Do you need a Google account to leave a review?

[drongo]

I'm pretty sure the answer is YES but are there any ways around this?

Also, is there any information on what proportion of users (especially in the UK) actually have a Google account? Is there a resource online which gives this info?

Many thanks folks!!!

 

[djbaxter]

I'm very interested in seeing other replies to this question.

As far as I can tell, you can't leave a Google Review without logging into a Google account.

Rather egocentric of Google to assume that everyone who wants to review your business will have a Google account - or that they want to take the time to log in even if they do have one. I wonder how many potential reviews are lost because of this, especially for non-Android mobile users.

 

[fr33lanc3r]

You need to have a Google account (not necessarily a Gmail account. You can sign up for Google services with any email address). Youtube, Google Drive, any Google service...

Can customers without gmail accounts leave reviews? - Google Business Profile Community

 

[Greg Schueler]

They changed the requirement last year (not sure exactly when), so you do need a Google account now.

I think that is a good thing though. We see how many "fake" reviews there are now with accounts, imagine spammers and competitors being able to leave unlimited bad reviews with no account/identity needed.

 

[fr33lanc3r]

I agree, not a bad thing. I get it from the business owner's perspective of making it more complicated for the customer. If you are using Google's service, creating an account is not an unreasonable requirement.

 

[pony]

Rather egocentric of Google to assume that everyone who wants to review your business will have a Google account - or that they want to take the time to log in even if they do have one. I wonder how many potential reviews are lost because of this, especially for non-Android mobile users.

I think they care more about getting your person data when you sign up for the account and the ability to track you across other Google products than they do getting a review on their platform for a local business they don't own but they aren't evil right?

 

[djbaxter]

They changed the requirement last year (not sure exactly when), so you do need a Google account now.

I think that is a good thing though. We see how many "fake" reviews there are now with accounts, imagine spammers and competitors being able to leave unlimited bad reviews with no account/identity needed.

Someone determined to leave a fake review won't be deterred by having to create a Google account.