Common Mistakes Businesses Make When Trying

Managing online reputation has never been more crucial than in 2025. With Google being the dominant player in local search, a single negative review can impact your brand’s credibility. While businesses are eager to get rid of misleading or false reviews, many make common mistakes in the process. Avoiding these pitfalls can help you navigate the Google review removal process effectively and protect your business reputation.

1. Not Understanding Google’s Review Policies

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is attempting to remove reviews without first understanding Google’s content policies. Google has strict guidelines on what constitutes a removable review. Reviews that include hate speech, spam, fake content, or conflicts of interest are eligible for removal. However, negative feedback about a genuine customer experience does not qualify. Many businesses waste time trying to remove legitimate reviews, only to have their requests denied.

2. Responding Aggressively to Negative Reviews

When business owners see an unfair review, emotions can take over, leading to aggressive or defensive responses. This can backfire, making the business look unprofessional. Instead, responding politely and professionally shows potential customers that you care about feedback and are willing to improve. A well-crafted response can even encourage the reviewer to update or remove their negative feedback voluntarily.

3. Flagging Reviews Repeatedly

Another common mistake is repeatedly flagging the same review in hopes that Google will eventually take action. Google’s algorithm does not work based on the number of flags but rather on whether the review violates its guidelines. Instead of excessive flagging, businesses should focus on reporting only those reviews that genuinely breach Google’s policies.

4. Asking Employees or Friends to Leave Positive Reviews

Some businesses try to counteract negative reviews by asking employees or friends to post positive feedback. This violates Google’s policies and can lead to penalties, including the removal of all reviews or even a suspension of the business profile. Instead of faking reviews, encourage real customers to share their authentic experiences.

5. Not Providing Sufficient Evidence for Fake Reviews

Google does not remove a review just because a business claims it is fake. Many businesses fail to provide concrete evidence when reporting fake reviews. If you suspect a review is fraudulent, gather proof such as order details, email interactions, or security logs showing that the reviewer was never a customer. Submitting a well-documented report increases the chances of a successful removal.

6. Ignoring Google’s Legal Removal Request Option

For defamatory or legally questionable reviews, businesses can submit a legal removal request through Google. Many businesses are unaware of this option and fail to take advantage of it. If a review contains false allegations that harm your reputation, consulting legal counsel and submitting a request through Google’s legal process might be the best course of action.

7. Relying Solely on Google Support

Some businesses assume that reaching out to Google support directly will guarantee a review’s removal. While support can provide guidance, they cannot override policies. Instead of relying solely on Google’s customer service, businesses should use a strategic approach—flagging the review, responding professionally, and gathering evidence before escalating the issue.

8. Not Monitoring Reviews Regularly

Many businesses only check their reviews when an issue arises. However, regular monitoring can help identify fake or misleading reviews early. Utilizing tools like BrightLocal can help track and manage your online reputation, making it easier to spot and handle problematic reviews before they impact your business.

9. Failing to Encourage Positive Reviews

While businesses often focus on removing negative reviews, they forget to proactively encourage happy customers to leave positive feedback. A strong base of positive reviews can overshadow occasional negative ones. Businesses should integrate review requests into their customer experience strategy—such as through follow-up emails or incentives—to build a positive reputation over time.