--- title: "How to report a fake Google review" url: https://reviewsnot.com/report-a-fake-google-review/ summary: "Flag a review that breaks Google's content policies, then track the report. Google says evaluation typically takes several days." published: 2026-10-02 updated: 2026-10-02 author: "Jack Stovell" publisher: "Adapt Progress Evolve Limited" language: en-GB --- # How to report a fake Google review Flag a review that breaks Google's content policies, then track the report. Google says evaluation typically takes several days. ## Quick answer You can flag a review that breaks Google's content policies from your profile, and follow it in the Reviews management tool. Google says evaluation typically takes several days, and gives you a one-time appeal if it finds no violation. ## Check this first - [ ] Read the review against Google's policies rather than against how unfair it feels. - [ ] Check whether you already reported it: a second report does not speed anything up. - [ ] Decide now how you would reply if it stays, because most reviews do. ## Causes ### It describes an experience that never happened - Status: Platform’s call - Only the platform can change it. Report or appeal. - Google's policy says contributions should reflect a genuine experience at a place or business, and bars fake and misleading content and behaviour. - Fix: Report it, and say in the reason that it does not describe a real visit. - Source: [Prohibited and restricted content — Maps User Contributed Content Policy Help](https://support.google.com/contributionpolicy/answer/7400114?hl=en-GB) ### It was paid for, or traded for something - Status: Platform’s call - Only the platform can change it. Report or appeal. - Google's policy bars fake engagement and rating manipulation, including incentivised or biased reviews. - Fix: Report it. If you have evidence of the offer, keep it for the appeal. - Source: [Prohibited and restricted content — Maps User Contributed Content Policy Help](https://support.google.com/contributionpolicy/answer/7400114?hl=en-GB) ### It is off-topic - Status: Platform’s call - Only the platform can change it. Report or appeal. - Google's policy bars off-topic content: general, political or social commentary that is not about the place. - Fix: Report it as off-topic rather than as false, which is what it actually breaches. - Source: [Prohibited and restricted content — Maps User Contributed Content Policy Help](https://support.google.com/contributionpolicy/answer/7400114?hl=en-GB) ### It is harassment, offensive, or names someone - Status: Platform’s call - Only the platform can change it. Report or appeal. - Google's policy bars harassment, offensive content, and distributing personal information without consent. - Fix: Report it. These are the clearest breaches and the ones most likely to be actioned. - Source: [Prohibited and restricted content — Maps User Contributed Content Policy Help](https://support.google.com/contributionpolicy/answer/7400114?hl=en-GB) ### It is genuine and you simply disagree with it - Status: Can’t be fixed - The platform’s rules say no. We say so plainly. - Google's possible outcomes include “Report reviewed – no policy violation: The review was evaluated and no policy violation was found”. - Fix: Nothing to report. Reply to it instead — a calm public reply is read by everyone who reads the review. - Source: [Report inappropriate reviews on your Business Profile — Google Business Profile Help](https://support.google.com/business/answer/4596773?hl=en-GB) ## Reporting a review, and what happens next 1. Go to your Business Profile 2. Select Read reviews 3. Next to the review that you'd like to flag, select Report 4. Select the reason to flag the review 5. Select Send report Google says review evaluation typically takes several days. In the Reviews management tool a report shows as “Decision pending” until it has been evaluated, “Report reviewed – no policy violation” if none was found, or “Escalated – check your email for updates” once an appeal has been escalated. You get a one-time appeal, and can select up to 10 reviews when you make it. Source: [Report inappropriate reviews on your Business Profile — Google Business Profile Help](https://support.google.com/business/answer/4596773?hl=en-GB) Checked 2026-10-02. There is a review on your profile describing something that did not happen, and you want it gone. You can flag a review that breaks Google's content policies from your own profile, then follow the report in the Reviews management tool. Google says evaluation typically takes several days. If it decides there was no violation you get a one-time appeal, so keep whatever evidence you have. The catch is worth saying first: a review you simply disagree with is not a policy breach, and reporting it will not make it one. The checklist below is about telling the two apart. The causes after it are the policies worth reporting under, sorted by who can act. ## From the same studio Ours: made by the same studio that runs this site. - [ScriptGrain](https://scriptgrain.com/): ScriptGrain writes replies in your own tone of voice, so a measured answer does not take you an hour. - [ReviewNudge](https://reviewnudge.app/): A plain review request with no incentive and no rating filter. ReviewNudge's free builder writes one for text, WhatsApp or email. ## Related - [Reviews meant for a different business](https://reviewsnot.com/reviews-meant-for-another-business/) - [Why a Google review was removed](https://reviewsnot.com/why-a-google-review-was-removed/) ## Sources - [Prohibited and restricted content — Maps User Contributed Content Policy Help](https://support.google.com/contributionpolicy/answer/7400114?hl=en-GB) - [Report inappropriate reviews on your Business Profile — Google Business Profile Help](https://support.google.com/business/answer/4596773?hl=en-GB) ## Questions people ask ### How long does Google take to decide? Google says review evaluation typically takes several days. ### What does “Decision pending” mean? Google says it means the review is flagged, but it has not been evaluated yet. ### Can I appeal if Google says there is no violation? Yes, once. Google gives a one-time appeal, and you can select up to 10 reviews when you make it. ### Does reporting a review more than once help? No. One report puts it in the queue; repeating it does not move it. ### Can I get a bad review removed because it is unfair? No. Google removes reviews that break its content policies, not reviews a business disagrees with.