Fraudulent Google Reviews

Google Maps tips & tricks
1

Dear Google Moderators,

I hope this message finds you all well.

Can any Google moderator help me please?

I been reaching out to seek assistance with an ongoing matter. Despite my efforts to engage with Google support, I have encountered persistent challenges and setbacks. I have even tried the Google Community but no one ever replies back.

I am writing about an ongoing concern regarding the reoccurrence of previously resolved issues by Google support. Despite previous interventions, it appears that four fake and dishonest reviews, which were rightfully removed by Google some years ago, have been inadvertently reinstated. This reinstatement was due to a misunderstanding by Google support during our prior interactions and now they keep saying they don’t understand. I have all the supporting evidence.

I am a full time carer for my disabled son and on the side I run a small domestic cleaning business. I reached out to Google support on the 29th February 2024 regarding my missing positive 5 star reviews over the years from a few of my clients that were not showing on Google maps and respectfully requested their reinstatement after sending some proof screenshots from willing clients who happily left positive five star reviews.

I had a response came back from Google support on the 22nd March 2024 indicating that most of the reviews have been reinstated. However, along with this process, when i checked, instead of reinstating the missing five star positive reviews back, they have reinstated the four old fake one star reviews. These one star reviews were taken off by Google previously last year after sending supporting evidence.

However, I am exhausted because I keep getting instructed to follow the old process of flagging the reviews and awaiting a response and all I get back is the same reply. Wednesday, April 18th, I received an email from Google Support stating that these reviews are not violating Google’s policies. I am perplexed by this assertion, given that Google previously accepted the supporting evidence and removed these negative reviews last year.

Can someone please private message me or provide me with an email so I can resubmit the supporting evidence for these four reviews, which I believe to be fraudulent and misleading. This supporting evidence should already be on Google Support’s database so they be matched with their respective reviews and removed, as they are adversely affecting our hard-earned reputation.

As a principled individual I place great value on honesty and hard work. While the presence of these four one-star reviews might have been acceptable had they been authentic representations from genuine clients, the overarching positivity conveyed by numerous other reviews would have overshadowed them. However, I am compelled to address the issue of threatening behavior and falsified feedback, as it undermines the integrity of the feedback system and my commitment to providing exceptional service.

I kindly request your help please. It would be very much appreciated. :pray:

Warm regards,

Junaid Shah

Luton House Cleaning

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2

Hello @JunaidShah ,

Welcome to Local Guides Connect.

This is Local Guides Connect, where local guides can discuss map-related things with each other, not business owners. For future reference, refer to the Google Business Profile Help Center. Nonetheless, I’ll provide some guidance on your issue.

If a flagged review’s verdict is that it doesn’t violate Google’s policies, you’re eligible for a one-time appeal for each flagged review. Before appealing, confirm that the review is truly violating the Google Maps Content Policy. Examples are listed here.

Should the review come back with the same verdict, post in the Google Business Profile Community with the appeal’s case ID. A Google Product Expert, at their discretion, can escalate the case for a final review.

Regards,

Ethan

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@JunaidShah

Bitte an @DeniGu und @MortenCopenhagen

wenden

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Hi @JunaidShah

@EthanL1 is correct. As a business owner you are using the wrong forum.

According to the Local Guides Program Terms and Conditions
Organizations, brands, and businesses are not eligible for the Program. So we should never mix commercial interests with those of being an independent/volunteer Local Guide.

This forum is for volunteer local guides only. As you can see here: “Organizations, brands, and businesses are not eligible for the Local Guides Program”.

Business owners have their own help pages and forum.

Here is the GBP help center and you find the GBP forum here.

Cheers
Morten

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Hello Ethan,

Thank you for your response and comprehensive information. I have followed all the steps you suggested, including seeking assistance via the Google Profile Business Centre and the Google Community. Unfortunately, despite numerous attempts, I have not received any responses. Additionally, I have already submitted a one-time appeal, but encountered limitations in attaching supporting evidence for all four reviews, resulting in it’s rejection.

Given the challenges faced, This was why I am reaching out on here in the hope that Google Moderators, with their enhanced authority, may be able to facilitate contact with Google Support. I am uncertain of what further steps to take, as this platform represents my final recourse.

Warm regards,

Junaid Shah

Luton House Cleaning

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Hello MortenCopenhagen,

Thank you for your response and comprehensive information. Yes, I totally understand you and Ethan are right. I have followed all these steps that have been suggested, including seeking assistance via the Google Profile Business Centre and the Google Community. Unfortunately, despite numerous attempts, I have not received any responses. Additionally, I have already submitted a one-time appeal, but encountered limitations in attaching supporting evidence for all four reviews, resulting in it’s rejection.

Given the challenges faced, This was why I am reaching out on here in the hope that Google Moderators, with their enhanced authority, may be able to facilitate contact with Google Support. I am uncertain of what further steps to take, as this platform represents my final recourse.

Warm regards,

Junaid Shah

Luton House Cleaning

7

Hi again, @JunaidShah

It would be very helpful if you would use the tagging tool when replying to someone here on Connect. Type @ followed by the username. Type slowly. Then we get an e-mail notification and you are more likely to get a prompt reply. Just hitting Reply does not ensure we get notified by email.

The trick to getting help in the community is to make it easy to understand the issue and make it easy to escalate. For this you need to provide all the necessary and relevant information. Include the Maps links, and prior case IDs or links to where this has been discussed before.

Morten

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Hi @JunaidShah ,

We will reach out to you privately. Please keep an eye on your inbox. :blush:

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Hi DeniGu,

Thank you so much. I will be really grateful if you can reach out to me. :pray:

Kind Regards

Junaid Shah

1 Like