Your Google reviews disappeared
Missing reviews usually have one of a few causes that Google itself describes. Some resolve on their own. Reviews removed for a policy violation don't come back.
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.
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Reasons Google gives
- Delay: new reviews can take time to appear while they are checked (Fix missing reviews).
- Policy removal: reviews that break Google's policies are removed and, according to Google, are not restored.
- Profile changes: merges of duplicate profiles and similar changes can affect which reviews show.
- Reviews temporarily turned off: Google says it may temporarily disable reviews on some profiles.
- A restriction: if Google finds fake engagement, it can block new reviews for a set period, unpublish existing ones for a set period, or show a warning that fake reviews were removed. Google says it emails the owner before applying a restriction, and that owners can appeal it (Business Profile restrictions for policy violations).
What counts as fake engagement
Google's contribution policy lists, among others: paying for or incentivising reviews (discounts, gifts), reviews from owners, staff or competitors (conflict of interest), using several accounts, asking only happy customers for reviews, and unusual volumes or patterns of reviews.
What to do
- Check your email for a restriction notice from Google.
- If it is a restriction and you think it is wrong, appeal it from Google's restrictions page.
- If reviews disappeared after a reinstatement, Google says to contact support.
- Stop anything on the fake-engagement list: no discounts for reviews, ask every customer, not only happy ones.
- Keep replying to the reviews you have. Google lists responding to reviews among its tips for a stronger profile (local ranking tips).
FAQ
Can Google restore deleted reviews?
Google says reviews removed for policy violations are not restored. Reviews held back by a delay or a temporary restriction can come back.
I offered a 10% discount for a review. Is that a problem?
Yes. Google's policy lists incentivised reviews, including discounts and gifts, as fake engagement.
Can I ask only happy customers to review?
No. Google does not allow selectively asking for positive reviews.
Sources
- Google, Fix missing reviews
- Google, Business Profile restrictions for policy violations
- Google, Maps user contributed content policy: prohibited and restricted content
- Google, Tips to improve your local ranking on Google
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 · Video verification failed · Not showing on Maps · Disabled vs suspended · Verification pending · Not eligible · Owner access lost · Fake reviews warning · 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