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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, checked
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, checked
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, checked
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, checked
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, checked
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Reporting
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, checked
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Questions
Google says review evaluation typically takes several days.
Google says it means the review is flagged, but it has not been evaluated yet.
Yes, once. Google gives a one-time appeal, and you can select up to 10 reviews when you make it.
No. One report puts it in the queue; repeating it does not move it.
No. Google removes reviews that break its content policies, not reviews a business disagrees with.
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