New reviews blocked or reviews turned off
There are two different things behind "reviews are blocked": a restriction on your profile for fake engagement, or a posting restriction Google applies to a place or category. They have different fixes.
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1. A restriction on your profile
For businesses that violate its Fake Engagement policy, Google says the profile may be unable to receive new reviews or ratings "for set period of time", or have existing reviews unpublished for a set period. Google emails the owner before applying one, and owners can appeal (Business Profile restrictions for policy violations). See the fake reviews warning for what triggers it.
2. A posting restriction on the place
Google describes posting restrictions it applies for reasons that aren't the owner's fault (Maps posting restrictions):
- Short-term: posting may be turned off for a short time to protect a place from a spike of off-topic or offensive content, for example during a news event. Google says it lifts these when the risk subsides.
- Long-term: for categories or areas with a continuous pattern of low-value or off-topic posts. Google's examples include police stations, prisons and schools.
Google's missing reviews page adds that it may "temporarily disable user-created content, including reviews, for certain Business Profiles or business categories", and that reviews were removed and disabled for profiles primarily categorised as schools for students aged 6 to 18. If that category doesn't describe your business, Google suggests changing it.
3. Not a restriction at all
- New reviews can take a few days to appear while they are checked.
- Customers on older phones or app versions may have trouble posting. Google suggests updating Maps.
- A suspended or disabled profile can't take new content until it is reinstated (Business Profile policies).
What to do
- Search your inbox for a Google email about a restriction.
- If there is one, fix the cause and appeal it.
- If not, check your primary category, then wait out a short-term restriction.
FAQ
Why can't customers leave a review on my Google profile?
Google describes three cases: a fake-engagement restriction on your profile, a posting restriction on the place or category, or a delay while reviews are checked.
Can I appeal a review restriction?
Yes, for restrictions applied to your profile for fake engagement. Google says it will re-review the profile and share the outcome.
Will Google tell me before restricting reviews?
Google says it will notify business owners by email if it plans to apply a restriction to their profile.
Sources
- Google, Business Profile restrictions for policy violations
- Google, Maps posting restrictions
- Google, Fix missing reviews
- Google, Business Profile restrictions and policies (account, eligibility, ownership, posting)
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
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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 · Fake reviews warning · 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