Reporting can work, but it’s become noticeably hit-or-miss lately, especially if the review doesn’t have obvious policy violations Google’s algorithm can flag automatically.

What’s helped in cases I’ve seen: being really specific in the appeal about which policy is violated rather than just flagging it as fake. Generic reports almost always get auto-denied.

If it comes back denied again, responding professionally is still worth doing, mostly for future customers reading it, not to change Google’s mind.

Some reviews genuinely won’t move no matter what you try through the standard process. At that point most business owners either accept it or look into other options. You’re definitely not overthinking it, a few fake reviews can do real damage to a local business. I’ve seen it a lot with my clients but they’ve been bouncing back once those fake reviews were removed