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How to Report a Fake Google Review and Get It Looked At

By Sam · Last updated 11 October 2026 · 6 minute read

Contents

• What counts as fake
• Signs a review may be fake
• How to flag it
• Evidence to keep
• What you cannot get removed
• What UK law says
• What not to do
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

What counts as fake

The ASA defines a fake consumer review as one that claims to be based on a person’s genuine experience when it is not. That can include reviews written by competitors, by former staff or by people connected to the business, reviews that were paid for or reviews generated by software. A review that is merely harsh or unfair, from someone who really was a customer, is not fake.

Signs a review may be fake

• You cannot find the reviewer in your records, or the job described never happened.
• The review describes a service you do not offer.
• Several reviews appear at once with similar wording.
• The reviewer has left an unlikely range of reviews elsewhere.
• The review is abusive or off topic.

None of these proves a review is fake, so check your records before you act.

How to flag it

1. Check your records for the reviewer’s name, the date and the job.
2. Find the review in your Google Business Profile or on Google Maps and use the option to report it. Google changes the wording of these options, so follow the labels you see.
3. Choose the policy it breaks, for example fake engagement, off-topic content or harassment.
4. Give a short, factual explanation, with evidence where Google asks for it.
5. Keep a copy of what you sent and the date.
6. Wait, and avoid repeated reports for the same review.

Simply Business notes that you probably cannot delete a bad review yourself, and points to Google’s guidance on requesting removal.

Evidence to keep

• A search of your customer records, showing no match.
• The job list for the dates mentioned.
• Screenshots of the review and the reviewer’s public profile.
• Any messages that show a dispute or a competitor link.

What you cannot get removed

A genuine negative review from a real customer is not fake, even if you disagree with it. It usually stays. Reply calmly instead; see how to respond to a bad Google review.

What UK law says

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 bans fake and misleading consumer reviews from 6 April 2025. The Competition and Markets Authority enforces it and can act directly. The Advertising Standards Authority’s CAP Code rule 3.44 says marketing must not contain fake consumer reviews. If you believe a competitor is commissioning fake reviews about you, take legal advice, and check the CMA’s and Google’s current routes for reporting. Our guide on the UK rules on rewarding reviews covers what the law says about your own review practices.

What not to do

• Post fake reviews of your own in return.
• Threaten or harass a reviewer.
• Pay anyone to remove reviews on your behalf unless you know exactly how.
• Assume that every critical review is fake.

If your profile has been affected by reviews, read what to do if your Google Business Profile is suspended. For building a healthy flow of honest reviews, see how to get more Google reviews.

Frequently asked questions

Can I delete a Google review myself?

No. You can reply to it and report it if it breaks the policies, but Google decides whether to remove it.

How long does removal take?

We could not find a published timeframe. Keep your evidence and avoid repeated reports for the same review.

Is it illegal to post a fake review?

UK law now bans fake and misleading reviews. Take legal advice about your own situation.

What if a competitor is leaving fake reviews?

Flag them with evidence, keep records and take legal advice. Check the CMA’s and Google’s current routes.

Should I reply to a review I think is fake?

Briefly and politely, saying you cannot find the customer and inviting them to contact you. Then flag it.

Sources

• ASA, Fake consumer reviews, checked 11 October 2026.
• Boyes Turner, Fake reviews: new banned practice, checked 11 October 2026.
• Lewis Silkin, It’s not all smiles: Zingy warned about fake ratings, checked 11 October 2026.
• Brodies, Advertising compliance and regulatory enforcement, checked 11 October 2026.
• Simply Business, How to get Google reviews for your business, checked 11 October 2026.

Sam, Editor at Clariti Digital.

Related guides

• How to get more Google reviews: How to ask for more Google reviews within Google and UK rules.
• How to respond to a bad Google review: How to reply calmly to a bad review, with examples.
• Discount for Google reviews, UK rules: What Google and UK law say about rewarding reviews.

This guide is general information, not legal advice.