Fake Google Reviews are just for use of traffic. With the rise of digitalization, all businesses have also shifted to online marketplace. Online reviews play a vital role in building a brand image. People rely on these reviews while making purchase decisions. The most trusted online review platform is Google Reviews.
As there is so much competition in the market, there are possibilities that all the reviews present on a business’s review platform may not be genuine. Some businesses practice buying fake reviews to get the desired rating on the search engine. Along with that, some people participate in the unethical act of defaming a business by posting fake bad reviews. So, it becomes hard to distinguish between real and fraudulent reviews and ratings.
It is essential to identify and report fake Google reviews to protect your brand’s reputation. Spotting Fake reviews is not a hard task, if you own the business being reviewed. But as a customer, it can be a challenging task. In this post, we’ll guide you through the process of spotting and reporting fake Google reviews effectively.
How to Spot Fake Google Reviews?
- Inspect The Profile: The oldest tactic of fake reviewers is creating a new profile. Click on the username or profile picture to open the profile. If the profile contains only one review, then it is suspicious. If there are few more reviews, Check the reviewer’s history for patterns of similar language or content in multiple reviews.
- Content of the Reviews: Since such reviewers don’t use any of the business’s products, nor have any in-person experience, their reviews will be generic. They can be applied to any business. Along with that, they will be either overly positive or extremely negative. Fake reviews can also sound like a promotion or advertisement.
- Writing Style: To spot a Google fake reviews look for spelling and grammar mistakes. There could be broken sentences. The used words and language can be mediocre. Because reviewers are trying to deceive, such people avoid using complex and long phrases. Excessive use of exclamation marks or other punctuation may indicate a fake review.
- Competitor’s Product Mentions: If a review mentions the product of any competitor, it is a clear sign of an attempt to defame your business. Such a review, no doubt, is fake. Moreover, any irrelevant information in the review can also cause it to be marked as fake.
- Cross Reference with Other Platforms: Authenticity can be confirmed by cross-referencing Google reviews with those on other platforms. For example, if there is a positive review on the Google Review Platform but the story is completely different on another platform by the same reviewer, it is a fake review.
- Reviews Timing: If you are receiving negative reviews in bulk during a period, there is a chance that they are a result of a specific event or marketing campaign. So, if all the reviews appear in a short time, they are considered fake.
How to Report Fake Google Reviews?
- Flag a Review: To flag a review, first log in to your Google account and find the review you want to flag. Click on the three dots next to the review, and select “Flag as inappropriate”.
- Report a Review: Log in to your Google account. Click on the three dots next to the review you want to report. Choose “Report Review” and select the reason for reporting. Submit your Report.
- Provide Details for Reporting a Review: While reporting, write the real reasons for reporting the review. Mention any evidence you have, such as patterns, suspicious behavior, or inconsistencies.Collect all the evidence that supports your claim. Screenshots, multiple reviews from the same account, or patterns in language can strengthen your case.
- Contact Google Support: Contact Google Support for further assistance if the problem persists or if you have solid evidence. Send them the information and evidence you’ve collected.
Identifying and reporting false Google reviews is a collaborative effort to keep online platforms credible. Businesses and customers both contribute to more trustworthy online review spaces by remaining cautious, acting effectively, and reporting suspicious reviews. Remember that authenticity fosters trust, and by working together, we can ensure that the digital landscape stays a trustworthy source for wise decision-making.