Buying Google Reviews? Think Twice Before Google Puts You in Review Jail

Last year, I wrote about how frustrated I was about this business that was buying fake 5-star Google reviews. It seemed that no matter what anyone did, this business was going to get away with Google review manipulation. Every time Google took down a batch of hundreds of reviews, they just continued to buy more.

In 2024, that has all changed.

This specific business has been sitting at a low average rating for the last several months and has not received new reviews on the majority of their listings.

While still not common, I have seen multiple occasions in the last few months when Google has blocked a business from receiving new reviews. I’m calling this review jail (yep, I like how it sounds). 

What is a Google Review Block (Review Jail)?

Review jail is when Google puts a temporary block on a business listing that has bought fake 5-star Google reviews so that the business can not receive any new reviews. While this block is on the listing, the listing doesn’t appear any different. It still has a review button and users can still leave reviews, the reviews simply don’t publish.

If you’re in the UK, Google can also remove all ratings and reviews from your listings (including the average rating) and apply a warning label that tells customers you’ve had suspected fake reviews. 

How Long Does Google Block the Reviews from Publishing?

The time varies on a case-by-case basis. On cases I’ve been monitoring, it has lasted for 6-8 months. That is a long time for a business to go without new reviews. 

How Do You Get a Review Block Removed?

You can’t. If you ask Google support to remove the block, they’ll simply tell you they are monitoring it and will remove it based on timelines they have internally. The timeline is not something they will share with businesses. This might sound frustrating, but maybe think twice before you buy fake reviews. Additionally, Google will not tell you why they put the block on your listing. 

Previously I had only seen Google block reviews on businesses that were getting negative reviews, so this trend of them doing it for positive (fake) reviews is interesting. If they start doing this more, I think it could really discourage business owners from buying reviews.



How Does a Review Block Affect Businesses? 

For this section, I reached out to Curtis Boyd at the Transparency Company to get a better idea of how he’s seeing businesses impacted by this new trend. He shared that review blocks are hurting businesses in the following ways.

1. Loss of Credibility:

   • When a business is caught posting fake reviews and is subsequently blocked from publishing new reviews, it suffers a severe blow to its credibility. Consumers increasingly rely on online reviews to make purchasing decisions, especially recent reviews. For companies monitoring fake review behavior and sharing it with consumers – this sends a clear signal that the business has engaged in unethical behavior. This can result in a lasting stigma, even after the ban is lifted, as customers may remain skeptical about the authenticity of the business’s future reviews.

2. Reduced Visibility on Google Maps:

   • Google’s algorithm takes into account user revie ws when ranking businesses in search results. A block can lead to a decrease in review activity, which in turn can reduce the business’s visibility on Google Maps. This lower visibility can result in a significant drop in customer traffic, both online and in-store, as fewer potential customers discover the business.

3. Negative Customer Perception:

   • Once a business is associated with fake reviews, it can struggle to regain customer trust. Negative perceptions can spread quickly, especially if the incident becomes public knowledge. Even loyal customers may start to question the integrity of the business, leading to a potential loss of repeat customers and negative word-of-mouth.

4. Financial Loss:

   • The combination of reduced visibility, loss of credibility, and damaged customer relationships can lead to a direct impact on the business’ bottom line. With fewer customers finding the business through Google Maps, sales may decline. The cost of repairing the damage—through PR efforts, marketing campaigns, or even rebranding can also be substantial.

How Should a Business Owner React to This?

The tension between consumer protection and the severe consequences for businesses is at the heart of this issue. While blocking businesses that engage in fraudulent review practices is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the platform and protecting consumers, it can have drastic and sometimes devastating effects on the businesses involved.

Businesses caught in this situation often face an uphill battle to recover, highlighting the importance of maintaining ethical practices from the start. For consumers, however, these actions by Google are essential to ensure they can rely on the reviews they read when making purchasing decisions.

The challenge for businesses is to navigate this landscape carefully, ensuring they build their reputation on genuine customer experiences rather than attempting shortcuts that can lead to long-term harm.