Reviews left by minors

Google Maps tips & tricks
1

On Gmaps, people leave reviews. This is normal.

I encourage our youth to learn and experiment with Gmaps and technology.

My question revolves around the idea of how authentic are these reviews, when they are negative or one star ratings. Business could be effected by these reviews and ratings.

Can these reviews left by minors be erased or removed?

16 Likes
2

Hi @O_Nate ,

Thanks for sharing your question on Connect.

In general the reviews shared by a Local Guide for a business place, could be reported by the business owner if they consider the information as inappropriate.

You can also flag reviews as inappropriate:

  1. On your computer, open Google Maps.
  2. Find the review that violates Google’s review policies.
  3. Next to the review, click More > Flag as inappropriate.

Please only keep in mind that the individuals who are below 18 years old are not supposed to participate as Local Guides according to the rules.

I’m moving your post to the How-tos section of Connect, where you can post similar questions.

3 Likes
3

Minors is a large definition, @O_Nate , and in Google there are two borders:

Under 13: Create a Google Account for your child

18 and over: According to the Local Guides Program Terms and Conditions , to be a Local Guide you have to “be at least 18 years of age”

The grey area between 13 and 18 depends mostly of the law of your country, and in many country the parents are responsible for the actions of a son.

Add supervision to an existing Google Account will give some tip about this part.

So I agree totally with what indicated by @KatyaL , with only one distinction: The word Local Guides should not be used, because a minor cannot be a Local Guide, even if of course, a minor can write a review, that can of course be reported if necessary

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@ErmesT the person in question indicated that s/he was 10 years old. It is easy to forget that Gmaps is worldwide and that the word minor has a large grey area.

Regardless, the business has reported the review. However, the review hasn’t been removed. This was the reason for the question, initially.

They wanted to know what steps they could take.

5

@KatyaL thank-you for the information and feedback.

The business has already flagged the review as inappropriate. We appreciate the help.

1 Like
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Thanks for your confirmation @O_Nate and thanks @ErmesT for the tips, too!

Have a good day both :blush:

2 Likes