Fight Review Extortion: Use Google’s Report Form Now
▼ Summary
– Google has launched a form for reporting negative review extortion scams on Business Profiles, accessible via a help document when logged in.
– Scammers demand payment, goods, or services in exchange for removing fake one-star or two-star reviews they have posted.
– Google advises not to engage with or pay scammers, as it may encourage further attempts and doesn’t guarantee review removal.
– The form requires details about the business, the extortion review, and evidence, and users should report all relevant communication.
– Although some are skeptical, one test showed the form successfully led to a review’s removal within days, making it worth trying.
Businesses facing the growing threat of review extortion scams now have a direct way to fight back through a dedicated reporting form provided by Google Business Profiles. This tool, introduced about a month ago, offers a streamlined process for reporting fraudulent activity aimed at harming your online reputation. To use it, you must be logged into the Google account associated with your Business Profile.
Scammers typically contact business owners through platforms like WhatsApp or email, claiming to have posted a damaging one-star review. They then demand payment in exchange for deleting it. Google’s official guidance describes these scams as often involving a sudden influx of low-star reviews, followed by demands for money, goods, or services to have those reviews taken down.
The reporting form is accessible directly through your Google account and requires you to provide your contact information, details about the affected Business Profile, specifics of the extortion attempt, and any supporting evidence you have gathered.
If you find yourself targeted, Google strongly advises against engaging with the scammer or attempting to negotiate. Paying them not only fails to ensure review removal but can also make you a repeat target. Instead, focus on collecting all available evidence, such as screenshots of messages and reviews, as quickly as possible. Submit everything through the official form to give Google’s team the information they need to take action.
While some remain skeptical about the form’s effectiveness, early users have reported positive outcomes. One local SEO professional tested the process recently and saw the fraudulent review removed within days, suggesting it is certainly worth trying.
Online reviews, especially those on Google Maps and Search, play a critical role in shaping customer decisions. Even one fraudulent negative review can drive potential clients toward competitors. Staying vigilant and actively working to identify and report fake reviews should be a regular part of managing any business’s online presence. This new form provides a valuable resource to help protect your reputation from malicious attacks.
(Source: Search Engine Land)
