Why Google is deleting more reviews now

The quick answer

Google is deleting more reviews because its moderation systems have become more aggressive. Here are the three main reasons your reviews might disappear:

1. Increased AI Moderation: Google's systems are proactively removing reviews that violate policies. This includes fake positive reviews and incentivized ratings, not just negative ones.
2. Your Industry's Risk Profile: Businesses in categories like restaurants, home services, legal, and medical face higher scrutiny and more deletions due to a higher risk of review abuse.
3. Your Geographic Location: Enforcement rules vary by country. AI-driven moderation is common in the U.S. and UK, while legal takedown requests drive more deletions in places like Germany.

Google's review deletions are at record levels

If you've noticed your Google review count suddenly drop, you are not alone. Analysis of 60,000 Google Business Profiles shows a sharp increase in deleted reviews that accelerated in mid-2025. This is not a bug or an accident.

Google is systematically removing more reviews than ever before. In 2023 alone, the company removed or blocked over 170 million reviews that violated its policies. That number continues to grow as Google invests more in its automated moderation technology.

This crackdown is a direct response to the rise of fake and incentivized reviews. The goal is to increase the authenticity and trustworthiness of the information on Google Maps and Search.

It's not just 1-star reviews getting removed

One of the most significant findings is that five-star reviews now make up a sizable share of deletions. Many businesses assume moderation only targets negative feedback, but that is no longer true.

Google's AI is now sophisticated enough to identify patterns associated with fake positive reviews. This includes reviews from customers who were offered a discount or gift in exchange for a rating. The system flags this activity to protect the integrity of the entire review ecosystem.

Which industries are most at risk for review deletion?

While all businesses are subject to review moderation, some industries experience a much higher volume of deletions. This is often tied to the transaction volume or the sensitive nature of the services provided.

Understanding your industry's risk profile can help you prepare for and potentially avoid review removals.

High-volume deletion categories

These business categories see the highest number of deleted reviews, largely due to high customer interaction rates which create more opportunities for review spam.

• Restaurants: The category with the highest volume of deletions.
• Home Services: Includes plumbers, electricians, landscapers, and similar contractors.
• Brick-and-Mortar Retail: General retail stores with a physical presence.
• Construction: Companies involved in building and renovation projects.

High-stakes professional categories

Other industries are considered "high-risk" because they are vulnerable to different types of review abuse, like harassment or retaliatory content from disgruntled parties. Google applies proactive enforcement in these fields.

• Medical Services: Doctors, dentists, and clinics.
• Legal Services: Law firms and individual attorneys.
• Financial Planning: Financial advisors and wealth management firms.

In these professions, Google's moderation prioritizes removing content that includes unsubstantiated allegations or personal attacks to protect professionals.

How your location impacts review moderation

The rules for review deletion are not the same everywhere. As detailed in the original article from Search Engine Land, geography plays a major role in how and why reviews are removed.

English-speaking markets: AI fights spam

In countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, review moderation is heavily reliant on AI. The primary target in these regions is review spam, especially incentivized five-star reviews.

This means a business in the U.S. offering a 10% discount for a review is at high risk of having that review automatically deleted by Google's systems, regardless of the customer's sentiment.

Germany: Legal takedowns dominate

The situation in Germany is very different. Due to the country's strict defamation laws, businesses have a legal pathway to challenge and demand the removal of negative reviews they believe are unfair or untrue.

As a result, a higher proportion of deleted reviews in Germany are low-rated. Platforms like Google often act quickly on legal takedown notices, leading to a different pattern of moderation compared to AI-dominant regions.

3 steps to protect your genuine business reviews

You cannot stop Google's moderation, but you can adopt practices that protect your authentic reviews and build a trustworthy online reputation. The best defense is a clean and honest review acquisition strategy.

Step 1: Stop all incentivized review practices

This is the most critical step. Immediately end any program that offers a reward in exchange for a review. This is a direct violation of Google's policies and the number one reason legitimate-seeming reviews get deleted.

Incentives to stop using include:

• Discounts on future purchases
• Gift cards or cash payments
• Free products or services
• Entries into a contest or drawing

Even if the customer leaves an honest opinion, the act of compensating them for it invalidates the review in Google's eyes. This policy protects users from biased feedback.

Step 2: Monitor your Google Business Profile weekly

Make it a habit to check your profile at least once a week. Set a recurring calendar appointment. During your check-in, look for two things: new reviews and your total review count.

If you see a sudden drop in your total number of reviews, it likely indicates a recent deletion sweep. While you can't always know which specific review was removed, tracking the total count helps you identify when a problem occurs.

If you believe a legitimate, policy-abiding review was removed in error, you can contact Google Business Profile support to inquire. Recovery is not guaranteed, but monitoring gives you the information you need to try.

Step 3: Focus on earning authentic feedback

The most sustainable strategy is to build a business that earns positive reviews organically. This starts with providing an excellent customer experience from the very first touchpoint.

Ensure your digital presence is professional and builds trust. A high-quality website designed to convert provides a seamless user experience, which leads to happier customers who are more likely to leave a positive review without being asked.

You can also implement a simple, non-incentivized follow-up process. Send a post-purchase email or text message a few days after a transaction, thanking the customer and providing a direct link to leave feedback. Make it easy, but never offer a reward.

Consistently publishing valuable SEO content also helps build brand authority and trust, making customers feel more connected to your brand and willing to share their positive experiences.