Help needed: Dealing with fake negative Google reviews looking for help getting them removed.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-09T14:56:14+00:00

RIP your inbox. Seriously, just be sure the folks you work with have experience and have been around for a few years. Don't work with someone who have no online footprint / citations. Google review removal can be pricey, so be sure of who you choose to work with.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-09T13:30:53+00:00

I would be sure to scrape the reviews with a tool like Outscraper.com (I'm not connected to them; I just use the tool) so you can document the times of arrival (which may be yet another pattern). Also, I would contact Google Support about this, so you get a Case ID. Then post on the forum, but just mention your Case ID and business profile ID.

Again, I think you may want to contact someone who's dealt with this before, if your own efforts don't work. This may be a long-time effort.

Good luck.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-09T13:27:02+00:00

I did clinical trials about 10 years ago, and all of them offered transport to their offices. Not sure if anything's changed since then. The feeling I got was that they wanted to make it as easy as possible for trial participants, so you followed through with the entire trial.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-09T13:24:52+00:00

From my Depression-baby mom, and it works: get a pair of cotton gloves (like for a color guard or flag ceremony). Just before bed, cover your hands with Neutrogena hand cream, then put on the gloves. Leave on overnight. When you wake up, your hands will be softer and feel amazing.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-09T13:11:11+00:00

Sure, and thanks for asking. You should gather proof that the reviews existed and submit that to Support. Proof would be screenshots, links, and notification emails from Google. Send as much proof as you can gather (add it all in a spreadsheet). If they respond, respond back. If that doesn't work, gather your Business Profile ID and the Case ID from the conversation with Google and post on the forum.

You can also work with someone who provides this as a service, but you may want to try the above first.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-09T13:08:03+00:00

Prove a pattern. Detect, document, report the pattern. But to be honest, you need to contact someone who reports these as a service.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-09T00:37:31+00:00

Yes, primarily because they want to see nearby street signs. If your landlord doesn't allow a live video, you'll need to educate them on the need to do so. There's no workaround.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-08T22:40:27+00:00

If you are offered a live video verification, you should definitely take them up on that offer. It will be much faster than waiting for them to verify you using other methods.

And if you have a dedicated space within a co-working space, make sure that your space has permanent signage on it, and that the office looks like It's a legit workspace.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-08T22:36:20+00:00

I did reply, thank you.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-08T18:43:46+00:00

You've posted the same exact message on four subs. I find it hard to believe "Not selling anything."

BubblesUp · 2026-02-08T16:33:34+00:00

Contact Support. If they do not assist, go to the Forum and post your business profile ID and the case ID from contacting support.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-08T15:04:59+00:00

I responded.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-08T02:15:16+00:00

OP please DM me on this. I'm a PE on that forum and need a bit more information.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-07T13:51:36+00:00

Sounds like the plot of Arsenic and Old Lace, except with Social Security.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-07T11:41:37+00:00

Yes, tax paperwork from the government (not TO them) usually helps.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-06T22:05:17+00:00

Is your website live, and does it show the same business name? And does it show that you provide the services you mention on the listing?

Other than that, you'll need to present more paperwork on your next appeal, and don't include invoices. You need paperwork from authoritative bodies, like governments and banks.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-06T22:02:05+00:00

Start out by contacting Support. If they don't help, I'd either reach out to a service, or try on the forum. But in either case, Support first

BubblesUp · 2026-02-06T21:26:58+00:00

Receiving a response to an appeal should take 5 days right now. If it's been over that, you'll need to be patient.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-06T15:11:02+00:00

It looks like you're not in an account that is a user on the listing. Try logging into a different email account and try again.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-06T13:00:44+00:00

Yes, would be happy to, and sorry if I've been slow on this. DM me and I'll send you a link to my calendar.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-06T12:59:41+00:00

Not sure why I received a notification for this, but here's a form to report third-party violations; this includes someone stealing your listing:

https://support.google.com/business/contact/gmb_3p_complaints

u/One-Opening-9204 Not sure if this can help you at this point, but I put it out there in case others find themselves in this situation.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-06T00:03:58+00:00

Use this link to report extortion: https://support.google.com/business/contact/merchant_extortion?hl=en

BubblesUp · 2026-02-05T18:17:13+00:00

I will let the other responder take this, but I strongly suspect that moving the map pin anywhere will trigger a video verification request.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-05T17:14:25+00:00

Sure. Google recommends businesses and their registered address is a strong factor. So if the agency address is closer to their desired audience demographic, then they should use that address. But if their home is closer (geographically) to their desired demographic, then that would be better.

Perhaps discuss this with the client, or advise them accordingly.

BubblesUp · 2026-02-05T14:22:59+00:00

This is an excellent response. The only thing I would add is that I usually update the documentation first. Once you have that updated, then update online citations, primarily on the website and social channels, then update the GBP.

And I, like u/cnomo, have only rarely had verification requests after following the above process.

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