How to remove a fake Google review (and what Google won't remove)
Updated
Nobody can delete a review except Google, and Google removes a review only when it breaks a policy. A review that is unfair but describes a real bad experience stays up. A fake one, a competitor's, an ex-employee's or an abusive one can come down, and Google has a set process for it.
The short answer
Report the review from your Business Profile or in Google's Reviews Management Tool, choosing the reason that fits, then track it there; Google says evaluation typically takes several days. If the answer is "no policy violation" and you still believe it breaks a policy, you get one appeal, for up to 10 reviews at a time. If someone floods you with 1-star reviews and demands money, use Google's extortion form and do not pay. Google does not remove genuine negative reviews, so reply to those calmly instead.
What you see
- A review from someone who was never a customer.
- Several 1-star reviews in a short time, sometimes followed by a demand for money.
- A review from a competitor, a former employee, or with abuse in it.
Why it happens
What Google removes
Fake engagement (reviews paid for or posted from several accounts), conflicts of interest such as a competitor or a current or former employee, harassment, hate speech, profanity, and content that is off-topic.
What Google does not remove
A review you disagree with or dislike. Google says it allows content that describes a negative experience respectfully.
What to do, step by step
Check it breaks a policy
Read Google's policy. If the review is a real customer's bad experience, reporting it will not work; a good reply will do more for you.
Google's review content policyReport it
On your Business Profile, open the reviews, use the report option on the review and choose the reason. Or report it in the Reviews Management Tool, where you can follow its status.
Manage and report reviewsTrack the decision
The tool shows Decision pending, Report reviewed - no policy violation, or Escalated - check your email for updates. Google says evaluation typically takes several days.
Appeal once if you disagree
If a reported review was found not to break a policy, Google allows a one-time appeal through Appeal eligible reviews, for up to 10 reviews at once.
Extortion: use the dedicated form
If someone posts 1-star reviews and demands money to stop, use Google's extortion form. Attach screenshots of the demands, links to the reviews and the person's contact details. Google says do not engage with them or pay.
Report review extortionReply in public meanwhile
A short, calm reply tells the next customer more than the review does (there is a draft below). Never accuse the reviewer by name of lying.
A calm public reply to a review from someone who was not a customer
Reply to the review from your Business Profile, then replace the parts in brackets.
Hello, thank you for taking the time to write. We could not find any visit or order at [your business name] matching this review. If you did visit us, please call us on [phone] so we can look into it and put it right.
What not to do
- Do not report a review just because it is negative. Google will not remove it, and you spend your one appeal.
- Do not bury it with fake positive reviews. A profile caught with fake reviews can be blocked from new reviews and shown with a warning.
- Do not pay a 'review removal service'. Only Google removes reviews, and only for policy reasons.
- Do not pay or bargain with someone threatening more bad reviews. Google says do not engage.
What Sunaam does, and does not
Sunaam alerts you on WhatsApp the moment a bad review lands and drafts a calm reply in the reviewer's language, so the next customer reads your side the same day. Nothing is posted until you approve it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I delete a Google review myself?
No. Only Google can remove a review, and only when it breaks Google's policies. You can report it, and reply to it publicly.
How long does Google take to remove a reported review?
Google says evaluation typically takes several days. You can follow the status in the Reviews Management Tool.
A former employee left a bad review. Can it be removed?
A review from a current or former employee is a conflict of interest under Google's policy, so report it with that reason.
Someone is threatening to post bad reviews unless I pay. What do I do?
Do not pay or engage. Report it with Google's extortion form, attaching screenshots of the demands, links to the reviews and the person's contact details.
Can Sunaam remove a review for me?
No, and nobody else can either. Only Google removes reviews. Sunaam drafts a calm, honest reply for you to approve.
From Google's own help pages
Read on 8 Nov 2026. Third-party sources are marked.
Related problems
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Sunaam (Teknesya Networks Pvt Ltd) is an independent service and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Google. Google Business Profile is free from Google.