How to Remove Bad Reviews from Google My Business (Legally & Fast)

Bad Google Reviews hurting your business? You're not alone—93% of customers read reviews before buying, and just one negative review can cost you 30% of potential customers.

The good news? Some bad reviews can be removed, and others can be buried with smart tactics. Here's your step-by-step guide (plus how to prevent future bad reviews with AI).

Can You Delete a Google Review?

Google allows review removal only if they violate policies. Here's when to flag a review:

• ✅ False claims (e.g., "They stole my wallet!" when it never happened)
• ✅ Spam/fake reviews (from competitors or bots)
• ✅ Offensive content (hate speech, personal attacks)
• ✅ Conflict of interest (e.g., an employee reviewing their own business)

Note: Google won't remove reviews just for being negative ("Food was awful" is allowed).

How to Remove a Bad Google Review (Step-by-Step)

What If Google Won't Remove the Review?

Bury it with positivity:

1. Encourage happy customers to leave reviews (e.g., SMS follow-ups).
2. Reply professionally to the bad review (e.g., "We're sorry you had this experience—please email us at help@business.com so we can fix it.").

   This shows potential customers you care.

3. Use ReviewBot to auto-respond to new reviews instantly, preventing future damage.

How to Prevent Bad Reviews

1. Automate responses with ReviewBot → AI drafts polite, brand-aligned replies before customers get angry.
2. Fix issues offline when complaints arise (e.g., refunds, apologies).
3. Monitor reviews daily—Google rewards fast responders with better rankings.