Can you remove a Google review?

What Google removes and what it doesn't, how to report a review that breaks the rules, and how to appeal.

Short answer: you can't remove a genuine review, even a negative one. You can report a review that breaks Google's content policies, and Google decides. Google's own help says not to report a review just because you disagree with it or dislike it.

Google can remove

Spam and fake engagement
Profanity, harassment or hate speech
Off-topic content
Personal information

Google won't remove

A genuine negative review
A review you simply disagree with

Report a review from your profile

1
Open your Business Profile.
2
Select Read reviews.
3
Next to the review, select the Report icon.
4
Choose the reason, for example spam or profanity.
5
Select Send report.

Reporting a review that breaks the rules · Simplified illustration

Or use the Reviews Management Tool

1
Open Google's Reviews Management Tool (linked from the help page below) and sign in with the account that manages the profile.
2
Choose your business and select Continue.
3
Select Report a new review for removal, choose the reason, and Submit.

A decision usually takes several days. The tool shows the status: Decision pending, Report reviewed - no policy violation, or Escalated - check your email for updates. If the review stays up, you can appeal once from the same tool.

While you wait

Reply calmly. A polite, factual reply often helps readers more than the review hurts. Here's how to respond to a negative review.