This post contains an update at the bottom.
If you have noticed a sudden drop in your Google reviews recently, you are not alone. Businesses across the globe have reported missing reviews, with some losing dozens (or more) of legitimate 5-star ratings overnight. This isn't an isolated incident. It's a widespread issue impacting many local businesses.
What's Happening with Google Reviews?
Google has made a statement on the issue:
We’re aware of an issue affecting some Google Business Profiles, causing some profiles to show lower-than-actual review counts due to a display issue. The reviews themselves have not actually been removed. We’re working hard to resolve this and restore accurate review counts as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience and will share updates on this thread as they become available.
Before reporting missing reviews, please note that there are several reasons why reviews may be removed from maps. Usually, missing reviews are removed for policy violations like spam or inappropriate content. Read more about our Review policy guidelines here before proceeding. You can also refer to the Help Center Article for more information.
Why Could This Be A Problem?
Google reviews play an important role in local SEO, influencing both search rankings and consumer trust. Although the recent issue is a display glitch, it can still affect how your business is perceived by potential customers. A sudden drop in visible reviews may create confusion or concern for new clients, potentially influencing their decision-making process.
The best thing you can do right now is stay informed and proactive. We here at The SEO Contractor are staying on top of the issue, and updating our customers when we have more information.
How Our Partnership with Birdeye Can Help
While we can't control Google's review filters, we can help you manage your online reputation. Through our partnership with Birdeye, you can send review requests directly from your CRM, streamlining the process and increasing the likelihood of receiving consistent, authentic reviews.
What does Birdeye help with?
Automated Review Requests: Send review invitations seamlessly through your existing CRM.
Higher Response Rates: Simplified requests make it easier for customers to leave feedback.
Real-Time Monitoring: Track reviews across platforms to respond quickly to new feedback.
What You Can Do Now
Review Your Google Business Profile: Check for missing reviews and report discrepancies to Google Support.
Engage Your Customers: Encourage recent customers to leave new reviews to replenish your online presence.
Leverage Birdeye: Use our integrated tools to maintain a steady flow of reviews, reducing the impact of sudden removals.
For more insights, check out the discussions on Local Search Forum and post on SERoundtable.
If you need help setting up review requests through Birdeye, contact us to learn how we can support your local business.
Update 2/13/2025
According to a Google Product Expert:
...Many users are seeing their reviews restored.
However, some reviews that don't meet Google's guidelines may not return - this could be around %5.
If you're still missing more than 5% of your reviews, I recommend waiting until Friday. After that, you can submit a request to Google Support...
What does this mean for you?
It means that the problem is being fixed, and you should keep an eye on your review count. However, some reviews may still be removed by Google. If you're having trouble figuring out if your reviews are removed, The SEO Contractor has a solution for you.
We use Birdeye for our customers, which shows us exactly what reviews are removed by Google. We can help you contact Google Support to get your reviews back where they belong - in front of your new customers. Feel free to contact us today if you would like help with your Birdeye profile (for our existing customers), or if you want our responsive Account Managers to help you with setting up your business for success in Google results and beyond.
Kommentarer