Member Avatar for venkatweetz

One of my competitor is writing negative reviews often.

  • He is not a real customer.
  • He don't have any queries or complaints to resolve.
  • He is writing spoiler reviews from different fake accounts.

I have flagged those reviews as inappropriate and submitted to google. But no response.
Please advice how to handle it."

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  • 6 Replies
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  • 3 Months Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by kavi_3

Dani AI

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Flagging is the right first move — as suggested, use your Business Profile or Google Maps (Business Profile > Read reviews > Report/flag the review and choose the reason). Google typically reviews flags over several days and you can track the status in the Reviews Management Tool, so don’t assume immediate removal. ()

Keep careful records before and after you flag: full screenshots, the review URL, reviewer profile link(s), dates/times and any patterns showing multiple fake accounts. If a simple flag doesn’t work, use the Reviews Management Tool to submit a one‑time appeal and include the facts; for repeated abuse you can also report the user profile itself. If the content crosses into defamation, privacy or other legal harms, Google’s legal request forms are the escalation path. ()

Reply publicly but professionally — as recommended — and keep the tone calm, short and solution‑focused: acknowledge, offer a contact channel, and invite offline resolution. Well-written replies can persuade a reviewer to update or delete their post and show other readers you handle problems responsibly. Avoid naming or attacking the reviewer or posting private data. ()

Prevent future attacks: don’t engage in fake reviews or incentives (Google forbids “fake engagement” and incentivized reviews) — that will backfire. Instead, generate legitimate reviews (share your official review link or QR code) and monitor activity so you notice review spikes quickly. If a competitor runs an organized attack that Google won’t remove, document everything and consider legal counsel while continuing to escalate via Google support and the legal removal options. ()

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All 6 Replies

Member Avatar for rproffitt

Tell more. We all know SEO is hit or miss so if they used your SEO and it didn't pay off, why not be upfront about your products? It would be refreshing to read a SEO that told the truth rather than "sell it, sell it hard."

Member Avatar for Tomsy_1

I'm afraid you need to wait a bit longer for Google to react lol, but if you are right they prob delete those reviews.

Member Avatar for sandy_5

Untill Google responds to your proposal, you can better do one thing,you can give reply to that fake review telling that all your story is non sense. So that the other customers will be in s positive attitude.

Member Avatar for sandy_5

@venkat
does your issue got resolved?

Edited by sandy_5
Member Avatar for sfts

To handle the spoiler review on google local listing we must

  1. Evaluate the situation
  2. Respond quickly
  3. Rectify the situation
  4. Stay on top of the google review
Member Avatar for kavi_3

First we have to evaluate the review. If not a real customer post the negative review. Flag icon is appear there you have to click the flag icon & report.

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