How to Flag Negative Reviews on Your Google Business Profile: A Step-by-Step Guide

Drew Johnson
Sep 15
3 min read

In today's digital landscape, your Google Business Profile (GBP) is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. Positive reviews can boost your visibility, credibility, and SEO rankings, while negative or fake ones can harm your reputation. If you've encountered reviews that violate Google's guidelines—such as spam, fake content, conflicts of interest, or inappropriate language—you can flag them for potential removal. This guide walks you through the process of reporting these reviews yourself. Remember, Google only removes reviews that clearly breach their policies, so not every negative review qualifies.

At Next Call, we specialize in Google review removal services, helping businesses like yours navigate these challenges. If the DIY approach doesn't yield results or feels overwhelming, our experts can handle it for you.

Why Flag Negative Reviews?

Before diving into the steps, it's important to understand the impact:

Credibility: Fake or unfair reviews can erode trust with potential customers.
SEO and Visibility: Google's algorithm favors profiles with high ratings and genuine engagement.
Business Growth: Removing invalid reviews can improve your overall star rating and attract more patrons.

Flagging is a free, straightforward process, but it requires patience—Google typically reviews reports within a few days to two weeks.

Step-by-Step Guide to Flagging a Review

Follow these steps to report a review directly through your Google Business Profile. You'll need to be signed in as the profile owner or manager.

Log into Your Google Business ProfileVisit business.google.com and sign in with the Google account associated with your business. If you manage multiple locations, select the correct one from the dashboard.
Navigate to the Reviews SectionOn the left-hand menu, click on "Reviews." This will display all reviews left on your profile, sorted by most recent.
Locate the Review You Want to FlagScroll through the list to find the negative or suspicious review. Look for signs of violation, such as it being from a fake account, containing spam, or being irrelevant to your business.
Flag the Review as InappropriateNext to the review, click the three vertical dots (ellipsis) menu. Select "Flag as inappropriate" or "Report review" (the option may vary slightly depending on your interface).
Choose the Reason for ReportingGoogle will prompt you to select a violation category. Options include:
- Spam or fake review
- Conflict of interest (e.g., from a competitor)
- Off-topic or irrelevant
- Profanity or harassment
- Other policy violationsPick the one that best fits and provide any additional details if requested. Be honest and specific to increase the chances of removal.
Submit the Report and Monitor ProgressClick "Submit" or "Send." Google will review your report, and if approved, the review will be removed. You can check back in your Reviews section for updates. The process can take 2-14 days, so be patient.

Tips for Success

Respond Publicly First: Before flagging, consider replying to the review professionally. This shows good customer service and might encourage the reviewer to update or remove it themselves.
Gather Evidence: If the review is from a fake account or competitor, note any supporting details in your report.
Avoid Multiple Reports: Don't flag the same review repeatedly, as this could delay processing.
Use Google Maps Alternative: If you're having trouble via the dashboard, try flagging through Google Maps on desktop or mobile: Search for your business, go to reviews, and use the flag option.

When to Seek Professional Help

While these steps empower you to handle simple cases, not all reviews are easy to remove. Google may deny your request if the review doesn't clearly violate guidelines, or the process might involve appeals and follow-ups. If you're stuck, dealing with multiple reviews, or need faster results, professional assistance can make a difference.

That's where Next Call comes in. Our Google review removal service specializes in assessing your profile, developing tailored strategies, and executing removals efficiently. We've helped businesses like BrewBoat, HomeSmiles, and Clearwater Party Boats restore their online reputation. Contact our experts today at https://www.next-call.com/google-review-removal to get started.