Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article
TL;DR Summary of Google Expands Review Posting Restrictions on Local Business Profiles
Google is expanding its feature that disables review posting on certain local business listings due to suspicious high-rated reviews. Initially limited to regions like the UK, this restriction is now appearing in the US and other markets. Businesses affected receive notices explaining that suspicious reviews were removed and ratings updated. This rollout aims to maintain review integrity and combat fraudulent feedback on Google Business Profiles.
Optimixed’s Overview: How Google’s Review Posting Limits Impact Local Business Profiles Nationwide
Background and Expansion of the Review Restriction Feature
Google introduced a mechanism in late 2023 to temporarily disable the ability for certain local listings to receive new reviews. The initial implementation targeted specific regions, notably the UK, as a response to a surge in suspicious, artificially high-rated reviews.
Current Developments and Geographic Spread
- Expansion to the US: Reports from industry experts and social media posts confirm that this feature is now active across US-based Google Business Profiles.
- Official Consumer Alerts: Google has published documentation explaining these “consumer notices” that inform users when review posting is disabled.
- Notification Details: Affected listings display messages such as “Posting reviews is turned off for this place” and clarify that suspicious reviews were removed, leading to updated ratings.
Implications for Businesses and Users
This proactive approach by Google helps protect the authenticity of business ratings and reviews by:
- Reducing the impact of fraudulent or manipulated feedback.
- Enhancing trust for consumers relying on Google Business Profile reviews.
- Temporarily suspending review submissions to investigate suspicious activity.
Businesses experiencing this restriction should monitor their Google Business Profiles closely and ensure their review management practices comply with Google’s policies to avoid prolonged limitations.
