How to Dispute a Google Review That’s Hurting Your Business

In this article, you’ll learn how to dispute a Google review and improve your digital presence.

Think of Google reviews as an online extension of word-of-mouth advertising — these reviews are accessed by countless people each day. And if your business has ever received a negative review, chances are you were devastated.

Like most businesses, your livelihood depends on maintaining a strong customer base that’s loyal to your brand and regularly recommends it to friends. When someone leaves a negative review for whatever reason, it can be difficult to remain professional and calm — your livelihood could be at stake, after all.

Fortunately, you can dispute Google reviews. If a review is defamatory, for example, you have the right to ask that Google remove it from its search results. As long as the review violates Google’s policies, there’s a very good chance it’ll be removed from the platform.

In fact, under these conditions, not only will Google likely comply with your request, but they may also alert the reviewer that their comments are being taken down.

If the review doesn’t meet certain criteria that violate Google’s policies, though (and more often than not, they don’t), you can still ask Google to take it down. If your request is denied, you can appeal the decision by following Google’s official procedure.

Today, we’re going over how to report a Google review that is hurting your business.

NetReputation provides information and services to help you protect your digital presence. Call us at 844-461-3632 to learn more about how to manage reviews, or fill out the contact form below for a free consultation.

How Important Is It To Manage Reviews?

Online reviews are incredibly important for business owners.

Trustpilot found that over 93% of online shoppers read reviews before making an online purchase. And on top of that, reviews matter more to customers than pricing and discounts. Customers will actually pay more for the same item from a company with good reviews rather than buy from one with no reviews.

Reviews are especially important for local businesses. According to BrightLocal, 91% of consumers say their overall perception of big brands is impacted by reviews of local branches.

Because they’re so relied on by customers, negative reviews can do serious damage to your brand and erode the trust you’ve established with your customers. While one negative review may not damage your company’s prospects, it still represents an immediate threat.

Also remember that when you ask customers for feedback, it’s important that they feel heard and that their concerns are addressed promptly. This is where review management comes in, as simply trying to collect positive feedback isn’t enough.

You can take control of your online reputation. Call us at 844-461-3632 for more information.

How To Report a Google Review Using Google Business Profile

In this section, we’ll walk you through the process of reporting a Google review via Google Business Profile.

Step 1: Go to your Google Business Profile

To get started, log in to Google and navigate to your Google Business Profile.

Step 2: Find the review you want to report

Select Read Reviews to look through the reviews people have left. Find the review that you want to report.

Step 3: Report the review

Next to the review, select Report. Then, choose the reason for flagging the review, such as “Profanity” or “Spam.” When you’re finished, click Send Report to send the information to Google’s support team.

How To Report a Google Review Using the Reviews Management Tool

In this section, you’ll learn how to report inappropriate reviews by using Google’s dedicated tool.

Step 1: Access the review management tool

Your first step is to navigate to the Google review management tool.

Step 2: Confirm your business information

If the email address that’s shown is the same one that’s associated with your Business Profile, click Confirm. You can also select Switch Account if you need to select a different email address. Next, select your business.

Step 3: Report the review

Hit Continue, then select Report a New Review for Removal, and then select Continue again. Find the review you want to dispute and click Report next to it. Then, choose the reason why you’re flagging the review. When you’re done, click Submit.

4 Things to Know About Google Review Removal

1. While you can report any review you want, only the ones that actually violate Google policies are able to be removed.
2. Google suggests that businesses not report reviews simply because they may include negative content. Instead, Google suggests that business owners take bad reviews seriously, as they can highlight key areas for improvement.
3. Evaluating a reported review can take several days. You’re able to check the status of the report using the Reviews Management Tool.
4. When Google removes a review, it will no longer appear in Maps or Search.

How To Reply to Customers Who Leave Negative Online Reviews

When you receive negative feedback from customers, your first instinct may be to respond in anger or defend yourself. However, you must resist this impulse and remain calm.

If you find that a customer has been particularly unhappy with your product or service, it’s best to respond by thanking them for their feedback and letting them know about the steps you have taken to make sure things will improve in the future. Customers appreciate companies that are open to criticism and work hard to fix any issues they may have. It also gives the impression that you are willing to do whatever it takes to make things right for your customers.

You can also always invite an unhappy customer to come back and give your business another try so they can experience the changes you have made. There’s nothing wrong with enticing a dissatisfied customer with this type of offer, especially if they claim that they will never return to your business.

It may not always be possible for you to give a refund to a customer. However, it could help to offer a discount on their next purchase from you. This is an excellent way to try and win back a customer and show that you care about their patronage.

Final Thoughts About Managing Your Google Business Profile Reviews

Online reviews can make or break a business. If you’re met with one that’s less than positive, it’s important to handle the situation with maturity and resolve. Taking control of the digital narrative can protect your reputation and your prospects for business growth.

If you feel that your business is suffering due to poor online reviews, hiring a reputable reputation management expert can help you resolve the problem.

We offer ORM solutions for individuals as well as businesses. Get started today with a free consultation with one of our experts. Call us at 844-461-3632 or fill out the contact form below.