The world of online business management is never short on challenges, but one problem has recently grown into a serious crisis for local business owners: Google Business Profile (GBP) scams. These scams target businesses by abusing Google’s review system, leaving fake one-star reviews, and then extorting owners for payment to have them removed.
How the Scam Works
The scam is alarmingly simple. Fraudsters create fake Google accounts and bombard businesses with negative reviews—often dozens at a time. These reviews typically contain little more than generic criticism, but their impact is significant. With lowered ratings, businesses risk losing credibility and potential customers.
The scheme doesn’t stop at reputational damage. Scammers then contact the business owner, offering to “fix” the problem for a fee. In essence, it’s online blackmail.
On the r/GoogleMyBusiness subreddit, this issue dominates conversations. Business owners warn one another not to post their company names publicly, as scammers actively monitor the forum looking for targets. The top pinned advice in the community is simply: “Do not mention your business name here.”
Google’s Limited Response
Unfortunately, reports suggest that Google has not done enough to curb this wave of extortion. Flagging fake reviews within GBP’s dashboard offers only a slim chance of removal. Even when flagged as spam or fake, reviews often remain live for weeks or indefinitely.
The other official recourse is Google’s legal removal request form, where users can select “Google Maps” and attempt to make their case. Success rates for this method remain unclear, but it offers more hope than flagging alone.
What Business Owners Can Do
- Flag and Report – Always start by flagging suspicious reviews as spam or fake.
- Use the Legal Removal Form – Escalate cases through Google’s removal process.
- Strengthen Genuine Reviews – Encourage happy customers to leave authentic reviews. Diluting fake reviews with real ones is still one of the most effective defenses.
- Avoid Paying Scammers – While some owners report that paying extortionists works, it only fuels the cycle and may invite more attacks.
Why This Matters
Online reviews are often the first impression potential customers get of a business. A sudden flood of negative reviews can devastate reputation and revenue. Without stronger intervention from Google, small businesses are left vulnerable.
Until systemic change comes, businesses must stay vigilant, document scams, and proactively build a base of genuine reviews to counter fraudulent ones.
Recommendation: Business owners should monitor their GBP reviews closely and act swiftly when fake reviews appear.
Next step: Use Google’s legal removal request form for fake reviews and build a strategy to consistently collect authentic customer feedback.
