I refuse to check out a new place until I have thoroughly researched its reviews on Google Maps. However, I always find it suspicious when a place has an unusually high number of overwhelmingly positive reviews. So, I’m happy to see Google Maps will now start flagging businesses with suspected fake reviews.
Mike Blumenthal spotted the change (via Engadget) and took it to X. In the screenshot he uploaded, the Overview page of a carpet cleaning company shows a warning sign reading, “Suspected fake reviews were recently removed from this place.”
We haven’t received an official word from Google about the change, but Search Engine Roundtable (Via Engadget) reports that Google recently updated its review restrictions document with this information.
In the document, Google establishes that it “takes ratings and reviews that are fake, and/or offered in exchange for a benefit, very seriously” and that “Businesses that violate [its] policy on artificial engagement may be subject to restrictions.”
It outlines three examples of restrictions it would potentially place on establishments. Apart from removing the fake reviews, it will make the business unable to receive new reviews for a given period, make the existing reviews or ratings unable to be published for a specific period of time, or have the establishment show a warning message to users telling them that non-compliant reviews have been removed. Google also says that the restrictions aren’t limited to these three.
It adds that it will email the property owners to let them know when it has applied a restriction to their business. However, it also mentions that companies may appeal the restriction here. It is open to any context the company provides and can consider that to review its final decision.
The change could reduce politically motivated ‘review-bombing’ like the kind that has recently impacted Palestinian businesses in the U.S. since the start of the Israeli genocide in Palestine. Al Jazeera reported on the story of the Palestinian bakery and restaurant, Reem’s, which was inundated with fake one-star ratings within a week of opening, along with ridiculous reviews such as “I went there, and their food was terrible” while mentioning products the bakery doesn’t even serve.
Though I have always thoroughly enjoyed (and am slightly guilty of this) those special deals at restaurants that give you an extra item upon giving them a positive review on Google Maps, I am glad that practice is ending. While they’re enjoyable for the consumer, I agree that that’s an unhealthy and misleading way for restaurants to gain positive feedback.