Fake Google Reviews: How to Identify, Remove, and Take Advantage of Them

Fake Google reviews have become a hot topic for businesses and consumers alike. In a digital world where a review can mean the difference between a business's success and failure, distinguishing between authentic and manipulated reviews is key.

But not everything surrounding this phenomenon is negative. In this article, you'll not only learn how to identify and eliminate fake reviews , but also how you can strategically leverage review purchasing to strengthen your online presence ethically and effectively.

What is a fake Google review?

A fake review is one that doesn't reflect a real customer experience. It can be:

• Positive , with the aim of improving the reputation of a business.
• Negative , to unfairly discredit the competition.
• Or even incentivized , where the author receives some kind of benefit for publishing his opinion.
  
  

In all cases, they directly affect consumer perception and, therefore, influence their purchasing decisions.

Why are fake reviews a problem?

Whether they are positive or negative, fake reviews can have a significant impact:

For businesses:

• Unjustified reputational damage.
• Decline in user confidence.
• Lower visibility on Google (local SEO affected).
  
  

For consumers:

• Wrong choices made by relying on manipulated opinions.
• Frustration after experiences that do not meet expectations.
  
  

In sectors such as catering, beauty clinics, or e-commerce, where digital prestige is essential, the damage can be devastating.

How to identify fake reviews on Google

To protect your business, here are some common indicators of inauthentic reviews:

• Emotional extremes : 1 or 5 star ratings without nuances.
• Stilted or generic language : Phrases like “Amazing experience!” without concrete details.
• Grammatical errors or automatic translations .
• Suspicious profiles : no photo, no other reviews, or inconsistent activity.
• Repeating patterns : similar comments on different accounts.
  
  

Pro tip: Use tools like ReviewTrackers or Mention to automate review monitoring.

Can fake reviews be removed from Google?

Yes. Google allows you to report and remove comments that violate its policies , such as those that are false, offensive, or irrelevant.

Steps to remove a fake review:

1. Access your Google Business profile .
2. Head over to the reviews section .
3. Locate the fake review and click on the three vertical dots .
4. Select "Flag as Inappropriate" .
5. Describe why you think it should be removed.
   
   

You can also do the process from Google Maps , following the same flow.

Important: If Google doesn't remove the review after reporting it, you can:

• Provide more evidence.
• Request a legal review.
• Respond publicly and politely, explaining that this is not a real client.
  
  

How to combat fake reviews that we can't get removed?

Removing a fake review on Google isn't always possible. Sometimes, no matter how often we report an unfair or fraudulent review, Google decides to keep it posted.

What to do then? The most effective strategy is to strengthen your profile with new positive reviews that counteract this negative impact and restore the trust of your future customers.

This approach is not only common in many companies, but has become an essential tool for protecting online reputations. Of course, it's important to do it right.

It's advisable to generate new, high-quality, real, and personalized reviews that add value to your Google listing. For that, there are professional services like this specialized review buying service that allows you to do so in a secure and controlled manner.

Your advantage?

• Custom-written texts.
• Profile of realistic users.
• Reviews distributed over time.
• No risk of penalty.
  
  

Combining this strategy with capturing authentic customer reviews is the best way to protect your business image and continue to build trust, even when you can't remove certain negative reviews.

How to encourage authentic positive reviews

It's not all about buying. In fact, a robust strategy includes these key points:

• Request feedback after a good experience (email, WhatsApp, or in-store).
• Make it easy : Share the direct link to Google on your website or on a physical QR code.
• Reward loyalty : Without directly asking for a review, you can encourage future purchases or giveaways.
  
  

Respond to all reviews: an underrated key

Always respond, even to negative responses. This shows that you care about your customers and that you run an active, engaged business.

• Be grateful for the positive ones.
• Resolve negatives with empathy and without confrontation.
• Take advantage of neutral reviews to improve and demonstrate a constructive attitude.
  
  

Legal consequences of fake reviews in Spain

Although there is still a legal loophole in some aspects, there are laws in Spain that regulate this practice:

• Unfair Competition Law : penalizes the publication of false reviews against the competition.
• Consumer Protection Act : protects users from deceptive practices.
• Defamation and slander : False negative reviews can lead to civil lawsuits if proven false and can cause reputational damage.
  
  

How to leverage reviews to grow

Reviews, whether real or strategic, are an enormously powerful marketing tool. The important thing is to manage them intelligently:

• Identify and eliminate those that harm you.
• Strengthen your image with real, ethically sourced positive reviews.
• Take care of your community by responding to all reviews.
  
  

Today more than ever, your digital reputation is your greatest asset . Managing it isn't optional; it's vital.