Reviewer Says He Is/Was An Employee - Flagged But Not Removed Yet

[Nikki Stine]

I have a client who received a defamatory review by an ex-employee. It is a very clear violation because the reviewer SAYS he is/was an employee. (he posted this review under his own name after being fired by the company) I flagged the review on 11/17/21.

When I check the status, it still shows 'decision pending'. I know Google is 'working with a limited support team', but my client is obviously concerned about this review. I also inquired about it in the GBP Community, but haven't gotten a reply yet. Is there anything else to try at this point? Just reading the text of the review will show it is a violation.

Here is a link to my community thread: https://support.google.com/business...s-employee-still-shows-decision-pending?hl=en

Thank you!

 

[Phil Rozek]

@Nikki Stine, the chances are decent that Google will remove it...after a while. In the meantime, getting more people to pile on may help. Multiple flags seem to get Google's attention.

 

[Nikki Stine]

@Nikki Stine, the chances are decent that Google will remove it...after a while. In the meantime, getting more people to pile on may help. Multiple flags seem to get Google's attention.

Thank you. I started to think that too, and had already started getting more people to flag the review. Hopefully it helps. Appreciate your opinion on this!

 

[Phil Rozek]

My pleasure, Nikki. By the way, I can flag the review if you want to DM me the link.

 

[Nikki Stine]

Awesome! Thank you @Phil Rozek. Just sent it.

 

[Nikki Stine]

In the meantime, getting more people to pile on may help. Multiple flags seem to get Google's attention.

@Phil Rozek We had a lot of people flag it, and the review was removed yesterday. Excellent! That you for your contribution to that effort also.

 

[Phil Rozek]

That's great to hear, @Nikki Stine. Yeah, even though with that cover fire Google often won't remove a review, without it Google is much less likely to give it a second look.

 

[JamesGreenaway]

Hi @Phil Rozek

I am having a similar issue 8 negative reviews left with 24hrs for our clients Mercedes Car dealership. One of them was a disgruntled customer who said he would get his friends and family, which is obviously what has happened. I flagged the reviews using the review removal tool but they have been in "pending review
2 status for 3-4 weeks now and we've heard nothing.
Is there anything we can do to escalate this?
Thanks in advance

James

 

[Phil Rozek]

@JamesGreenaway, beyond what you're doing and maybe having others jump on the pigpile, not really. There is this new-ish feature from Google that may help, though: Manage your reviews - Google Business Profile Help

There is a good chance that in time some of the reviews will be filtered, without your needing to do anything in the meantime. But it's the meantime that's painful, of course.

 

[JamesGreenaway]

ok thanks Phil, we already filled out the form here at the beginning of the process a few weeks ago Manage your reviews - Google Business Profile Help
This is what is in "pending review" for a 3-4 weeks now.
We've flagged using different Google accounts so will see what happens.
Thank you

 

[Phil Rozek]

Sure thing, @JamesGreenaway. If you want to send me the link(s) I can flag the reviews with flies buzzing around.

 

[JamesGreenaway]

Thanks @Phil Rozek , i rellay appreciate that.

All links to reviews are below

Google review of Mercedes-Benz of Poole by djwolky23

Google review of Mercedes-Benz of Poole by Güman ARDAL

Google review of Mercedes-Benz of Poole by Emry Yazici

Google review of Mercedes-Benz of Poole by Adnan Acar

Google review of Mercedes-Benz of Poole by Sercan ürel

Google review of Mercedes-Benz of Poole by duygu duman


Google review of Mercedes-Benz of Poole by Gulcin Ardal

Google review of Mercedes-Benz of Poole by DİDEM ARDAL

Best Regards,

James

 

[Phil Rozek]

I see what you mean, @JamesGreenaway. Those reviews stink to the heavens. Just flagged them.

 

[JamesGreenaway]

I see what you mean, @JamesGreenaway. Those reviews stink to the heavens. Just flagged them.

Thanks Phil, blatantly obvious they are fake. Fingers crossed!

 

[JamesGreenaway]

Hi Phil,

I hope this message finds you well.

Unfortunately we still have got nowhere with Google removing these reviews.
Mike Blumenthal kindly helped out and directly raised with the GBP team at Google but we have heard nothing. Here is the post on the GBP community.

Multiple negative reviews left - Google Business Profile Community

I was wondering if maybe you or Joy Hawkins might be able to help out.

Best Regards,

James

 

[keyserholiday]

Hi Phil,

I hope this message finds you well.

Unfortunately we still have got nowhere with Google removing these reviews.
Mike Blumenthal kindly helped out and directly raised with the GBP team at Google but we have heard nothing. Here is the post on the GBP community.

Multiple negative reviews left - Google Business Profile Community

I was wondering if maybe you or Joy Hawkins might be able to help out.

Best Regards,

James

There has been an update to the forum rules about using this forum to request for help with the Google Help Forum. Google has denied the request to remove the reviews, nobody will be able to get you any different results.

 

[Phil Rozek]

@JamesGreenaway, what @keyserholiday said. Nobody has a magic touch on review removal, and Google always gets the final say. The results are disappointing far more often than not.