False positives
If you are concerned about the appearance of misleading reviews or other false information, it is time to take corrective action. You can report such posts to Google's My Business community forum. In some cases, the community forum may be able to find the post and escalate it directly to Google. No matter who you are contacting, you must always provide accurate information. False reviews not only look deceitful, but can even be illegal.
CBC News recently conducted an investigation and discovered a black market for fake reviews. Fake positive reviews have been purchased by some companies. Many others have been scammed by online firms offering "review-fixing", or posting negative comments. One investigation found a network consisting of 1,279 North American businesses. These accounts had posted 3,574 false reviews.
Spam
Google's new ML based algorithm has slowed spam review creation but it isn’t solved. In April and May, the number of spam reviews reported rose to historically high levels. It's unclear whether Google is altering its spam-removal algorithm to address the increasing number of complaints.
Businesses can use Google Review Filter to avoid spammy reviews. This service allows businesses to find and delete reviews that violate their policies. The algorithm detects spam reviews, which are fake reviews that have been written by people who do not know the product and are intended to manipulate star rankings. It also considers duplicate reviews that are written by the exact same customer spam.
Fraudulent reviews
Having a slew of fake Google reviews can be a major headache. Thankfully, there are a few ways to identify fake reviews. Checking your customer list is one of the best ways to identify fake reviews. Duplicate reviews could indicate that someone has placed an order or bought the product from you. You can also check out the reviewer's details to determine whether they are really a real customer.
If you notice a review you don't recognize, try flagging it. Google will look at all flagged reviews. You cannot be sure it will be removed. You could lose your online visibility if it is still there.
Google: Report suspicious reviews
If you notice a review that looks suspicious, you can report it to Google. You can report suspicious reviews through Google's Support tab. To send your message, either the email option or by calling the number. Send a screenshot of the review to Google. You should receive a response from Google within 24 hours.
Google's review system was designed to be fair to consumers and businesses. However, it is possible to see fake reviews. Fake reviews can be difficult to spot, so it is crucial to be vigilant. A network of fake testimonials was found by CBC News during a recent investigation. It included at least 1,279 businesses in North America, 208 fake accounts, and 3,574 fake reviews.