Which one of these photo's or what part of the review text is conflicting?

[Latte]

I’ve got one of my reviews shadow-banned but can’t figure out why.

Went through the ToS/Guidelines but there are no QR codes (yes, don’t post QR codes!!), alcohol or other obvious promotions in there, just pics of the food we had and the location similar to what other people posted…

All photo’s from the review have plenty views but my wife or friends don’t see any of them, perhaps it’s in the review text?
I’ve also had literally similar photo’s/videos with the red menu in the background (which is a good trick btw to ensure other people’s privacy and get a nice background for editing) posted of the same place a bit later, as I had to edit more and these all show, their views are 10x.

I had this before with other reviews. Turned out I made a photo of a beer with a nice background, removed it and literally seconds later it popped up. Same with QR codes that we to visible for a weed dispensary (we have thousands of them here in Bangkok), removed it and seconds later the review was live.

Link is not active of course as its hidden, but easy to find back and see if it pop’s up.
https://goo.gl/maps/JtJ9xLThrUM58swk8

Any help, much appreciated.

[Latte]

This is the photo btw that blocked one of the reviews, it was to obviously promotion of alcohol.

[LightRich]

Saludos @Latte !

Quiero darte mi opinión sobre la reseña que nos compartes y que quizá pueda explicar porque se ocultó y no esta disponible para que la vean otros usuarios, pero quiero reiterar que esto es sólo mi impresión al leerla.

En general veo que es una reseña mucho mas larga de lo habitual, lo cual no debe ser un problema pero junto con otros elementos de tu reseña pueden contribuir a que la inteligencia artificial la oculte.

En segundo lugar la reseña es extremadamente positiva y luce como si fuera un infomercial, es decir la manera en que esta redactada suena como si un profesional dedicado a hacer críticas de restaurantes hubiera sido contratado para reseñar una visita al lugar. Da la impresión de ser el texto que usaría un influencer para colocar como voz en off en un reel de instagram de su visita al lugar. En mi opinión, y repito solo es mi opinión que no tiene la intención de molestar, no me parece que la manera en que esta redactada suene natural.

Es muy posible que el algoritmo detecte este tipo de redacción y oculte reseñas que tiene este patrón en su estructura, es decir que las clasifique como “fake engagement”.

Será muy interesante leer las opiniones de otros local guides que puedan leer esta publicación. Mientras tanto te envío un saludo.

[Latte]

Sorry but i dont speak that language and there is not translate option here.

[Mikeinthefalls]

Hey there @Latte

I can totally understand your frustration. I have had Reviews hidden and lost Featured photos because of it. I know that my Reviews are my own opinion and that my words are my own, so it’s a little disappointing when it’s not displayed.

Before I comment on what I think might help get your Review shared publicly, I wanted to compliment you on your excellent photos. Very nice! I also like the menu tip - That’s a solid idea.

I have no way to know what the Al doesn’t like about your Review, specifically. But I’ve done a good but of trial and error and would suggest removing the emoji.

Your Review is rather glowing and as @LightRich mentioned, there’s a good chance that the AI will have some setting that monitors for such. We shouldn’t have to be so cautious of sharing a really positive Review if we’ve had a really positive experience, but the fake reviews that have become much more prominent and a much larger issue have made it a fact of life as a Local Guide.

I’ve stopped using emojis and I rarely use exclamation points anymore. I’m interested to hear if removing the emoji makes a difference? Best of luck in your attempts and search for an answer!

*You should have a drop down box in the top right of your screen that allows you to translate any post or comment.

[Latte]

Thank you for the kind words. I use emojis often and they usually don’t get blocked or I would be missing more than 2 reviews out of nearly 300 Also not frustrated, just want to learn what to avoid.

The translation box is not showing on cellphone, or at least not on my Google Pixel 7 Pro and of course I forgot to check when I was on my PC but good tip, will check.

[Latte]

Thank you @LightRich

Regards @Latte!

I want to give you my opinion about the review that you share with us and that maybe I can explain why it was hidden and is not available for other users to see, but I want to reiterate that this is only my impression when reading it.

In general I see that it is a much longer review than usual, which should not be a problem but together with other elements of your review they can contribute to the artificial intelligence hiding it.

Second, the review is extremely positive and looks like an infomercial, meaning the way it’s written sounds like a professional restaurant reviewer has been hired to review a visit to the place. It gives the impression of being the text that an influencer would use to place as a voiceover in an instagram reel of his visit to the place. In my opinion, and I repeat it is only my opinion that is not intended to offend, the way in which it is written does not seem natural to me.

It is very possible that the algorithm detects this type of writing and hides reviews that have this pattern in their structure, that is, it classifies them as “fake engagement”.

It will be very interesting to read the opinions of other local guides who may read this post. In the meantime I send you my regards.

You are second person saying this and although I think it would be a really odd reason, as aren’t we supposed to write an honest and complete review? In my opinion if this is the reason why the AI hides it, Google has to adjust and tweak a little.

I always try to leave a positive response, even when there are negatives, I try to swing it with constrictive feedback…That’s btw not only my character but also self protection as the laws in Thailand are a bit odd…You can get barred from reentry if a company owner takes offense and files a complaint (even when you are, like me,.living here…) Something I won’t risk.

I’ll see if shortening will work

Thanks again for all the feedback, learning every day.

[Mikeinthefalls]

@Latte the translate box should be easy to locate on your Pixel, as that’s what I’m using as well.

There are many reasons that a review can be blocked. I’ve had reviews go public after removing emojis and exclamation points. I agree, it makes little to no sense.

Good luck

[Latte]

@Mikeinthefalls already made it shorter per previous suggestions and now removed emojis and ! As well. Will ask a friend tomorrow if it now shows. Thanks for your feedback

[Latte]

@Mikeinthefalls well I’m lost my wife checked this morning and it didn’t show. Next she sends me this one from.someone else… Emojis, caps, exclamation marks and that one simply shows.

I don’t get it.

[Latte]

@LightRich this is the edited review, shorter, removed all excitement and emoji’s and surely am not fake. Just feeling a bit let down and slightly less motivated. It’s such a guessing game, especially when you see other reviews like the above do show. I’m a bit lost now. Would help a lot if we get to see the reason why something is hidden.

In case it’s an AI ‘thinking’ it’s fake engagement, then that’s a bit of a bummer and insulting, right? After all it should count for something providing good and tons of Google Maps additions for the past 5, 6, 7? Years and not being put away as fake.

On a sidenote; ALL photos are public showing 100-200+ counts, so it’s definitely not the photos included, only the review is hidden.

[Mikeinthefalls]

@Latte I read your initial comment first and had hopes that you had made changes that would get your Review to show public…

Then, I read your follow up. I completely agree - it really doesn’t make much sense?

I can only make guesses at this point. I’m going to send you a message to discuss.