Google Map Reviewers' Relevancy

Connections & celebrations
1

:red_circle: Google Map Reviews showing Irrelevant Content After Sept 1st, 2025 Update

:blue_circle: Hello Local Guides Team,

● My first time typing here. :yellow_square: I am a Level 10 Local Guide (since Dec 2024) who has been contributing detailed, well-written reviews and high-quality photos to Google Maps for years.

:black_large_square: My reviews have consistently appeared at the top of the “Most relevant” section, helping users discover reliable information about eateries, cafes, parks and retail spaces.

:yellow_square: However, after the Sept 1st 2025 update, I noticed a significant change. :right_arrow:Many of my detailed reviews with clear photos are now pushed to the bottom, while reviews from brand-new Level 1 users—sometimes irrelevant or low-effort—are being pinned at the very top.

:red_square: For eg, at Tangs Department Store (Orchard Road, Singapore), a Level 1 reviewer posted just a single photo of himself sitting on a massage chair, with no meaningful review text, and it is now displayed first in “Most relevant”. :right_arrow: Meanwhile, carefully written reviews with interior shots and useful details for other visitors are buried lower.

:green_square: This feels completely illogical and discouraging for long-time contributors.:red_square::right_arrow: It undermines the purpose / effort of the “Most relevant” section, which should highlight content that is genuinely helpful to people making decisions.

:black_large_square: I fully understand that Google is improving its systems to fight spam, promote diversity, and surface fresh reviews. :black_small_square:︎But right now, the balance seems off—quality, effort, and reviewer experience appear to be disregarded.

:red_square::right_arrow: Could the Maps team please clarify:

:red_square: Has the weighting of “Most relevant” been changed to prioritize recency or novelty over content quality?

:orange_circle: How can detailed, useful contributions from long-time Local Guides be better protected from being buried under irrelevant posts?

:red_square: Are there plans to improve the algorithm so that helpful content ( :blue_circle: not selfies or off-topic photos) gets the visibility it deserves?

:green_square: I love contributing to Google Maps and want to continue helping the community. But this change makes many Local Guides feel that years of hard work are being devalued.

:blue_square:Thank you for your time and attention, and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely yours,

● Florence Leow from Singapore🟨Level 10 Local Guide

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3

Hi @pukka128

The order in which reviews are listed depends on which profile you are logged in to. Maps users will always see their own review listed first under places they have reviewed. This does not mean other users are seeing your review at the top also.

Maybe you checked from a friend phone or a computer not logged into your Maps account.

Please check if this can explain what you reported.

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