Google’s New Review Crackdown: What the “Suspicious High-Rated Reviews” Message Means for Your Business

If you’ve recently checked your Google Business Profile (GBP) and spotted a message stating, “Suspicious high-rated reviews were recently removed from this place,” you’re not alone. This notification, paired with a 30-day ban on new reviews, signals Google’s latest effort to combat fake reviews and ensure trust in its platform. Previously seen in regions like the UK, this feature is now rolling out across North America, catching business owners by surprise.

Here’s everything you need to know about this change, who it affects, and what to do if it hits your profile.

What Is the “Suspicious High-Rated Reviews” Message?

Google has intensified its fight against inauthentic reviews on Google Business Profiles, aiming to maintain the integrity of its Maps and Search platforms. The “Suspicious high-rated reviews were recently removed from this place” message indicates that Google’s automated spam detection system has flagged and removed reviews it deems questionable—typically high-rated (4- or 5-star) reviews that show signs of manipulation, such as being posted in bulk, from suspicious accounts, or lacking specific details. Alongside the removal, the affected profile faces a 30-day ban on receiving new reviews, and the business’s overall rating is updated to reflect the change.
This crackdown isn’t entirely new. Google has been testing this feature in regions like the UK, but its expansion to North America marks a broader push to address the growing issue of fake reviews, which can mislead consumers and harm honest businesses. According to industry reports, Google removed millions of fake reviews last year alone, with a 44% spike from the previous year, highlighting the scale of the problem. (source)

Who Does This Affect?

The “Suspicious high-rated reviews” message can appear on any Google Business Profile that accepts reviews, regardless of the business’s size, industry, or location in North America. From local coffee shops to multi-location brands, no one is immune if Google’s algorithms detect suspicious activity. Common triggers include:

• Bulk Reviews: A sudden influx of 5-star reviews posted in a short time frame, often with vague or repetitive language (e.g., “Great service!” without specifics).
• Suspicious Accounts: Reviews from profiles with little activity, multiple reviews across unrelated businesses, or stolen profile images.
• Paid Reviews: Businesses that have engaged (knowingly or unknowingly) with services offering fake reviews risk triggering Google’s detection system.

This can hit small businesses particularly hard, as their GBP ratings directly influence local search rankings and customer trust. For multi-location brands, suspicious activity at one location could cast doubt on the entire brand’s reputation. With 81% of customers using Google to evaluate local businesses, maintaining a clean review profile is critical. (source)

What Can You Do If You See This Message on Your Profile?

If your Google Business Profile displays the “Suspicious high-rated reviews” message, don’t panic. Google provides steps to address the issue, and there are ways to protect your reputation moving forward. Here’s what you can do, based on guidance from Google’s support documentation:

1. Review Google’s Policies

Understand why reviews might have been flagged. Google removes reviews that violate its policies, such as those deemed spam, irrelevant, or from fake accounts. Familiarize yourself with Google’s content policies to ensure your review practices align with their guidelines. For example, soliciting reviews in exchange for payment or discounts is a violation and could lead to further penalties, including profile suspension.

2. Appeal the Decision

If you believe the removed reviews were legitimate or the ban was applied in error, you can appeal:

• Access Business Profile Manager: Sign in with the email associated with your GBP.
• Locate the Message: Find the “Suspicious high-rated reviews” notification on your profile.
• Submit an Appeal: Use Google’s appeal form (linked in the notification or available through Google’s support page) to request a review of the decision. Provide evidence, such as screenshots of legitimate customer interactions, to support your case.
• Check Status: After submitting, monitor the status in Business Profile Manager. Possible statuses include:
  • Decision pending: The appeal is under review.
  • Report reviewed – no policy violation: The review was evaluated and found compliant, so it may be reinstated.
  • Escalated – check your email for updates: The appeal has been escalated, and you’ll receive an email with the final decision.

Appeals are one-time, so ensure your submission is thorough. If Google mistakenly removed authentic reviews, contacting support promptly can help restore them.

3. Encourage Authentic Reviews

Once the 30-day ban lifts, focus on collecting genuine reviews to rebuild your rating. Use ethical tactics like:

• QR Codes: Create a QR code linking to your GBP review page and display it in-store or on receipts to make it easy for happy customers to leave feedback.
• Respond to Reviews: Reply to all reviews—positive or negative—to show customers you value their input. This can boost engagement and encourage organic reviews.
• Avoid Shady Tactics: Steer clear of services promising to “boost” your reviews. Google’s algorithms are quick to detect manipulation.

4. Monitor Your Profile

Regularly check your GBP for suspicious activity. If you notice a surge in vague or overly positive reviews, flag them yourself to avoid future bans. Encourage your team to report suspicious reviews via the “Flag as inappropriate” option in Business Profile Manager. Multiple flags can help Google’s algorithm identify patterns of spam.

At Websites Made With Love, we offer a neat service that connects your Google Business Profile to a monitoring system. This system alerts us when there are changes made to your profile. This way, you can know about it and fix it immediately.

For example, some profiles have a “suggested edit” section that allows anyone to suggest edits. Sometimes, these suggested edits are automatically applied without the profile owner even knowing. This can be very detrimental for local businesses that rely on local SEO.

I mean, think about it… if you are a plumber in Nanaimo, BC, and someone changes your location to Prince George, is that really going to help you? While we hate to say it, sometimes competitors can practice bad behaviours like this to try and get ahead. While we don’t like it, it can and does happen. Don’t you want to know when/if it does? Contact us, we can help.

Why This Matters

Google’s review system is a double-edged sword. Reviews can boost your local SEO and attract customers, but fake or suspicious ones can tank your reputation and rankings. With 75% of consumers wary of fake reviews, maintaining authenticity is more important than ever.

Google’s new measures, while strict, aim to level the playing field for honest businesses. However, bugs in their system—like the resurfacing of previously removed reviews—can complicate things, so staying proactive is key.

The Bigger Picture

This crackdown reflects a broader push for transparency in online reviews. In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has pressured Google to enhance its detection processes, resulting in warning alerts and review bans for offending businesses.

North America’s adoption of similar measures shows Google’s commitment to global consistency. As a business owner, embracing ethical review practices not only protects your GBP but also builds trust with customers who rely on authentic feedback to make decisions.

Stay Ahead of the Game

Seeing the “Suspicious high-rated reviews” message can feel like a gut punch, but it’s a chance to clean up your review profile and double down on authenticity. By understanding Google’s policies, appealing errors, and fostering genuine customer feedback, you can navigate this challenge and come out stronger. Keep an eye on your GBP, engage with your customers, and let your real reviews shine.

Have you encountered this message on your Google Business Profile? Contact us at Websites Made With Love for expert tips on managing your online reputation!