suspicious local guide reviews- how do I get someone to take a look?

Google Maps tips & tricks
1

Hi,

I was browsing some local reviews when I found a reviewer who has several hundred reviews, but they are nearly all single word reviews, many of the words are identical, and they are virtually all 5 stars. Some of the ones that are not a single word, do not make sense for the location (e.g. “great day out” at a self storage location) . A small number of reviews look genuine, it looks like the guide has been review stuffing to improve their rating, not those of the businesses. How do I get someone to take a look at this?

Thanks in advance,

Tim

9 Likes
2

Hi @Tim-B , thank you For reaching us.

Please read this post to know how to report a Local Guide: How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps

3

Ok, I read that and it seems to fall under:

.::Reporting a Local Guide

If you’ve found a Local Guide contributing content or behaving in a way that seems to violate our policies or Local Guides program rules, let us know here on Connect—but be sure not to share that person’s information publicly. Create a post about the issue and tag a Google Moderator. The team will reach out to you via private message with instructions on how to proceed further.

Following the first link the reviewer’s conduct may fall under:
submit fake, falsified, misleading or inappropriate reviews, edits or removals.

(it’s a bit tricky but one word reviews with 5* ratings could be just as misleading as fake 1-2* reviews)

So, if I understand it correctly, I should post on here (not totally sure where in here as this does not seem to work like a forum or a social media platform :frowning: help!), and tag someone like you. I have not included any details about the individual. What should I do next?

4

yes @Tim-B

tagging means mention someone using the @ symbol, followed by the username of the moderator. in this way the moderator will be notified.

I am tagging @VasT for you, in this case

5

Hello colegue Tim B

What you are telling coincide my sayings. Many photos that are put in the maps are their personal birthday photos(celebrited In their homes not on that places.) Google should take it seriously because these type of unwanted go on filling and makes Google from white sheet to dark patches.

@

KRISHNA

KRISHNA

6

Hi @Tim-B , thank you for reaching out. I will now send you a private message with instructions how to report said Local Guides. Just keep in mind we won’t be able to share the results of the investigation with you.

@ErmesT thank you for tagging me.

7

Thanks for that. I have now replied to the PM- I understand I won’t know the outcome, but that is ok. Hopefully it will mean better reviews in the long run.