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Why Were My Google Reviews Removed?!

Last Updated: February 11, 2025

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If you’ve recently noticed that your Google Business Profile (GBP) reviews are disappearing, you’re not alone. The internet has been ablaze for the last week or so as business owners are trying to figure out why they’ve been seeing their hard-earned reviews disappearing from their GBPs. Some have seen their review count drop by dozens, while others have fluctuated wildly, gaining and losing reviews seemingly at random.

So, what’s going on?

A Known Bug (But No Immediate Fix)

Google has acknowledged that this is a known issue with the review counts and claims to be working on a fix. In many cases, the reviews themselves haven’t actually been deleted, it’s just the displayed number that’s inaccurate. On Reddit and other forums, business owners are reporting major drops in their review count overnight.

We’ve seen this firsthand with our own clients:

  • Appliance repair company – started with 1,001 reviews, dropped to 970, then dropped to 926
  • Plumber – started with 200 reviews, dropped to 195
  • Piano instruction business – started with 45 reviews, dropped to 40

Some businesses have seen their review count bounce back temporarily, only to lose them again. One of our plumber clients saw their count drop from 198 to 18, only to return to 198 later.

Another Factor: Inactive Google Accounts Getting Deleted

As we’ve mentioned before, Google announced that it will be deleting accounts that remain inactive for two years. In its support article on the topic, Google states that “all of its content and data can be deleted.” Most experts interpret this to mean that any reviews left by those accounts will also be removed.

However, a smaller group speculates that Google may simply disassociate the reviews from the original account and display them under a generic “Google User” label instead.

If the majority opinion proves correct, this will only add to the chaos because not only will review counts be inaccurate, but actual reviews may also start disappearing permanently.

What Can You Do?

Unfortunately, there’s no magic fix for this situation. But the best thing you can do is keep getting more reviews.

We know, it’s frustrating to hear the same advice over and over, but the only way to combat disappearing reviews is to keep earning new ones. If you’re not actively requesting reviews, now’s the time to make it part of your daily routine. For ideas on how to do this, check out this article from a while back where we put together a guide on getting more reviews: Reviews: Why You Must Get Them (And Tips for Getting More)

If you’re not using our ReviewStream service, you might consider it. It’s an easy, hands-off way to get reviews every month. You just feed it your list of client emails and it will ask them to leave a review each month.

Final Thoughts

Losing reviews is frustrating, but this isn’t the first time Google has had a glitch like this, and it probably won’t be the last. The best way to protect your online reputation is to keep your review count growing so that even if you lose a few, you’re still ahead.

 

ScamWatch: Scammers Threatening to De-List GBP Unless They Get a Ransom

Last Updated: January 15, 2025

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Remember the old “I will sell you one of the top 3 positions in Google” con? It lingered, for years, in one form or another but now it’s evil cousin is back. The new version of this old scam is now about removal of your listing, rather than placing it at the top. What’s terrible about this is that it leverages the much more powerful fear-of-loss frame work rather than the weaker want-of-gain. And that’s why people are falling for it.

One of our clients, a tax resolution specialist, recently became the target of this scam. They were threatening him with removal of his Google Business Profile (GBP) from Google Maps unless he paid them.

How the Scam Works

Here’s how these scammers operate:

  1. They contact business owners, often through phone calls or emails, with urgent and threatening messages.
  2. They claim they have control over your Google Business Profile and that they’ll delete it or make it invisible unless you pay them a fee.
  3. Some even offer “services” to boost your GBP ranking for a price—an offer that sounds enticing, but is pure fiction.

The goal? To scare you into forking over your hard-earned cash.

Why This Has An Air Of Truth

Most people know that it’s Google who controls the presence (or lack thereof) of the GBPs in both Google Maps and their search results. Many people also realize that it’s possible to community-edit content on there. In fact, there’s still quite a bit of bad behavior related to this, especially between competitors. The ability to affect a change to someone else’s listing is exactly why this scam sounds like it could be believable.

How to Protect Yourself

Stay ahead of the scammers by following these tips:

  1. Verify Claims: If someone contacts you about your Google Business Profile, do not take their word for it. Log into your GBP account to check its status.
  2. Trust Only Known Companies: You should either reach out to Google directly, or to your trusted marketing partner (if you have one). Don’t even trust someone claiming to be Google if THEY initiated the call to you. That is another common scam tactic.
  3. Stay Calm: Scammers thrive on urgency. Take a breath and evaluate the situation before responding to any threats or demands.

The Bottom Line

Scammers are always finding new ways to exploit small business owners, but with a little knowledge and vigilance, you can stay one step ahead. Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, or if someone is pressuring you with threats, it’s likely a scam. When it comes to your Google Business Profile, trust only Google—no one else has the keys to that kingdom.

Stay safe, stay informed, and as always, keep an eye on ScamWatch for updates!

Reviews: Why you MUST get them and tips for getting more of them

Last Updated: December 3, 2024

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Let’s cut to the chase: reviews aren’t just nice to have anymore. They’re a massive piece of the Google rankings game, and potential customers expect to see reviews before committing to a purchase. Getting those reviews can be challenging, but don’t worry—we’ve got some tips to help.

Why Reviews Are Critical for Online Success

Google’s ranking algorithm is heavily influenced by reviews. High ratings combined with a solid number of reviews tell Google—and potential customers—that your business is legitimate, reliable, and relevant. So, what’s the “right” number of reviews? The answer is simple: “at least one more than your next-highest competitor.” Of course, this assumes a similar star rating. And as we all know, “simple” doesn’t always mean “easy.”

Whatever you do, don’t fake it. Buying reviews or posting fake ones might seem like a quick fix, but Google can spot this behavior from a mile away. The result? Your listing gets suspended. It’s just not worth the risk.

Why Reviews Matter to Your Customers

It’s not just about algorithms. Reviews are crucial for earning the trust of potential customers. Think about your own habits—when was the last time you booked a service or bought a product without checking the reviews first? In today’s world, where we trust strangers on the internet to guide us in choosing products and services, reviews are a lifeline.

Reviews provide customers with proof of your expertise, reliability, and customer service. They’re a critical part of the decision-making process. While no one is likely to read every single review, they will skim a few—and they’ll definitely consider your star rating. After all, would you eat at a restaurant with a 1-star rating? Would you hire someone to work on your home if they had a 2.3-star rating, and 6 out of their 10 most recent reviews were detailed, angry rants? Probably not.

The Biggest Mistake Business Owners Make

Too often, business owners only start focusing on reviews after receiving a 1-star review. This usually leads to a frantic scramble to gather a few good reviews to “fix” the problem. This reactive approach can tempt you to cut corners—like buying reviews—which, as mentioned, is a terrible idea.

Instead, make reviews part of your everyday process. By consistently gathering positive reviews, you’ll build a cushion of trust. This way, when you inevitably encounter a completely unreasonable customer trying to tank your star rating, it won’t have nearly as much impact.

How to Get Those Sweet, Sweet Reviews

Here are some proven ways to consistently collect reviews:

1. Ask Every Customer, Every Time

After finishing a job, casually ask the customer for a review. Something as simple as, “If you were happy with our work today, we’d really appreciate a quick review!” can work wonders.

Want to sweeten the deal? Offer a small discount if they leave a review on the spot. Customers are far more likely to leave a review while their experience is fresh than if you follow up days later.

2. Make It Easy with a Short Link

Follow up after every job with a direct link to your Google Business Profile review page. Simplify things even further by using a shortened link from a service like bitly.com or tiny.cc. When leaving a review is easy, people are more likely to follow through.

3. Automate with Tools

Services like ReviewStream make the process effortless. Simply upload your customer list, and the tool sends friendly, automated reminders to leave a review. Pro tip: If you sign up for ReviewStream in December 2024, you’ll save 50%! (Yes, that’s a shameless plug, but who doesn’t love a good deal?) Whether you use our service or a similar one, the key is automation—it works for you every day without any extra effort.

4. Don’t Forget Vendors

You don’t have to rely solely on customers for reviews. Vendors and partners you work with can also leave reviews. They may not have purchased your product or service, but they’ve interacted with your business and can validly share their experience. Since they also understand the importance of reviews, they’re often happy to return the favor.

Final Thoughts

Reviews are the backbone of your online reputation. They’re not just about pleasing Google—they’re about building trust with potential customers. By making review collection part of your daily operations, you’ll set your business up for long-term success.

And when that one-star review eventually shows up, you’ll be ready. A strong base of positive reviews will ensure that one unhappy customer doesn’t define your reputation. Keep building those reviews, and watch your business thrive!

How to Undercut Google’s Pay-to-Play Model and Advertise on a Budget

Last Updated: October 26, 2020

It’s genuinely depressing to think about the totality of words we’ve wasted whining about Google’s pay-to-play model.

Not because we regret the time spent educating our readers, but because we wish this weren’t the reality of digital marketing in 2020. Especially during a crippling pandemic.

And we know this situation is just as depressing for all of the small, local service providers out there who feel like they don’t have a fighting chance.

But we’re done with despair. It won’t do anything to combat Google’s nefarious greed.

That’s why, today, we’re showing all you small business owners how to fight back.

In this blog post, we’ve compiled some of our best tips to market yourself online without handing all of your hard-earned money to Google’s coffers.

READ MORE: How Google’s Greed Is Slashing Your Website Traffic

Use Social Media Ads

Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Yelp, or Twitter, your audience’s favorite social platform is the perfect place to advertise your business.

In fact, designing a quick ad and paying for clicks or impressions on one of these platforms will be much cheaper and potentially more cost-effective than Google Ads in terms of ROI. Just a small investment in time and money could pay off big.

After all, the endless social media scroll is how most people are exercising their thumbs these days. Might as well take advantage of it!

Use Word of Mouth

We know, we know: Nobody likes talking in person anymore!

Thing is, that’s not entirely true. Sure, people consistently prefer texting over calling on the phone, but that doesn’t mean everything takes place virtually. People talk!

Especially people who are close friends and family. In casual conversation, they’re likely to recommend contractors and service providers whom they had a good experience with. So, there’s no harm in giving your customers a little nudge to spread the word!

However, there is such a thing as virtual word-of-mouth, too. For example, you can use platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and NextDoor to join local groups, stay up to date on community events, and even network with other small business owners.

There are so many ways to get your name out there organically. Think outside the box!

Use Offline Materials

This might sound odd coming from a digital marketing team in 2020, but we’re big proponents of including offline materials in your overall marketing strategy. Such materials include:

  • Flyers
  • Brochures
  • Business cards
  • Direct mail
  • Branded calendars, pens, coasters, tote bags, etc.

With memorable marketing materials, unique branding (including logos and signage), personal referrals, and face-to-face networking in your community, you can supplement your online efforts and really stamp out a place for your business on the local scene.

Keep Fighting!

It’s easy to feel discouraged when you realize how much the Google game is rigged–but, frankly, that’s not productive. Instead, stay in the ring and keep swinging. There are so many other avenues you can take to market yourself that don’t involve draining your bank account straight into Google’s gullet.

And if you need any assistance with creating a Facebook ad or designing a business logo, don’t hesitate to contact us! There’s nothing Prospect Genius loves more than helping small businesses stick it to the big guy.

Why You Can’t Trust This Warning From Google

Last Updated: February 15, 2024

Have you gotten a call from Google about your AdWords account? Did they tell you that your ads are displaying in other countries and costing you extra money?

You’re not alone. Google has been ramping up its AdWords sales efforts—and this means they’ve been aggressively targeting existing AdWords accounts and trying to upsell them.

To that end, they’ve been dialing the numbers on AdWords accounts and getting their foot in the door with this scare tactic: “Your account has the wrong settings and your ads are displaying in other countries…”

However, it’s just that—a scare tactic.

Keep reading to understand why you don’t need to be afraid.

It Is Google’s Own Default Setting

When you set up an AdWords campaign, Google offers several default settings that are likely to apply to a majority of campaigns. One such setting is that your ads display to people in your targeted geographic area AND to people outside your geographic area who are specifically searching for information about your location.

For example, if you’re an appliance repair business in Cleveland, your ads will display to anyone in the Cleveland area searching for appliance repair services. At the same time, if someone in Phoenix (nearly 2,000 miles away) specifically searches for “appliance repair company in Cleveland,” your ads will display to them, as well.

This Setting Does No Harm

When setting up our clients’ AdWords accounts, Prospect Genius typically decides to leave this default setting on for several practical reasons—primarily because it’s actually common for people outside of your geographic area to search for your services. Here’s what we mean:

Let’s say someone lives in San Francisco and wants to help their mother in Houston find a flooring contractor. Their elderly mother doesn’t have a computer, so they offer to do some online research on her behalf. Naturally, they start searching Google for “flooring company in Houston.” In a case like this, you’d want your Houston-area flooring company’s ads to appear in front of this individual, even though they’re located halfway across the country.

And, to reiterate, this only happens when the person outside of your targeted geographic area explicitly includes your location in their search. In other words, your Houston company’s ads wouldn’t constantly display to people in San Francisco (or Boston, or Tokyo)—your ads would only display when people specifically include “Houston” in their search terms.

You can see how this default setting is more or less nonthreatening. Someone outside your geographic area has to be actively seeking out products and/or services in your location in order to see your ads. And when people are searching Google in this pointed manner, you can assume they’re motivated buyers—so it won’t be a wasted click.

Further to the point: If this setting were truly a bad idea, then why would Google have it as the default setting in the first place?

It’s One Big Sales Tactic

Of course, Google is technically correct when they say people in other countries could be seeing your ads. However, this is a rare occurrence—and even when it does occur, it’s not necessarily a bad thing (as we explain above).

Instead, the real reason Google is calling AdWords account holders like you and “warning” you about this setting is that they want to get their foot in the door so they can upsell you on other AdWords services. Inciting fear and confusion is always an effective way to do this.

Unfortunately, by telling you that they just want to “fix” your campaign for you, Google representatives naturally gain your trust. This puts them in a prime position to make a sale.

Don’t Buy It!

So, bottom line? Don’t fall into the fear trap! This default setting is nothing to worry about, and your SEO provider didn’t make a mistake. Google just wants more of your money, plain and simple.

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