Don’t panic Mr. Mainwaring!!
If you’ve suddenly noticed the number of Google Reviews on your business’s Google Business Profile has been falling – don’t panic, you’re not alone. Over the past few days, many business owners have reported that a portion of their feedback has seemingly vanished from Google Search and Google Maps. We have had three of our clients contact us about this since the weekend.
While this has caused plenty of concern, rest assured: it looks like a glitch rather than a deliberate purge, (but if you need help contacting Google Business Support on your behalf, contact us).
Disappearing act
Over this past weekend, forum discussions lit up with small businesses and marketing professionals sharing similar stories. Some saw only a handful of reviews drop off, while others claimed they were suddenly missing dozens of genuine reviews most of which were positive.
Is Google’s fault or what?
Despite initial confusion, local SEO experts have indicated there’s likely a bug in Google’s system. Finally, a Google representative has stepped in, confirming that this is indeed an error on their side. The good news is they’ve said the reviews themselves haven’t really been deleted; it’s just the display of those reviews that’s temporarily out of sync.
Google’s official word
A post by Google’s own forum spokesperson reassured everyone that the missing reviews stem from a technical glitch that they’re aware of. Whilst reminding local business owners that Google has strict guidelines for reviews on Business Profiles, so if comments are genuinely in breach of policies (such as fake reviews) they could still be permanently deleted. But if your business is missing reviews were completely genuine, then these should return once a fix is sorted.
What should you do?
Right now, Google say to do nothing as they’re actively working to fix the issue, and any missing reviews should reappear “in due course”. In the meantime however, we feel there’s no harm in keeping a personal record of your reviews tally and if you have email alerts or screenshots of recent reviews, store them safely. In the event that your missing reviews don’t re-appear, having such proof could help if you need to contact Google Support.
Why this matters
Google reviews are a huge part of a business’s online presence. They can influence where you rank in local search results, not to mention their impact on your reputation and credibility. So, when positive feedback vanishes, it’s bound to set alarm bells ringing. Fortunately, there’s some comfort in knowing this is a widespread glitch and not just your business being singled out.
Terra Ferma Media’s view
Here at Terra Ferma Media, we’re no strangers to the ins and outs of Google Business Profiles. In this instance, we reckon that this may be due to an over-aggressive AI system newly introduced by Google to combat fake reviews. If so, that particular bit of AI needs a serious re-tune.
If you find your business affected by this Google reviews glitch, keep calm and carry on as usual. Once Google fixes the technical hiccup, those missing reviews should pop back into view. And if they don’t, we’re always here to help you sort out any ongoing issues, just give us a shout.
In the meantime, continue to encourage fresh, authentic reviews from your customers. Not only does it boost trust and credibility, but it also helps solidify your digital footprint, even when the odd glitch hits. And remember, if you need any support, be it website development, branding, or social media management, our friendly UK-based team is just a phone call or video chat away.
Final word
While it’s never pleasant to see your hard-earned reviews momentarily disappear, stay positive. Google has acknowledged the problem, and the fix is on its way. So rather than stressing, focus on continuing to provide great service to your customers. In all likelihood, your star-studded review profile will be back up and running shortly. If not, Terra Ferma Media is here to lend a hand.
