In France, 1 in 3 reviews is suspected of being fake (DGCCRF study). For business owners, it's a plague that can cost up to 15% of revenue.
How to spot a fake review
- Recent profile — Account created recently with few reviews
- Vague details — No specific mention of the experience
- Suspicious timing — Several negative reviews within days
- Extreme language — Overly glowing or overly hostile
- Identifiable competitor — The profile has also rated your competitors positively
How to report to Google
- Open Google Maps and find your listing
- Click on the suspicious review
- Click the 3 dots → "Report as inappropriate"
- Choose the reason (spam, off-topic, conflict of interest)
- Wait 5 to 10 business days
If Google doesn't remove the review
You can:
- Contact Google Business Profile support directly
- Respond publicly in a professional manner
- Drown the review by encouraging authentic reviews from real customers
Respond while awaiting removal
Never leave a fake review unanswered. A calm, factual response shows future customers you're professional. GMB AI Review can automatically generate an appropriate response even for suspicious reviews.