Google Maps Cracks Down On Fake Reviews

Google Maps is cracking down on business pages involved in fake reviews, making this activity more visible to users. The platform will now implement restrictions on business profiles that violate its Fake Engagement policy, which may include temporarily removing reviews, blocking new ratings, and displaying warning messages on profiles where fake reviews have been deleted.

These restrictions were first rolled out in the UK earlier this year, but according to Search Engine Roundtable, the support page was updated in mid-September to suggest a global application. Currently, only UK users are encountering these business warnings, as illustrated by an example shared on X by Mike Blumenthal.

Google’s policy on prohibited and restricted content states that contributions to Maps “should reflect a genuine experience at a place or business.” Business pages are not allowed to display content that doesn’t accurately represent the location or product in question or has been incentivized through payments, discounts, or freebies. Additionally, Google Maps will monitor for reviews that attempt to manipulate ratings by being posted from multiple accounts or using emulators, modified operating systems, or other tactics that mimic authentic engagement.

While it remains unclear how Google will effectively identify which reviews breach these rules, the potential for public scrutiny may deter some businesses from trying to artificially boost their ratings. The warning message can also assist users in avoiding locations that Google deems untrustworthy, rather than having suspicious reviews simply disappear without explanation.

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