Why Your Google Reviews Might Appear to Be Missing

If you’ve recently noticed that your Google Business Profile is showing fewer reviews than expected, you’re not alone. Many business owners are experiencing a temporary issue where their review count appears lower than it actually is. The good news? The reviews themselves have not been deleted. Instead, a display issue is causing some reviews to be hidden, making it seem like they’re missing.

In this article, we’ll break down why this is happening, what you can do about it, and how to ensure your business continues to thrive despite temporary glitches.

The Current Google Reviews Issue

Google has acknowledged that some business profiles are incorrectly displaying a lower review count due to a temporary bug. While this can be frustrating, Google has confirmed that these reviews haven’t been removed or deleted—they’re simply not appearing correctly on some listings.

For business owners who rely on reviews to build trust and credibility, this can be a serious concern. But before assuming the worst, it’s essential to understand the difference between a display issue and an actual review removal due to policy violations.

Common Reasons Why Google Reviews Might Disappear

While the current issue is a temporary glitch, Google does sometimes remove reviews for legitimate reasons. If you’re seeing missing reviews, consider the following possibilities:

1. Google’s Display Bug

• If your review count suddenly dropped but you haven’t violated any guidelines, it’s likely due to Google’s known issue.
• In this case, the reviews are still in the system, and Google is working on restoring the correct count.

2. Reviews Removed for Policy Violations

Google enforces strict review guidelines to prevent spam, fake reviews, and inappropriate content. Reviews that violate these rules may be permanently removed. Some common violations include:

• Spam or fake reviews (e.g., businesses paying for reviews or using bots).
• Reviews containing offensive language, hate speech, or illegal content.
• Reviews from employees or people with conflicts of interest.
• Reviews promoting another business or containing irrelevant content.

If a review was removed due to a policy violation, it will not be restored.

3. Reviews Flagged by Google’s Automated Filters

• Google’s algorithm automatically detects suspicious or low-quality reviews and may hide them temporarily for further review.
• If a genuine review was mistakenly filtered, it may eventually be restored.

4. User Deletion or Account Issues

• If a customer deletes their review or their Google account is suspended, their reviews will be removed permanently.
• This can also happen if a user was found to be violating Google’s terms of service.

5. Changes to Your Business Profile Information

• If your business recently changed its name, location, or category, some reviews might temporarily disappear while Google updates the profile.
• In most cases, they will reappear once Google re-verifies the changes.

What Can You Do If Your Google Reviews Are Missing?

If you’ve determined that your reviews are missing due to Google’s temporary display issue, the best course of action is to wait for Google to fix it. However, if you suspect that reviews were removed due to other reasons, here’s what you can do:

1. Check Google’s Business Profile Help Center

• Google regularly updates its support threads with information about known issues.
• You can check Google’s Help Center for updates on the review count issue.

2. Ask Customers to Repost Reviews

• If a review was mistakenly removed or filtered, you can reach out to the customer and politely ask them to resubmit their review.
• Provide them with a direct link to your Google Business Profile to make it easy.

3. Monitor Your Review Activity

• Keep track of your Google reviews using the Google Business Profile Manager.
• If reviews disappear, note the date and any changes you made to your profile.

4. Contact Google Support

• If you strongly believe that legitimate reviews were removed by mistake, you can contact Google Business Profile Support and request a review.
• Be prepared to provide details, such as the missing reviews’ approximate dates and the names of customers who left them.

5. Encourage New Reviews

• If you’ve lost reviews, focus on getting new ones. Encourage satisfied customers to leave fresh feedback.
• Use email follow-ups, social media, and QR codes to make it easier for customers to review your business.

How Missing Reviews Impact Your Business

While losing reviews—even temporarily—can be frustrating, remember that your overall reputation matters more than a single glitch. Here’s how you can maintain your credibility:

1. Stay Transparent with Customers

If customers notice missing reviews, be honest about the situation. Let them know it’s a Google issue and reassure them that you’re actively monitoring it.

2. Diversify Your Review Strategy

Don’t rely solely on Google. Encourage customers to leave reviews on platforms like Yelp, Facebook, and more.

3. Maintain Excellent Customer Service

No matter how many reviews you have, the best way to build trust is to deliver great service. Happy customers will always share their experiences.

Final Thoughts

The current issue affecting Google Business Profile review counts is temporary, and Google is working to resolve it. While it’s frustrating to see fewer reviews than expected, rest assured that your hard-earned feedback is not gone forever.

However, if your reviews were removed due to policy violations, there may be no way to restore them. In this case, focus on earning new reviews by continuing to provide exceptional service and engaging with your customers.

Need Help Managing Your Online Reputation?

At AltaVista Strategic Partners, we specialize in helping businesses build and protect their online presence. Whether you need assistance managing your Google Business Profile, generating new reviews, or optimizing your digital marketing strategy, we’re here to help.

Contact us today to learn how we can help your business thrive, even in the face of Google’s unpredictable changes!

Aaron Hockel

Aaron Hockel is a Partner and the VP of Digital Marketing at AltaVista Strategic Partners. A University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) alumnus, Aaron crafts digital marketing strategies that drive success for clients, leveraging his deep industry knowledge.