))
Mini: What to Do If You’re Hit with Fake Google Reviews
Manage episode 516204058 series 3689467
Content provided by Bear Double | Wildflower Social Media. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Bear Double | Wildflower Social Media or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
Getting “Google-bombed” with sudden, illegitimate 1-star reviews? In this quick mini episode, Mike and Liz walk through what to do right away, how to reply when a review is real (but negative), and how to rebound with a steady, ethical review flow that restores trust.
You’ll learn
- Why fake review spikes happen—and why they’re so damaging to small businesses.
- The fast triage: how to flag/report illegitimate reviews inside Google Business Profile.
- Responding to legitimate negatives: professional, calm, and clarifying (no arguments).
- How to recover momentum: a simple, ongoing process to source more real reviews.
- Relevancy tips that help good reviews rise: use plain-language keywords and, when appropriate, photos.
Quick steps you can do today
- Report obvious fakes from your GBP dashboard (flag, explain how it violates guidelines).
- Reply to any real negative review with empathy, facts, and next steps.
- Activate a review routine: ask recent happy customers, make it easy, never incentivize.
- Coach lightly: suggest they mention what you did and the result; photos help relevancy.
Key takeaway
Don’t panic. Flag the fakes, handle real feedback with grace, and outpace the noise with a steady stream of honest reviews.
10 episodes
Share
