Dealing with a Fake Google Review? Here’s How to Unmask the Reviewer.
Fake reviews can damage your reputation, mislead customers, and waste your time. But what if you could find out who posted it? Identifying the person behind a fake review gives you a better chance of getting it removed—and even holding them accountable.
Here’s how to find out who posted a fake Google review, step by step.
Dig Deeper: How to Delete a Google Review
Can You Really Find Out Who Wrote a Google Review?
Yes—but it’s not always easy.
Google protects user privacy, which means you won’t get direct access to the reviewer’s identity without a legal request. But with the right methods, you can still uncover the person behind a fake review.
Here are your best options.
Method 1: Examine the Reviewer’s Profile
Start with the obvious—click on the reviewer’s profile.
What to Look For:
- Profile Name: Sometimes it’s a real name, but often it’s a username.
- Profile Picture: See if it matches any known customers or competitors.
- Review History: Are they posting fake reviews on multiple businesses?
- Location: Does their location match your customer base?
- Other Reviews: Are they reviewing your competitors positively while attacking your business?
Why This Works:
Fake reviewers often make mistakes:
- Using the same name across multiple fake profiles.
- Leaving similar negative reviews for several businesses in your industry.
- Using a profile photo that can be reverse-searched.
Method 2: Reverse Image Search the Profile Photo
If the reviewer has a profile picture, you can use Google Reverse Image Search to see if it appears elsewhere.
How to Do It:
- Go to Google Images.
- Click the camera icon (Search by Image).
- Upload the reviewer’s profile picture.
Possible Results:
- The image matches a social media profile (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram).
- The photo is a stock image (a common sign of a fake profile).
- It appears on other review sites, suggesting the same fake reviewer is active elsewhere.
Method 3: Cross-Reference Customer Records
If the review claims a specific experience with your business, check your customer records to see if it matches:
- Booking Records: Did this person ever make a reservation?
- Purchase History: Did they actually buy the product or service they mention?
- Communication Records: Have you had any emails, calls, or chats with them?
Why This Works:
If you can prove the reviewer was never a customer, you have strong evidence for removal.
Method 4: Check Your Security Footage (If In-Person)
If the review claims an in-person experience, such as a visit to your store or restaurant, you may be able to confirm whether they were actually there.
- Review your security footage for the date and time mentioned in the review.
- Look for anyone matching the profile photo (if available).
- If the review mentions staff interaction, ask your team if they remember the person.
When This Is Useful:
- The review describes a specific incident.
- The reviewer makes claims about staff interactions.
- The date is recent enough to still have footage.
Method 5: Review Your Social Media Mentions
Sometimes fake reviewers leave hints on social media:
- They may post complaints on your social profiles.
- They may be connected to competitors or ex-employees.
- They may have commented on your posts before.
How to Check:
- Search your business name on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
- Look for comments, messages, or public posts that match the review.
- Check your direct messages for any complaints or arguments.
Why This Works:
Fake reviewers sometimes vent on social media before or after leaving a review.
Method 6: Use a Google Subpoena (Legal Option)
If the review is defamatory or clearly fake, and you have strong evidence, you may be able to issue a subpoena to Google.
How This Works:
- You must file a lawsuit (typically for defamation).
- Your attorney will request a subpoena for Google to reveal the reviewer’s IP address and account information.
- Google may comply if the court agrees that the review is damaging and false.
When to Consider This:
- The review is causing serious reputational or financial harm.
- You have clear evidence that it is false.
- The platform refuses to remove it without legal action.
Important:
Legal action can be expensive and time-consuming. Make sure the damage justifies the cost.
Method 7: Use Professional Investigation Services
If you’re dealing with a high-profile or high-damage case, a professional service can help:
- Conducting social media investigations.
- Cross-referencing known competitors or ex-employees.
- Using digital forensics to identify the reviewer’s patterns.
- Providing clear evidence you can use for removal or legal action.
At Reputation Galaxy, we help clients identify and remove fake reviews—quietly, quickly, and effectively.
What If You Can’t Identify the Reviewer?
If your investigation comes up empty, you can still take action:
- Report the Review: Flag it as fake or inappropriate using the platform’s tools.
- Respond Professionally: Cast doubt on the review without being aggressive.
- Collect Positive Reviews: Bury the fake review with genuine customer feedback.
- Suppress It in Search: Publish positive content that outranks it in Google.
Identification Is Power
Finding out who posted a fake Google review can change the game.
With the right approach, you can turn a damaging attack into a removable offense—or even pursue legal action against the reviewer.
Need Help Removing Fake Reviews or Identifying Reviewers?
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.