Hi everyone,
I’ve been writing and posting Google reviews for a while now without any issues. Lately however, I’ve sometimes gotten a message that my post was in violation and couldn’t be posted. I have read and reread the guidelines and really cannot find any faults. I apologise that I can’t share examples (yet) as I have given up and have deleted most of them. But maybe there is something general that I need to address?
Also, I’ve now written a few new reviews as we’re traveling and have visited hotels and restaurants. Usually, reviews are visible almost instantly especially when on WiFi but I now noticed that most recent reviews are still pending? What’s going on? I’ve also included photos and they’re not visible (either). I’m at a loss. Thanks for any tips!
3 Likes
Hi @BarkingMice
The spam filter is causing what you are experiencing.
Keep in mind that the trigger might not be in the review text itself. Try deleting the attached photos and check if your review goes public. If so, try adding the photos back one by one and keep checking. This way you can figure out which photo was the culprit.
Furthermore, the spam filter looks at your overall performance and track record as a local guide. So completely unrelated violations can also cause reviews to be removed from public view.
Feel free to share screenshots of a couple of your hidden reviews for a check.
Cheers
Morten
1 Like
Hi Morten,
thanks so much for your reply. I apologise for not checking back sooner. The issue kind of slipped my mind. Since I posted my issue, I have had two more reviews that are giving issues.
I’ve attached screenshots of both of them as I cannot share the reviews themselves.
I don’t get it. The photos are of food or the venue, mostly without people and if guests couldn’t be avoided, they’re hardly recognisable. I always make sure of that. I’ve also changed the text multiple times and made the review shorter. I focus mainly on service, food and dog friendliness of venues so the texts are absolutely harmless.
My overall performance and track record as local guide has been impeccable and have never caused any violations.
Thanks again for your help. Please let me know if you need any further information.
This, by the way, is a different error message that simply states that there were problems with the posts upload. It doesn’t specify what’s wrong. Also, I’m at home using a fast WiFi connection. However, these two reviews keep giving me issues.
Hi @BarkingMice
Did you do what I suggested:
Remove the photos and check if the review text goes public. If so we know that it is not your text that trigger the spam filter.
I can see that you are in the EU. Did you check if there is an appeals button under Details? If so please use it.
Cheers
Morten
1 Like
@BarkingMice
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.
Morten
1 Like
Hi @MortenCopenhagen , I had to wait because I didn’t have any reviews that caused issues but I think I have one now. I did as you suggest and after my initial reviews with photos, I deleted it, re-wrote and excluded any photos. 6 minutes later it was still uploaded. Now I’ve uploaded a couple of photos and all of a sudden the review is “ still posting”, so it looks like there’s a problem there. I really don’t get it. They’re all my photos and any photos that show, for instance license plates, I block the license plates or whatever personal information is on there. I so appreciate your information because as far as I’m concerned, I’m not doing anything wrong and I’m adhering to Google guidelines. I can’t share the review with you as it’s “still posting” but I csn provide some screenshots if that’ll help?
edit/ I did delete all my photos and kept only the text which was fine and it posted no problem. Then I added only a few of my photos and all of a sudden it said “posting”. Even though I haven’t gotten the official ‘violation notice’ yet, I know that if my posts say “posting”, there will be one, And no there’s no appeal button. Sadly.
1 Like
@BarkingMice
All your 280 reviews are still hidden…
I can not remember your issue when a full month goes be between updates
Did you try the form for hidden contributions?
Cheers
Morten
?? @MortenCopenhagen my reviews aren’t hidden. Everybody can read them, so I’m a bit confused? It’s just a few that caused issues because they’re supposedly in violation with Google’s guidelines. I deleted those but now this one:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SoPLnKFm4bKfkd9U6?g_st=ic
and of course I don’t expect you to remember.
ps. It looks like it’s okay now. I’ve deleted the owner’s name and now it seems to go through. Could it be that simple?
Sorry, @BarkingMice
My mistake.
I checked again and 275 of your 280 reviews are public.
Cheers
Morten
No worries.
That’s weird, that still means that a few aren’t. I’m not sure how I can check that but I’ll try.
@MortenCopenhagen it looks like removing the owner’s name solved the problem. The review is still up. I don’t know how to to check the missing reviews though. I see “280” reviews but I don’t see how many are truly visible.
@BarkingMice
Use Incognito mode to see which are published.
If you are on a Desktop use this link to Count your hidden contributions. From a mobile device use this link.
If you want to identify which of your reviews are hidden check this post.
Best of luck
Morten
@MortenCopenhagen
thanks so much! When we get back from celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary, I’ll absolutely dive into this. Thanks again and enjoy your evening!
1 Like
@MortenCopenhagen
Well, it seems all is not well as I now found the status of my review (of Pavone restaurant) to be “posting” - which, to me bodes ill. I’ll include some screenshots as I assume you will not be able to see the review (anymore). It’s just the text as apparently all the photos were gone. I have the original in Dutch so I can send you that and the translation if that would help.
/edit 22:09 (so much for a celebration eh?), I’ve uploaded the photos again and are waiting to see what happens. I swear I’m at a loss.
edit 8 May; nope, still won’t post. Apparently there is something in the te t?
