🚩 Flag Inappropriate Reviews

Help keep your profile honest by reporting content that clearly violates Google's rules.

📌 Why It Matters

Bad reviews happen but some clearly violate Google's rules.
Flagging these helps keep your business profile clean, fair, and trustworthy.
It's one of the simplest ways to protect your rating over time.

✅ When to Flag

Only report reviews that actually break policy, such as:

🗒 Off topic

Review doesn't relate to an experience at your business

"I heard this place is bad, but I've never been."
The reviewer never actually visited or interacted with the business.

🧼 Spam

From a bot, fake account, or filled with ads/promotions

"Visit bestfooddeals.com for coupons"
Promotional or fake content not related to real experience.

🚩 Conflict of interest

Posted by someone connected to your business or a competitor

"I worked here and management is terrible."
From an employee, ex-employee, or competitor.

🤬 Profanity

Contains swear words, sexually explicit language, or graphic violence

"This place is f***ing trash."
Inappropriate or graphic content that violates community standards.

🙅 Bullying or harassment

Personally attacks a specific individual

"The guy with glasses is rude and stupid."
Insulting or targeting a named or described staff member.

🚫 Discrimination or hate speech

Uses harmful language targeting identity, race, gender, religion, etc.

"These people shouldn't be allowed to run a business."
Review expresses bias or hate based on personal characteristics.

🔐 Personal information

Reveals private contact details like phone numbers or home addresses

"Call the owner at 052-1234567 if you have a problem."
Violates privacy by exposing sensitive information.

🙃 Not helpful (Weakest option)

Doesn't help others decide whether to visit

"Meh."
Adds no value — flag only if no better reason fits.

🚩 How to Flag

1. Go to your business google Reviews using Google search or Google maps
2. Click the three-dot menu next to the review
3. Select "Report review"
4. Choose the correct reason (spam, off-topic, profanity, etc.)
5. Submit, Google will review it within a few days to weeks

🕒 After You Report

• Decision pending → initially flagged
• Review removed → hidden from Maps/Search
• No violation found → option to appeal once

Google's process typically takes a few days to a few weeks

💡 Smart Tips

• Be honest, only flag if it really breaks policy
• Choose the most specific reason — it helps Google's decision
• If it isn't removed, use your one-time appeal
• Keep screenshots/records if a review is defamatory or strongly damaging