Google is emailing some Business Profile owners when it detects a spike in spam reviews, according to a September 22 report by Barry Schwartz at Search Engine Roundtable. The message says Google has removed the reviews and temporarily paused new ratings, reviews and other user contributions on the affected profile.
The email says Google expects the pause to last a few days while it addresses the risk. It tells owners that no action is required, but they can request a review if legitimate feedback was removed. Schwartz’s report includes a screenshot of the email shared by local SEO professional Antoine Cameron. Google has not separately announced the email rollout.
The review pause was announced in April
Google’s April 16 Maps announcement described the same sequence: remove a sudden spike of spam reviews, pause new reviews on the profile, alert the owner and show consumers a banner explaining why contributions are temporarily paused. Google said the protections would roll out globally in the coming weeks.
Google’s current help page on missing reviews also says it may temporarily disable user-created content, including reviews, on certain profiles or categories to protect business owners. Its review reporting guidance acknowledges that automated spam detection can mistakenly remove legitimate reviews and directs owners to contact support. Businesses can also use the Reviews Management Tool to appeal eligible removal decisions.
The September email shows owners are receiving the alert Google described, rather than announcing a new September feature. It also says the interruption should be temporary. Google’s published material and the reported email give no count of affected profiles or rate of mistaken removals. The consumer banner matters because a pause can otherwise look like a broken review link or a business that has stopped accepting feedback.
Source: SER
Start the conversation by posting the first comment