Can I edit or remove a Google review I wrote?

How do I edit or delete a review I wrote?

The reviewer owns the review. You can change or remove it at any time. You must use the Google Account that posted it. Menu names can differ a little between the app and the web, but the steps are the same.

1. Sign in to the Google Account that wrote the review.
2. Open Google Maps.
3. Search for the business by name and city.
4. Select Reviews and find your own review.
5. Select the three-dot menu next to it.
6. Choose Edit to change the text or the star rating. Choose Delete to remove it.
7. Save your change or confirm the deletion.

If you cannot find the review, look in your own contributions on your Google Maps profile.

What happens to the date when I edit a review?

The date on the review changes. Google’s help pages say that when a customer changes a review, the date shows when the latest update was made. Other people then see the review as newer. Your earlier wording is replaced by the new wording.

Can I change my review after the business replies?

Yes. Google states that customers can still change their review after they read a reply. When a business replies, Google notifies the person who wrote the review. A clear and polite reply can give you a reason to look at the review again. You do not have to change it. The decision is yours.

Can a business ask me to change or remove my review?

A business can ask you to contact them to resolve a problem. Google’s guidance for businesses says to move complex cases to phone or email. A business cannot pay you for a change. Google does not allow merchants to offer incentives, such as payment, discounts, or free goods and services, in exchange for a revised review or for the removal of a negative review. Reviews that are posted after such an offer can be removed.

If a business offers you a reward to change your review, you can decline. You can also flag the behaviour to Google. In Canada, the Competition Bureau also treats misleading online reviews as a concern, so a paid review is a risk for both sides.

Can a business owner delete a review that a customer wrote?

No. An owner cannot delete a customer review directly. The owner can flag a review. Google removes it only if it violates its policies. Google says that you should not report a review just because you disagree with it or dislike it. Google does not get involved in conflicts between businesses and customers.

If a review does break the rules, the owner can follow these steps:

1. Go to the Business Profile and select Read reviews.
2. Select Report next to the review.
3. Choose the reason, such as Spam or Profanity.
4. Select Send report.
5. Check the status later in the Reviews Management Tool.

Google says that review evaluation typically takes several days. If Google finds no violation, the owner can submit a one-time appeal. The owner can select up to 10 reviews for one appeal. Google then sends the result by email.

What if I am the owner and I wrote a review of my own business?

Delete it. Google’s content policies list content that is based on a conflict of interest as a violation. This includes current employment and other professional or personal ties to the business. A review from an owner can also be removed by Google, and it can make the whole profile look less trustworthy to real customers.

What should I do if a bad review is real but unfair?

Reply in public with a calm and short answer. Do not attack the reviewer. Do not share private details. Offer a phone call or an email to fix the problem. Google notes that negative reviews are not always a sign of poor service, and that a mix of positive and negative feedback often feels more trustworthy to readers.