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Why Google reviews isn't showing up my review
Robert Tickner • Feb 08, 2023
Are Your Google Map Reviews Not Appearing Properly?
So, I thought the easiest way to get a simple 5-star review on my free Google Business Profile map listing was to ask my partner to write an amazing review!
I WAS WRONG.
The review written by her was carefully crafted, and then inserted to appear on my Google business listing (I even curated it!) but, when my girlfriend left the review and logged out, it doesn't show up at all, and is not able to be noticed on Google search. However, when she logs into her Google admin profile, it shows the review she's actually left!
Sound familiar or frustrating?
So, why isn't my google review showing up?
It is likely that your review got filtered or removed for violating Google's moderated review policies, Google filters a small percentage of reviews based on things like spelling, grammar, punctuation etc. Based on cases we've looked at, here is what we come up with for reasons why your customers reviews might sometimes go missing...
Common problems WHY your reviews may not be displaying on Google
why is my google review not showing? Let's break it down. These are the points as to why my review doesn't show up on a google listing, and hopefully, so you don't miss out on any potential client reviews, or that boost to your website traffic in a local area.
Why is my google review not showing?
Chances are that there is no issue with the review itself, It's more than likey where the Google reviewer came from. So here is the list of common things to avoid if your wanting your review to appear and be displayed on Google permanently.
The person who wrote the review works for you
Your same review appears elsewhere online (Yellow Pages, Yelp, a testimonials page on your website, etc.)
Your # of reviews is unrepresentative or higher than most businesses within your industry.
You are offering incentives for people who write you reviews
You thought hiring a cheap SEO company to post reviews for you might be a good idea
The person wrote the review from the same IP address as other users who left you reviews
The person who wrote the review is a manager of your Google Business Profile listing
The person wrote the review is using the same IP Address or computer that you sign into to manage your local business listing
You've informed EVERYONE you know to write a review, and it's happened within a short time frame
The person reviewing you has never left a review and has never had any activity on that Google profile before or after they left you that review.
The person tried to post a review for you several times on different dates
The person reviewing you has also reviewed multiple other businesses with the same name (if you have several locations and they reviewed all of them)
Same Business, New Location. Google might be displaying a duplicate listing or the business might now be in a new area and Google may choose not to display and allow posting of new reviews
Google (temporarily) disabled reviews. It happens, Google may limit the functionality of an owners Google Business Profile (old GMB) and temporarily disable Google reviews and review responses until the owner restores it by asking for reinstatement
A URL is within the review
If you've placed a URL like
www.mydomain.com in a review or the description, it will not appear on Google at all. Seen this one attempted a few times.
Person who wrote the review works for you
Google funnily enough works things out, don't ask your work colleague sitting next to you to review the company, as it may or may not always appear.
Have you seen the same review before
Are you just too good at copy and paste?
Google bots may have seen that same review also elsewhere online. It looks a bit spammy if you see the person everywhere saying the exact thing on Trustpilot, Yellow Pages, TrueLocal or Yelp etc.

Or it could be a testimonials page on your own website!
The # of reviews on your listing is too high
Your number of reviews is unrepresentative within your industry or just way higher by a long way than everyone around you. Maybe Google has tall poppy syndrome!
Don't offer incentives for reviews
Reviews are really only valuable when they are honest and unbiased. Google has strict guidelines in place that explicitly prohibit business owners from offering incentives for reviews, basically because incentives don't bring out an accurate sentiment from the reviewer.
You thought an SEO company can help
It's tempting hiring a SEO company to post reviews for you, in fact it could give you an early boost initially, but don't. Cheap reviews and especially one's from overseas or one's not local and will only lead to a penalty in Google's eyes at some point. Slow, consistent and steady reviews will win the race.
Making a review from the same IP address
Sometimes it will be OK, then other times it won't work. But, the person who wrote the review from the same IP address as other reviewers may not be displayed on Google. So don't use the same computer and try it from another IP address.
Google understands the game probably better than most.
The manager on Google Business Profile listing
If you the owner, or if one of your managers on your Google Business Profile map is attempt writing a review (yes that means giving yourself a 5 star review) it won't appear.
All the reviews at the same time
Again, it just looks spammy. If all your reviews are on the same day then you don't have any reviews for the next 6 months right?
Sure get your family and friends to review your business BUT don't message them all at the same time, space your trusted reviews out over time.
The user is new to Gmail
It would be easy just to create another Gmail address and that would mean another possible review? WRONG.
If the person reviewing your business has never left a review before, plus has never had any activity on their Google profile, it makes sense that Google's isn't going to show the review or they could choose to take it down just as easily.
Don't keep trying again and again
If the person tried to post a review for you several times, and on different dates ( meaning they wrote one in July and it got filtered so they tried doing again in August) it's probaly going against a Google policy.
Automated reviewer bot
A person reviewing your Google listing has also reviewed multiple other businesses of yours with the same name, remember copy and paste (if you have several locations and they reviewed all of them)
How to contest your contributions or reviews not visible on Google Maps
Google is committed to keeping their Maps an enjoyable and safe experience for all. That's why they've implemented robust policies that protect users from inappropriate content, regularly updating those protections as needed. So if you believe a mistake has been made with your review contributions not being published on Google Maps, let them know!
You'll just need to enter in your google profile ID and their relevant internal teams will take it from there and investigate what happened, find the link here →
Account investigation for contributions not visible on Google Maps.
Final thoughts
Remember, the best way to organically increase your Google Business Profile reviews is by slowly, consistent and steadily, and that will win the race on Google Maps for local businesses.
At Social Space we help set up and maximise your Google listing, so if you need assistance with your
Google Listing PLEASE reach out to us.
How has your experience been on leaving Google reviews?
Feel free to get in touch with me if you like this helpful blog.
About Social Space
Hey there, I'm Robert Tickner!
I’m an online visibility consultant who helps local small businesses get noticed on Google search, and guides them on their digital journey. I build websites with structured web design practices through SEO services that get noticed on Google's search algorithms, write the occasional blog, and boost Google My Business listings to improve overall traffic that helps convert more potential new clients to your website.
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We build Small Business Websites that stand out. By merging Local Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) focused on generating leads through clear Web Design strategies to help organisations succeed with their online presence.
