Why are my Google reviews not showing up?

Google reviews play a significant role in your online reputation, influencing potential customers' decisions. But if your Google reviews aren’t showing up, it can be frustrating and potentially damaging to your business.

Where to find your Google reviews

Knowing exactly where to find your Google reviews is the first step to rule out a case of a Google review not showing up.

Google Search

Simply search for your business name on Google. Your business profile should appear on the right side of the search results. Click "Read reviews" in the dashboard, or click on the number of reviews on the profile.

The links to see your Google reviews 

Google Maps

Open the Google Maps app and select “Business” from the bottom menu. Choose the business you want to check and click “Reviews”. On Google Maps desktop, enter your business name in the search bar. Your Business Profile should appear, showing the reviews directly on the map interface.

Google Business Profile Manager

While Google is phasing it out in favor of Search and Maps, you can still check reviews in the Google Business Profile Manager. Log into your Google Business Profile Manager. From the dashboard, select "Reviews" from the menu on the left. This section provides a comprehensive view of reviews for all locations and allows you to respond directly.

Reasons why your Google reviews are not showing up

So, you’ve checked for the review you suspect isn’t showing up and you still can’t find it. In that case, there could be another reason for your Google review not showing up.

Policy violations

The most common reason for Google removing  reviews is that they violate its policies, including fake reviews or offensive content. For example, the search engine may flag reviews for offensive language, false claims, or sharing personal information.

An alert showing a Google policy violation

A Google review not showing up could have something to do with this list of reasons Google gives for removing reviews: 
 

• Prohibited or restricted content
• Deceptive content & behavior
• Fake engagement
• Imitation
• False information
• Misleading information
• Inappropriate content & behavior
• Harassment
• Hate speech
• Offensive content
• Personal information
• Obscenity & profanity
• Sexually explicit content
• Adult-themed content
• Violence & gore
• Restricted content
• Dangerous content
• Illegal content
• Child safety
• Terrorist content
• Off-topic
• Advertising
• Hard to read or repetitive content
• Defacement & mischief

Business Profile suspension

Google might remove reviews after a profile’s suspension and later reinstatement. Google reviews not showing up for this reason can be frustrating, especially if they were positive.

Technical issues

Sometimes, technical glitches with Google can cause reviews to disappear temporarily. This might include issues with Google’s servers or updates to the Google Maps platform.

Unverified listings

An unverified Google Business Profile will certainly lead to Google reviews not showing up. Once your profile is live, you shouldn’t have any more problems with Google reviews not showing up.

Duplicate listings

Reviews on multiple versions of the same listings might not display. Duplicate listings on Google confuse the search engine, so make sure you’re directing people to the right one and suppressing clones.

Future opening date

Reviews posted on Google Business Profiles with an opening date set in the future will not show up. Even after the business has officially opened, reviews submitted before that date won’t appear.

Profile merge

If you have merged profiles, your reviews should transfer to the active one. But occasionally, you’ll find Google reviews not showing up for a while on either Google Search or Google Maps. Wait a few days to see if this issue resolves itself before taking action.

Older operating systems

Customers using older mobile devices and desktop operating systems might not be able to leave a review. You can usually solve this quickly by asking the customer to update to the latest version.

Poor review-generation practices

Effective review-generation practices ensure a steady stream of genuine, positive reviews. Poor practices, however, can lead to Google reviews not showing up.

Paying for reviews

Offering incentives for reviews violates Google’s policies and can result in their removal. Encourage genuine feedback by providing excellent service instead of offering rewards.

Review gating

Filtering customers to only request reviews from those likely to leave positive feedback is against Google’s guidelines. This practice can lead to the removal of reviews and harm your credibility.

Embedded links

Google forbids links in reviews because they could take users to a spammy or malicious website. If a review includes a URL of any kind, Google will almost certainly remove it.

User account inactive or suspended

Reviews from a user whose account is inactive or suspended are not going to show up. This can happen if the user violates Google's policies or fails to follow the community guidelines.

How to resolve Google reviews not showing up

A Google review not showing up can be detrimental to your online reputation, so do what you can to fix the problem. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to address the issue and get your reviews back.

Check for policy violations

Review Google's policies and ensure none of your reviews violate their guidelines. This includes checking for fake reviews, coarse language, or reviews that contain spammy links. If you find any violations, report them promptly to prevent further removals.

Verify your Google Business Profile

Confirm that your Google Business Profile is active. Look up your business in Search and click the three dots to open the menu in the dashboard. From there, select “Your Business Profiles” and check to see if it says “verified” below it.

A list of verified Google Business Profiles

If you spot an unverified location, click on the result and and follow the steps to verify your listing. You can do this by phone, text, email, postcard, video recording or live video call.

The screen that gives the options for verifying your Google Business Profile

Contact Google Business Profile Help

If all else fails, leverage the expert advice available on the Google Business Profile support page. Post your issue with a Google review not showing up in the forum to see if there’s a quick solution. Users can provide insights into why your reviews are missing and help resolve technical issues or disputes. Documenting your issue and providing as much detail as possible will expedite the process. If no one can help, you can contact Google support directly.

Monitor for technical issues

Occasionally, technical glitches can cause reviews to disappear temporarily. Sometimes it’s a simple case of checking back later to see if the issue has resolved itself. Stay up to date on known issues by checking Google forums, status pages, and social media. These issues don’t usually remain for long, but it’s important to stay informed.

Encourage new reviews

Just one Google review not showing up isn’t the end of the world if you’ve got a steady stream of new reviews coming in. Ask satisfied customers to leave fresh feedback on your profiles to counteract any drop in average rating. By actively seeking new feedback, you can rebuild your review profile and maintain a strong online presence.

How to keep your Google reviews in great health

Maintaining the integrity of your overall online reputation goes a long way towards preventing and ensuring that Google reviews show up. By staying informed about best practices, you can ensure your reviews remain visible and positive.

Review monitoring

Keeping track of all your reviews on Google and other platforms can be challenging. But tools that centralize this data make it easier to monitor and respond to reviews promptly. This approach ensures you never miss a review, allowing you to maintain a consistent engagement strategy.

Semrush Local’s easy way to view Google reviews

Regularly checking for and addressing issues with your reviews can prevent them from disappearing in the future. Consistent monitoring allows you to spot and resolve problems quickly, ensuring your reviews remain intact and visible.

Automated alerts

Automated alerts notify you of new reviews, helping you to respond promptly and manage your online reputation effectively. Fast responses to both positive and negative reviews show customers that you value their feedback.

Customer engagement

Engaging with reviews and addressing concerns promptly can mitigate negative reviews and enhance customer satisfaction.

Replying to customers in Semrush Local’s Review Management

Responding to feedback shows customers that you value their opinions and are committed to improving their experience. This should improve the overall quality of your reviews so there are fewer policy infringements.