Google Review Not Showing Up? 20 Reasons & How to Fix It

Google reviews play an important role in influencing potential customers’ decisions. As a major search platform for any type of shopping and decision-making process, Google stands as a significant place to gather details about any business. When these reviews aren’t available for your business or GMB profile, it can make customers ignore your services or products. 

Recent studies show that 93% of people read reviews before making an online purchase, and 87% of people check for reviews on Google before booking a venue, hotel, or restaurant. Additionally, 73% of people prefer opting for businesses that have recent and real reviews rather than those with just ratings.

In this blog post, we’ll explore 20 main reasons of a Google review not showing up might not show up, how to address the issue, and best practices for managing your Google reviews effectively.

What is a Google Review?

A Google review is feedback customers leave on a business’s Google My Business (GMB) listing. These reviews include a star rating (from 1 to 5 stars) and a written comment about the customer’s experience with the business. Google reviews are essential for building a business’s online reputation and can significantly impact its visibility in search results.

A Google Review appears directly on the business’s Google My Business (GMB) profile and consists of two key elements:

• Star Rating (1-5 stars): This provides a quick and easy way for users to gauge the overall customer sentiment towards the business.
• Written Comment: This section allows customers to elaborate on their experience, detailing the pros, cons, or specific aspects of their interaction with the business.

Google Reviews are necessary for both businesses and customers. This can be better understood by considering the following points:

• For customers – 93% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase. Positive reviews build trust and credibility, influencing potential customers to choose your business.
• For business – 72% of consumers say positive reviews make them trust a local business more. Google reviews are a significant factor in local search engine optimization (SEO). Businesses with strong review profiles tend to rank higher in local search results, increasing visibility for potential customers searching for your products or services.

What is Google’s Review Policy?

Google has strict policies regarding reviews to ensure they are genuine, useful, and trustworthy. These policies are designed to protect both consumers and businesses by maintaining the integrity of the review system. Here are some key aspects of Google’s review policy:

• Spam and Fake Content

Google prohibits reviews that are spam or fake. This includes reviews that are posted multiple times, are generated by bots, or are not based on real customer experiences. The goal is to ensure that all reviews reflect genuine interactions with the business.

• Offensive or Inappropriate Content

Reviews that contain offensive language, hate speech, or inappropriate content are not allowed. Google aims to create a respectful environment for all users, and any reviews that violate this principle are removed.

• Conflict of Interest

Google’s policies prevent conflicts of interest, such as reviews written by business owners, employees, or anyone with a personal connection to the business. This ensures that reviews are unbiased and based on real customer experiences.

• Advertising and Promotional Content

Reviews should not include advertising or promotional content. This means businesses cannot use reviews to promote their products or services, and any such reviews will be flagged and removed.

• Off-Topic Reviews

Reviews that do not pertain to the business or the specific customer experience are considered off-topic and are not allowed. Google focuses on reviews that provide valuable insights into the actual experiences of customers.

• Prohibited Content

Google also restricts reviews that include restricted content, such as confidential information, illegal content, or content that promotes illegal activities. Ensuring compliance with legal standards is a key part of Google’s policy.

Google actively monitors and removes reviews that violate these guidelines to maintain the quality and trustworthiness of its review system. By enforcing these policies, Google helps ensure that reviews are helpful to potential customers and reflect authentic experiences with businesses. This makes the review system a reliable resource for people looking to make informed decisions.

What is a Google-verified Customer Review?

A Google-verified customer review is a review left by a customer who has interacted with the business, and this interaction is verified through Google’s systems. These reviews are generated through specific transactions, such as purchasing a product, booking a service, or visiting a location. The verification process ensures that the review comes from an actual customer who has genuinely engaged with the business, rather than someone with no real experience of the service or product. If a business uses unverified reviews, it can face the issue of a Google review not showing up in its profile.

Google uses various methods to verify these reviews:

1. Transaction Verification: Google can verify purchases made through Google Shopping, reservations made through Google, or services booked via Google integrations. When a customer completes a transaction through these channels, the review they leave is tagged as verified.
2. Location Verification: For businesses that require physical visits, such as restaurants or hotels, Google can verify the visit through location tracking (if the user has location services enabled). This helps ensure that the reviewer has indeed visited the place.
3. Service Usage: For services booked online, such as appointments or tickets, Google can track and verify the completion of these services through linked accounts and integrated services.

20 Reasons for a Google Review Not Showing Up and How to Fix It

Whether you’re a small business owner or a large enterprise, understanding why these reviews may not show up is essential. The 20 common reasons for a Google Review not showing up are listed below along with the practical solutions to fix these issues.

1. Violating Google’s Review Policy

If a review violates Google’s guidelines, it will be removed. Google’s review policy is designed to ensure that reviews are genuine, relevant, and useful. Reviews that contain offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, or promotional content are likely to be flagged and removed. This is one of the major causes of a Google Review not showing up.

How to Fix It:

• Educate Customers: Inform your customers about Google’s review policies and encourage them to write honest, relevant, and respectful reviews.
• Monitor Reviews: Regularly check the reviews on your GMB profile and report any that you believe have been wrongly flagged.
• Appeal Removals: If you believe a legitimate review was mistakenly removed, contact Google support to appeal the decision.

2. Review is Marked as Spam

Another major reason for a Google Review not showing up is Google’s algorithms may detect a review as spam, especially if it contains suspicious links, repetitive phrases, or looks like it was copied from other sources. Spammy reviews undermine the integrity of the review system, so Google takes measures to identify and remove them.

How to Fix It:

• Ensure Authenticity: Encourage customers to write unique and personalized reviews rather than generic comments.
• Avoid Soliciting Reviews with Incentives: Offering incentives for reviews can lead to spammy or insincere feedback. Instead, ask for honest reviews based on real experiences.
• Report False Positives: If a genuine review is mistakenly marked as spam, report it to Google for reevaluation.

3. Duplicate Reviews

Google Review not showing up can also occur if you use duplicate reviews. If the same review is posted multiple times, it may be flagged and removed. Duplicate reviews can occur if customers accidentally submit their reviews more than once or if a business attempts to boost its ratings by reposting reviews.

How to Fix It:

• Monitor Submissions: Keep an eye on the reviews being posted and ensure that duplicates are avoided.
• Encourage Unique Reviews: Ask customers to share new insights and experiences rather than copying previous reviews.
• Remove Duplicates: If you notice duplicate reviews, ask the customer to remove the extra ones or report them to Google.

4. New Reviews Take Time to Appear

Timing can also be a major reason for a Google review not showing up as new reviews might not show up immediately as they can take a few days to be processed and displayed. Google uses this time to verify the authenticity of the reviews and ensure they comply with their guidelines. 

How to Fix It:

• Be Patient: Understand that there is a processing period for new reviews to appear. Inform your customers about this delay so they are not concerned if their review does not show up right away.
• Track Reviews: Use tools like Google Alerts or GMB notifications to monitor when new reviews go live.
• Communicate with Customers: Let customers know that their review may take a few days to appear and thank them for their patience.

5. Account Issues

If the reviewer’s Google account is flagged for suspicious activity, their reviews may be hidden. This could happen if the account has been reported for violating Google’s terms of service or if it shows signs of unusual behavior.

How to Fix It:

• Verify Customer Accounts: Encourage customers to use their main, active Google account to leave reviews.
• Report Issues: If a customer’s review is not showing up due to account issues, they should contact Google support to resolve any problems with their account.
• Provide Alternatives: If customers cannot use their Google account, suggest they leave feedback on other review platforms or directly on your website.

6. Business Profile Suspended

A suspended Google My Business (GMB) profile can cause all reviews to disappear temporarily. Google suspends profiles that violate its guidelines or terms of service. This can be due to incorrect business information, misleading content, or suspicious activity associated with the account.

How to Fix It:

• Check Account Status: Regularly monitor your GMB account to ensure it is in good standing. If your profile is suspended, Google will notify you of the reasons for suspension.
• Follow Guidelines: Ensure your business information is accurate and complies with Google’s guidelines.
• Resolve Issues: If your profile is suspended, follow the instructions provided by Google to resolve the issues. You may need to verify your business information or address specific concerns raised by Google.

7. Inactive GMB Account

An inactive GMB account may lead to a Google review not showing up. Google prioritizes active and regularly updated profiles. If a business profile is not maintained, Google may consider it inactive, affecting the visibility of reviews.

How to Fix It:

• Keep Your Profile Active: Regularly update your business information, add new photos, and post updates to keep your GMB profile active.
• Engage with Customers: Respond to reviews, both positive and negative, to show that you are actively managing your profile.
• Use GMB Features: Take advantage of GMB features like posts, Q&A, and messaging to maintain an active presence.

8. Review Contains Prohibited Content

Reviews that contain prohibited content such as offensive language, inappropriate material, or irrelevant information will be removed by Google and result in that Google review not showing up. This ensures that reviews are helpful and relevant to other users.

How to Fix It:

• Educate Reviewers: Inform customers about the type of content that is acceptable in reviews. Encourage them to focus on their experience with your business.
• Monitor Reviews: Regularly review the feedback left on your GMB profile to identify and address any prohibited content.
• Report Violations: If you find reviews that violate Google’s content guidelines, report them to Google for removal.

9. Review Left by a Non-Google User

Only reviews from users with a Google account will appear on GMB profiles. If a customer tries to leave a review without signing into their Google account, the review will not be posted and result in the Google review not showing up.

How to Fix It:

• Guide Customers: Provide clear instructions to customers on how to leave a review, including the need to sign into their Google account.
• Offer Support: Assist customers who are unfamiliar with the process of creating a Google account or leaving a review.
• Provide Alternatives: Encourage customers to leave feedback on other review platforms if they do not have a Google account.

10. Technical Glitches

Sometimes, technical issues on Google’s end can result in a Google review not showing up. These glitches can occur due to system updates, server issues, or bugs in the GMB platform.

How to Fix It:

• Monitor Google Updates: Stay informed about any updates or maintenance activities on the GMB platform that might affect review visibility.
• Report Issues: If you notice that reviews are disappearing or not showing up, report the issue to Google support.
• Be Patient: Technical glitches are usually temporary. Give it some time and check back later to see if the reviews reappear.

11. Review  Not Verified

Unverified reviews might not show up on your Google My Business profile. Verified reviews are those where Google can confirm that the reviewer has genuinely interacted with the business, either through a purchase, a visit, or another form of engagement. These reviews are given more weight and visibility because they are considered more trustworthy.

How to Fix It:

• Encourage Verified Reviews: Ask customers to leave reviews after making a purchase or using your service. Inform them that verified reviews carry more weight.
• Use Google Tools: Integrate Google services such as Google Shopping or Google Reservations, which can automatically verify transactions.
• Follow Up: Send follow-up emails or messages to customers, thanking them for their business and requesting a review. Include a link to your GMB profile to make the process easier.

12. Google Algorithm Update

Google frequently updates its algorithms to improve the accuracy and reliability of its search results, including how reviews are displayed. These updates can sometimes affect the visibility of reviews on your GMB profile.

How to Fix It:

• Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with Google’s updates by following their official blog and industry news. Understanding these changes can help you adapt your strategies.
• Maintain High Standards: Continuously ensure that your reviews comply with Google’s guidelines and encourage detailed, genuine reviews.
• Monitor Impact: Use tools to monitor any changes in your review visibility and overall search ranking. If you notice significant drops, investigate and adjust your practices accordingly.

13. High Volume of Reviews

A sudden influx of reviews can trigger Google’s spam filters. This might happen if you run a promotional campaign encouraging customers to leave reviews or if your business experiences a sudden increase in traffic and reviews.

How to Fix It:

• If running a review campaign, divide your requests over a period of time instead of asking all customers at once.
• Let customers know about the importance of genuine and detailed reviews. Explain that while their feedback is valuable, it’s better to avoid submitting multiple reviews in a short period.
• Focus on obtaining high-quality, detailed reviews rather than just a high volume. Genuine, insightful reviews are less likely to be flagged as spam.

14. Review Too Short

Very short reviews might be filtered out by Google’s algorithms, as they are often less informative and can appear less genuine. Google prefers reviews that provide detailed feedback and valuable insights for other customers.

How to Fix It:

• Encourage Detailed Reviews: When asking for reviews, suggest that customers share specific details about their experience. This could include what they liked about your product or service, how it met their needs and any standout features.
• Provide Prompts: In your request for reviews, provide prompts or questions to guide customers on what to write about. For example, “What did you enjoy most about your visit?” or “How did our product solve your problem?”
• Educate Customers: Explain to customers that detailed reviews are more helpful to other consumers and more likely to be highlighted by Google.

15. Changes to GMB Profile

Updating your business information on Google My Business can temporarily affect the visibility of your reviews. Changes such as altering your business name, address, or category might cause Google to reassess and revalidate your profile, which can temporarily impact review visibility.

How to Fix It:

• Plan Updates Carefully: Try to avoid making multiple changes to your GMB profile all at once. Plan and implement updates gradually.
• Inform Google: If you need to make significant changes, such as relocating your business, inform Google through the appropriate channels to minimize disruptions.
• Monitor Reviews: After making changes, keep an eye on your reviews to ensure they are still visible. If you notice any issues, contact Google support for assistance.
• Communicate with Customers: If reviews disappear after profile updates, reassure customers that this is a temporary issue and their feedback is still valuable.

16. Private Reviews

If a review is marked as private, it won’t be publicly visible. This can happen if the reviewer has set their Google account settings to restrict the visibility of their reviews, making them only accessible to themselves or specific groups.

How to Fix It:

• Inform Customers: Educate your customers about the importance of setting their reviews to the public. Provide instructions on how to adjust their Google account privacy settings.
• Request Public Reviews: When asking for reviews, specify that they should ensure their reviews are public so that other customers can see them.
• Offer Guidance: Provide a step-by-step guide or video tutorial on your website or social media channels explaining how to make their reviews public.

17. Reviewer’s Account Privacy Settings

If the reviewer has strict privacy settings, their reviews might not show. Google allows users to control who can see their reviews, and highly restrictive privacy settings can prevent reviews from appearing on your business profile.

How to Fix It:

• Encourage Public Settings: Ask customers to adjust their privacy settings to allow their reviews to be visible publicly. You can guide them on how to do this.
• Communicate the Benefits: Explain to customers that making their reviews public helps other potential customers and contributes to the business’s transparency and trustworthiness.
• Follow-up: If a customer’s review doesn’t appear, reach out to them politely to check if they have restrictive privacy settings and provide assistance in changing them.

18. Country-Specific Restrictions

Reviews from certain regions might be filtered out due to local laws and regulations. Some countries have strict rules regarding online reviews and data privacy, which can affect the visibility of reviews on Google.

How to Fix It:

• Understand Local Laws: Be aware of the regulations regarding online reviews in the countries where your customers are based. This knowledge can help you manage expectations and navigate restrictions.
• Encourage Local Reviews: Focus on gathering reviews from regions without restrictive laws to ensure a steady flow of visible reviews.
• Utilize Alternative Platforms: In regions with stringent regulations, encourage customers to leave reviews on other platforms that comply with local laws.

19. Inactive Reviews

Old or inactive reviews might not be displayed prominently. Google tends to prioritize recent and active reviews to ensure that the information on business profiles is current and relevant.

How to Fix It:

• Encourage Fresh Reviews: Regularly ask your customers for new reviews to keep your profile updated with recent feedback.
• Engage with Older Reviews: Respond to older reviews to bring them back to life and show that you value all customer feedback, regardless of when it was posted.
• Promote Positive Reviews: Highlight positive reviews on your website and social media to give them additional visibility, even if they are older.

20. Incorrect GMB Category

If your Google My Business profile is categorized incorrectly, it can affect the visibility of your reviews. The GMB category helps Google understand what your business does and shows it to the relevant audience. An incorrect category can lead to reviews not being displayed properly or not being shown to the right users.

How to Fix It:

• Review and Update Category: Check your GMB profile to ensure that your business is listed under the correct category. Update it if necessary to reflect your primary services or products.
• Accurate Description: Provide a detailed and accurate description of your business to help Google understand your operations better.
• Regular Checks: Periodically review your GMB settings to ensure all information, including the category, remains accurate and up-to-date.

5 Best Practices to Manage Your Google Reviews

1. Encourage Genuine Reviews

Encouraging satisfied customers to leave genuine reviews can significantly boost your business’s credibility. Authentic reviews provide valuable feedback for your business and help other potential customers make informed decisions.

2. Respond to Reviews

Engaging with customers by responding to their reviews shows that you value their feedback and are committed to improving your business. Responding to reviews, whether positive or negative, can strengthen customer relationships and demonstrate excellent customer service.

3. Monitor Your Reviews Regularly

Regularly monitoring your reviews allows you to stay on top of customer feedback and quickly address any issues or negative comments. This proactive approach helps you maintain a positive online reputation and make necessary improvements to your services.

4. Report Fake Reviews

Fake reviews can harm your business’s reputation and mislead potential customers. It’s essential to report any fake or suspicious reviews to Google for removal to ensure the integrity of your review profile.

5. Use Review Management Tools

Review management tools like MagicReview can help you manage and analyze your reviews more effectively. These tools offer various features to streamline the review management process, such as automated responses, sentiment analysis, and review tracking.

Common Questions About Google Reviews Not Showing Up

Why did my review disappear after I posted it?

Reviews can disappear if they violate Google’s policies, are marked as spam, or are from a new account with no activity.

How long does it take for a review to show up?

It can take a few days for new reviews to be indexed by Google. If it takes longer, check for any potential issues.

Can I get my reviews back if they disappear?

If reviews were removed by mistake, you could contact Google support for assistance. However, reviews that violate policies are unlikely to be reinstated.

How can I prevent reviews from disappearing in the future?

Ensure that reviews are genuine, comply with Google’s policies, and come from accounts with some history.

Manage Your Google Reviews with MagicReview

Managing Google reviews can be challenging, but tools like MagicReview make it easier. MagicReview helps you collect, analyze, and produce AI-written reviews based on real customer feedback, ensuring you maintain a strong online presence. The AI-generated reviews do not violate any Google Policy and are SEO optimized. Using MagicReview, businesses can collect reviews in under 30 seconds, facilitating more genuine customer experiences.

5 ways MagicReview helps in easy review management are as follows –

1. MagicReview simplifies the review collection process, enabling businesses to gather reviews in under 30 seconds. This saves time for both customers and businesses, promoting more frequent and genuine feedback.
2. Using AI technology, MagicReview generates reviews based on real customer feedback. These reviews are authentic and optimized for SEO, boosting your business’s visibility on search engines like Google.
3. MagicReview ensures all reviews meet Google’s policies, reducing the risk of them being flagged or removed. This preserves the integrity of your review profile.
4. With features like sentiment analysis through customer feedback as multiple-choice questions (MCQs), MagicReview provides valuable insights into customer sentiment. This helps businesses gauge satisfaction levels and identify areas for improvement.
5. MagicReview also offers an NFC (Near Field Communication) review collection, allowing customers to conveniently leave reviews using their smartphones. This tech-driven approach simplifies the review process and encourages greater customer participation.

By utilizing MagicReview, businesses can effectively manage their Google Reviews, enhance their online reputation, and make data-driven decisions to improve customer satisfaction and business performance.

Conclusion

By understanding the reasons why Google reviews might not show up and implementing best practices, such as those facilitated by MagicReview, businesses can effectively manage their online reputation and utilize customer feedback to foster growth. 

FAQ Related Google Review Not Showing Up?

Q 1: Why did my Google review disappear after I posted it?

Ans: Your review may have disappeared due to several reasons, including violations of Google’s review policies, being marked as spam, or issues with your Google account. Ensure that your review follows Google’s guidelines, and if you believe it was removed by mistake, you can contact Google support for assistance.

Q 2: How long does it take for a Google review to show up?

Ans: It typically takes a few days for a new review to be processed and displayed on Google. Google uses this time to verify the authenticity of the review. If it takes longer, there might be other issues such as technical glitches or policy violations. Patience and regular monitoring can help in such cases.

Q 3: Can I get my Google reviews back if they disappear?

Ans: If your reviews were mistakenly removed, you could contact Google support to appeal the decision. However, if the reviews violated Google’s policies, they are unlikely to be reinstated. Ensure your reviews are genuine, relevant, and comply with Google’s guidelines to avoid removal.

Q 4: How can I prevent my Google reviews from disappearing in the future?

Ans: To prevent reviews from disappearing, make sure they are genuine, adhere to Google’s review policies, and come from accounts with some activity history. Educate your customers about the importance of writing detailed and respectful reviews, and monitor your Google My Business profile regularly to address any issues promptly.