How to Remove a Bad Google Review: What You Can, and Can’t Do

A single bad review on your Google Business Profile can feel like a punch to the gut, especially if it’s unfair, inaccurate, or outright fake. The good news is that while we cant guarantee that it can be removed there is some take action you can take.

Here’s a step-by-step guide tothe process of removing bad Google review the right way.

Step 1: Assess the Review — Is It Removable?

Before rushing to report the review, take a breath and read it carefully. Google won’t remove a review just because it’s negative. However, they will take action if the review violates their policies. Exmaples are:

• Hate speech or offensive content
• Personal threats or harassment
• Spam or fake content
• Conflicts of interest (e.g., written by a competitor or ex-employee)
• Irrelevant content (e.g., political commentary, off-topic rants)

If the review ticks any of these boxes, you’re in a strong position to request removal.

Step 2: Flag the Review for Removal

Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to your Google Business lisitng and login.
2. Navigate to the “Reviews” section.
3. Find the offending review.
4. Click the three dots next to it and select “Report review”.
5. Choose the appropriate reason from the list.

OR even easier

Go the following Google Help link and follow the prompts

Google will typically respond within a few business days. If it violates their policies, they’ll remove it. If not, they’ll leave it up.

Step 3: Respond Professionally

If the review doesn’t meet removal criteria, or while you await a repsnose from Google its best to publicly reply to the review. It shows potential customers that you’re proactive, professional, and care about your reputation.

Tips for replying:

• Stay calm and polite
• Acknowledge the issue if it’s valid
• Correct misinformation without sounding defensive
• Offer to continue the conversation offline

You can’t always stop a bad review from appearing, but you can control how you respond. Whether it’s getting it removed or replying with professionalism, every step you take helps protect your brand’s credibility and trust.