A bad review can hurt—especially if it’s fake, misleading, or from someone who never did business with you. That leads to a common question:
Can you remove someone else’s Google review?
The short answer: no, not directly. But there are steps you can take to get it removed if it breaks Google’s rules.
Dig Deeper: How to Delete a Google Review
You Can’t Delete It Yourself
If a review appears on your business profile and you didn’t write it, you can’t delete it manually. Only the person who wrote it—or Google—can take it down.
Google doesn’t let business owners remove reviews just because they disagree with them. Even unfair or critical reviews will stay up if they follow Google’s policies.
When You Can Get a Review Removed
Google will remove reviews that violate its content policy. This includes:
- Fake reviews (from people who weren’t actual customers)
- Spam or repeated reviews
- Conflicts of interest (like reviews from ex-staff or competitors)
- Harassment or hate speech
- Off-topic rants (not about a real experience with your business)
- Private information (names, addresses, personal data)
If the review fits one of these, you’ve got a shot.
How to Report the Review
- Open your Google Business Profile
- Find the review in question
- Click the three dots next to it
- Select “Report Review”
- Choose the most accurate reason from the list
After that, Google may review and remove it if it breaks policy. This usually takes a few days, but can be longer if it needs a human moderator.
What If It Doesn’t Get Removed?
Even if the review is fake or damaging, Google might leave it up. Their systems don’t catch everything. Here’s what else you can do:
1. Respond Professionally
Reply clearly and calmly:
“We don’t have any record of your visit, but we take feedback seriously. Please contact us directly so we can better understand the issue.”
This shows other readers you’re being transparent and proactive.
2. Escalate the Case
If the review clearly violates policy but wasn’t removed, you can contact Google Business Support. Include:
- Screenshots
- Dates
- Any proof that the reviewer never interacted with your business
In serious cases, some business owners have used a court order or cease-and-desist letter to force removal—especially for fake or defamatory reviews.
3. Push It Down
If removal fails, you can still reduce its impact. Ask happy customers to leave more reviews. Google tends to prioritise recent activity, so new reviews can move the bad one out of view.
You can also work with SEO or reputation services to remove negative Google reviews from search results—or bury them with positive content.
Common Questions
Can I sue over a false review?
Yes, if it’s defamatory and causes real harm. But legal action should be a last resort. It’s slow and expensive.
Can I contact the reviewer?
Sometimes, yes—but be careful. Never pressure them. A polite message asking for clarification is fine, but don’t offer bribes or threaten them.
What if the reviewer is anonymous?
You can still report it. If you suspect it’s fake, flag it. Google doesn’t require full names or accounts tied to real purchases.
Bottom Line
You can’t remove someone else’s Google review yourself—but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it. If the review breaks Google’s policies, you can flag it, escalate it, and in serious cases, take legal action. If it doesn’t break the rules, focus on burying it with better reviews and a strong online presence.
And if the review includes private images or sensitive content, flag it immediately. That triggers a different review process—and could speed up removal.
Need help reviewing a specific case? I can walk you through what’s worth flagging and what’s better off buried.
At Reputation Galaxy, we help businesses identify and remove fake reviews, protect their reputation, and restore trust—fast.
No win, no fee. Private support. Proven results.
Get a Free Quote or call us now to start your investigation.