The "fake reviews removed" warning, and review gating

Google treats fake and incentivised reviews as a policy violation for the business, not just for the reviewer. The warning is one of the restrictions it can apply, and it can be appealed.

Not sure which rule you broke?

Start with the free suspension risk checker: answer 13 quick questions and get a risk score plus the Google rule and fix guide behind each point. Nothing is sent to us.

Or let a person do it: ProfileRescue checks your listing and website against each guideline, ranks the likely causes for your case and writes the appeal text plus an evidence checklist, in English and Spanish, as a PDF for €29 (launch price, €49 from 1 Dec 2026). We cannot reinstate profiles or remove reviews, and we say so plainly.

Free risk check Get the appeal pack · €29 Sample PDF

Reviews still coming in, but many are 1–2★? Get 20 ready replies to your latest bad Google reviews (€9), written calmly, in the reviewer's language.

What the warning is

Google says that when a business owner violates its Fake Engagement policy, it may restrict the profile "in addition to removing the violative reviews". One example Google gives: the profile "will display a warning to let consumers know that fake reviews were removed". Others: no new reviews for a set period, or existing reviews unpublished for a set period. Google says it will notify owners by email if it plans to apply a restriction (Business Profile restrictions for policy violations).

What counts as fake engagement

From Google's contribution policy, a business must not:

Google says businesses may ask for reviews that reflect a genuine experience, as long as they don't offer incentives or try to influence the rating or content.

What to do

  1. Read Google's email about the restriction and note the date.
  2. Stop every practice on the list above: remove gated review links, staff reviews and review-for-discount offers, and tell any agency to stop.
  3. Switch to one review link sent to every customer, with no filter.
  4. If you believe Google got it wrong, appeal from Google's restrictions page. Google says it will re-review the profile and any context you give.
  5. Keep replying to real reviews, calmly. It is the part of your profile you still control.

FAQ

Can I ask happy customers for a Google review?

You can ask customers for genuine reviews, but Google doesn't allow selectively soliciting positive reviews. Ask everyone the same way.

Is a "rate us first" survey that only sends 5-star customers to Google allowed?

No. Google's policy forbids discouraging negative reviews or selectively soliciting positive ones, which is what that funnel does.

How long does the warning stay?

Google says restrictions apply for a set period, without publishing a fixed length. You can appeal if you think it is wrong.

Sources

Read on 24 Oct 2026. Google changes these pages; if something here disagrees with Google's current text, Google wins. Revunda is not affiliated with Google.

All ProfileRescue fix guides

Free tool: Free risk checker

Suspended: by cause: Suspended: the full guide · Keywords in the name · Address problems · Virtual office · Service-area business · Duplicate listings · Suspended after an edit · What to write in the appeal

Other profile problems: Appeal rejected · Reviews disappeared · Video verification failed · Not showing on Maps · Disabled vs suspended · Verification pending · Not eligible · Owner access lost · Reviews restricted · Google changed my info · Edit not approved · Account restricted · Moved location

Suspended: by trade: Locksmith · Garage door company · Plumber · HVAC company · Electrician · Moving company · Water damage restoration company · Pest control company · Roofing company · Law firm or lawyer

All guides on one page

🌐 English