Rushabh PatelNote: We’ve been receiving several queries about missing Google reviews and whether we can help recover them. Unfortunately, we cannot—only Google has the authority to resolve such issues. You can reach out directly to Google Business Profile Support for assistance. Thank you!
Have you recently received an email notifying you that a customer left a glowing 5-star review on your Google Business Profile (GBP)—but can’t find it displayed publicly? That excitement can quickly fade into confusion and frustration. Why is your Google review not showing up? Why can’t others see it?
There can be several reasons behind missing or invisible reviews. Below, we outline 15 key reasons why your Google reviews may not appear.
1. Google Temporarily Disabled Reviews (e.g., COVID-19 Outbreaks or Policy Updates)
In critical times like the COVID-19 pandemic, Google limited its moderation capacity and paused certain features—like posting or replying to reviews. While these restrictions have mostly been lifted, similar policy-based suspensions may still occur. Stay updated through Google’s support forums and community updates.
2. Review Contains URLs or Links
If a review includes external links or promotional URLs, it may automatically get flagged or removed. Google discourages link-based content to prevent spam and phishing. Encourage reviewers to edit out URLs for the review to reappear.
3. Spam or Inappropriate Content
Google is strict with its content policies. Reviews flagged for spam, offensive language, or irrelevant content can be filtered or deleted. Additionally, if someone else reported the review, Google may have removed it after moderation.
4. Review Was Made Private or Deleted
Although Google reviews are public by default, a user can choose to delete their own review at any time. Once deleted, it’s permanently gone. Previously, some users could hide their reviews, but that option no longer exists.
5. New Business Listing on GBP
If your business has recently been listed on Google and hasn’t received at least five reviews, they might not be visible publicly. Google often waits for consistent engagement to avoid spam or manipulation. Stay patient and build up your genuine review count.
6. Inactive Business Profile
Has it been months since you updated your GBP profile? Lack of activity—such as no posts, photos, or responses—can cause your business to lose verification. Unverified listings won’t appear in Google Search or Maps, making reviews invisible too.
Stay active: log in regularly, share updates, and reply to reviews.
7. Change in Business Location
If you’ve moved to a new address but kept the same business name, reviews usually transfer with it. However, for location-bound services like hotels, reviews may not automatically move. You’ll need to re-verify your listing and notify Google.
8. Duplicate Listings
Multiple business listings can confuse Google’s algorithm. When duplicates exist, reviews may get divided or hidden. To resolve this, check for duplicates on Google Maps and remove or merge them via your Google dashboard.
9. Natural Review Delay
Google sometimes takes up to 72 hours to publish a review. While there’s no official reason, it’s often due to quality checks. Ask your reviewer to check again after a few days.
10. Reviews from Third-Party Platforms
Google no longer showcases reviews from platforms like Facebook, Yelp, or Yahoo Local on GBP. You might still find snippets in the “Reviews from around the web” section, but these are algorithmically sourced and often inaccurate.
11. Sudden Surge in Review Volume
If your business sees an unusually high number of reviews in a short time—especially if you’re in a small community—Google might flag and filter them. For instance, a rural business with 1,000 residents and 4,000 reviews will raise suspicion.
12. Reviewer’s Account Looks Fake
Accounts without profile pictures, names, or activity are considered suspicious by Google. If a review comes from such an account, it might be removed—even if it was genuine. Encourage customers to review from verified profiles.
13. Reviewer Deleted Their Review
Customers have full control over their posted reviews. If they choose to remove it, there’s no notification sent to the business, and there’s no way to restore it.
14. Overly Perfect or Repetitive Reviews
While it’s great to receive grammatically perfect reviews, over-optimized or copy-paste style feedback may look unnatural. Google prefers authentic language. Encourage customers to write in their own voice.
15. Google’s Internal Algorithms
Lastly, yes—it could be Google. The platform’s algorithms sometimes suppress reviews if a business isn’t using Google Ads, or if it’s suspected of manipulating review content. There’s no official confirmation, but some believe Google favors paid users.
Final Thoughts
If you’re still wondering why your reviews aren’t showing up, analyze these possibilities. Don’t panic. Continue providing top-notch service and invite reviews across other platforms too (like Trustpilot, Facebook, or Yelp). What matters most is that your customers feel valued—the reviews will follow.
And remember: for technical issues, only Google Business Profile Support can provide solutions. Keep your listing active, accurate, and engaging. Need help managing your online presence? Contact our digital marketing team for expert support.”
