How To Remove Negative Google Reviews

Published March 24, 2023

The reputation and success of a business can be greatly influenced by online reviews. Positive reviews can enhance the company’s credibility, while negative ones can have the opposite effect, resulting in a decrease in revenue and customer base. Negative reviews on Google can be particularly detrimental, given that it is the world’s most widely used search engine.

However, there are ways how to remove negative Google reviews, and the experts at Prager have provided a comprehensive guide on how to do so below. Alternatively, if you would like us to handle this process for you, please feel free to reach out and contact us online, and we will be happy to offer a complimentary estimate.

How to Remove Negative Reviews

Step 1: Determine if the Review Violates Google’s Review Policies

It is crucial to determine if a negative review violates Google’s review policies before attempting to remove it. Google implements rigorous policies to ensure that the reviews published on its platform are authentic and truthful.

Some common examples of reviews that violate Google’s policies include:

Reviews with offensive language or hate speech
Reviews that contain personal attacks or threats
Reviews that are fake or spam
Reviews that include private or confidential information

In the event that the review violates any of these policies, it can be reported to Google for potential removal. Nevertheless, if the review does not infringe on any policies, you may still be wondering how to remove negative google reviews. If this is the case, an alternative strategy may be required to tackle the negative feedback.

Step 2: Respond to the Review

If the negative review cannot be removed, the next most effective course of action is to respond to it. Responding to unfavorable reviews demonstrates a level of customer care and a willingness to tackle their concerns. Below are some suggestions for responding to negative reviews:

Be polite and professional: It’s essential to remain calm and professional when responding to negative reviews. Don’t get defensive or argumentative, as this can escalate the situation and make things worse.
Acknowledge the customer’s concerns: Let the customer know that you understand their concerns and that you’re taking their feedback seriously.
Apologize if necessary: If the customer had a bad experience, apologize for any inconvenience or frustration they may have experienced.
Offer a solution: Provide a solution to the customer’s problem, such as a refund or a discount on their next purchase.
Take the conversation offline: If the issue is complicated or sensitive, suggest taking the conversation offline to avoid any further negative feedback.

How to Remove Negative Google Reviews

Step 3: Encourage Positive Reviews

Encouraging satisfied customers to leave positive reviews is among the top strategies for combating negative reviews. Favorable feedback can serve as a counterbalance to negative feedback and demonstrate to prospective customers your dedication to delivering exceptional service.

Listed below are some ways to encourage positive reviews:

Ask for reviews: Don’t be afraid to ask your customers for reviews. You can include a call-to-action in your email signatures, on your website, or on your social media profiles.
Make it easy: Provide your customers with a direct link to your Google Business Listing to make leaving a review as easy as possible.
Provide incentives: Consider offering a small incentive, such as a discount code or free product, to customers who leave a review.

Step 4: Flag the Review to Google

Should the review violate Google’s review policies, and you have determined that responding to the review is not feasible, you can bring it to Google’s attention for potential removal by flagging it.

Outlined below are the steps for flagging a review to Google:

Sign into your Google My Business account.
Find the review you want to flag.
Click the three dots in the upper-right corner of the review.
Click “Flag as inappropriate.”
Select the reason why the review should be removed.
Click “Submit.”

Contact Google My Business Support

In the event that the flagged review violates Google’s review policies but hasn’t been removed, reaching out to Google My Business support for further assistance is a viable option. Given the frequent updates in Google’s procedures, it is recommended to follow the instructions provided in their help section for the most up-to-date approach to contacting them.