Thinking of buying reviews in Google? Think Again.

Richard Ball

June 5, 2019

3 min read

Thinking about buying Google reviews to boost your star rating? It might seem like a quick win - but it’s one of the fastest ways to damage your business. While authentic customer feedback is a powerful tool for online reputation, fake reviews can do more harm than good.

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Looking to improve your Google reputation the right way?

In this guide, we’ll explain why paying for reviews is risky, what Google expects from businesses, and how to improve your Google rating the right way - with long-term, sustainable results.

Why Do Businesses Want to Buy Google Reviews?

Collecting genuine feedback takes time - and it can feel like a slow process. If you're not actively asking for reviews, you may end up with too few, or worse, mostly negative ones.

That’s why some businesses turn to shortcuts like buying reviews. In fact, "buy Google reviews" is a common search term, proving that the demand is real.

But there’s a better way.

Is It Legal to Buy Reviews on Google?

No. In many countries, paying for fake reviews is illegal.

For example:

In the UK, it's a breach of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.
In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has strict rules and guidelines against fake endorsements.

Violations can lead to fines, legal action, and serious damage to your credibility.

It may sound extreme, but Google customer feedback is all about giving consumers a voice and improving a business's trust and reputation. Buying fake reviews destroys all that.

What Does Google Do About Fake Reviews?

Google takes fake reviews seriously. It considers them a form of fake engagement, which violates its content policies.

Google’s algorithms are designed to detect patterns in fraudulent reviews - such as language issues, irregular activity, and location mismatches. When detected, reviews may be removed, and businesses could see their visibility in local search results drop significantly.

New Enforcement Rules You Should Know

In 2025, Google committed to stronger anti-fake review measures following pressure from regulators like the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority. Businesses that post or benefit from fake reviews may now:

Get public warning labels on their profiles
Have review functionality suspended for at least 6 months
Be banned from posting reviews if found repeatedly violating policies

These updates are part of broader efforts to meet new legal standards like the UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, which makes fake or undisclosed incentivised reviews a legal offence with major penalties.

Bottom line: fake reviews aren’t just risky - they’re now under serious global enforcement.

Can Fake Reviews Actually Hurt Your Business?

Yes - here’s how:

Loss of trust: Customers can usually spot fake reviews. If they sense something isn’t right, they’re less likely to buy from you.
Lower rankings: Google can demote your business in search results, reducing visibility and traffic.
Reputation damage: If customers call out fake reviews publicly, your credibility takes a direct hit.

Short-term gains aren’t worth long-term losses.

How Do You Build a Google Review Strategy That Works?

The key is consistency and authenticity. Here’s how to do it right:

Ask every customer: Most people won’t leave a review unless prompted. A simple request can go a long way.
Time it well: Request feedback after a positive experience, when your service is still top-of-mind.
Make it easy: Use a tool like REVIEWS.io to send automated review invites via email or SMS.
Follow Google’s rules: Always collect honest, voluntary reviews without offering incentives.

By using a Google Licensed review partner like REVIEWS.io, you ensure compliance while making it simple to scale review collection.

The Best Way to Increase Your Google Star Rating

It starts with excellent service - but the second step is asking for feedback. Did you know that:

That’s a huge opportunity. With the right tools, you can engage your happiest customers and grow your review count the right way.

The key, then, is not to buy fraudulent testimonials but perhaps to sign up for a review platform like REVIEWS.io. We make it easy to contact your past and present customers and request feedback.

All the collected ratings can then be sent to Google, boosting your review tally and improving your score.

Practical Takeaways: What to Do Instead of Buying Reviews

What Not to Do	What to Do Instead
Buy fake reviews	Use verified review platforms like REVIEWS.io
Ask friends or employees to write reviews	Ask real customers after a successful interaction
Offer incentives in exchange for reviews	Make the process easy and friction-free with review request tools
Ignore negative feedback	Respond to it professionally and use it to improve

Final Thoughts

Buying reviews might seem like an easy fix, but it’s a dangerous move. Instead, invest in a long-term strategy that builds trust with your audience, boosts your online visibility, and keeps you compliant with Google’s guidelines.

A solid review collection process doesn’t just protect your reputation - it helps it grow.

Want to build a strong Google presence the right way? Book a demo and see how REVIEWS.io can help.