if it:
If the fake review remains, you can also try contacting Google Small Business Support, who should get back to you within a couple of days. Here's how to do it:
Yes - Google uses tools like:
These help detect and penalize fake review activity, though enforcement can take time.
Unfortunately, Google wonât always take action - especially if thereâs not enough clear evidence.
In that case:
Yes, leaving fake Google reviews is illegal. It qualifies as deceptive business practice and can lead to significant legal consequences. For instance, in 2013, the New York Attorney Generalâs office conducted a sting operation, resulting in settlements with 19 companies involved in writing fake reviews and fines exceeding $350,000.Â
Such actions are considered fraud and can severely damage a business's reputation and consumer trust. Legal repercussions serve as a strong deterrent against manipulating online review systems, highlighting the importance of honesty and integrity in digital feedback.
âSome companies do buy fake Google reviews to boost their ratings and reputation.
Buying reviews might boost ratings in the short term, but:
In short: donât do it. Long-term credibility always wins.
Once you've seen a few, fake reviews on Google are pretty easy to spot. Having said that, businesses should never accuse reviewers of being ingenuine - this could really come back to bite you. Instead, follow the guidelines above, go through the flagging process, and reply politely to negative reviews to find a solution to the problem.
Need help managing your reviews? Book a demo with our friendly sales team today and see how you can streamline everything from collection to moderation.