If you’ve noticed that recent reviews for your business on Google Search or Google Maps have suddenly vanished, you’re not alone. As reported by Search Engine Land, a widespread bug within Google’s local listings started impacting reviews last Friday, leaving many small businesses frustrated.
Reports of the issue flooded the Google Business Profiles forums, with businesses saying they lost anywhere from a handful to dozens of reviews. While review counts dropped, Google later clarified that the reviews themselves had not been deleted. Instead, a “display bug” was causing incorrect review counts to appear on profiles.
Why This Matters to Small Business Owners
For small businesses, online reviews are more than compliments—they are critical assets. Businesses invest time and resources into collecting reviews because they shape customer trust and improve local SEO rankings. Disappearing reviews can not only confuse potential customers but might also impact revenue and visibility in local searches.
Google’s Response
Victoria Kroll, a Google representative, acknowledged the bug and reassured users that their technical team is working on a fix. She encouraged users to wait for updates rather than reporting the issue unless reviews were removed due to policy violations like spam or inappropriate content. An update since revealed that Google began rolling out a fix on February 12th, gradually restoring accurate review counts.
What’s Next?
If you’re affected by the issue, here’s what to do:
Stay Updated: Monitor official Google forums for updates on review restorations.
Review Policies: Ensure your reviews comply with Google’s policies to prevent accidental removal.
Communicate with Customers: If reviews are still missing, clarify the situation with your customer base to maintain trust.
For small business owners who rely heavily on customer reviews, this incident sheds light on why regular monitoring and maintaining diverse marketing strategies are essential. While Google promises to resolve the issue, always have a backup plan to safeguard your reputation and visibility within your local community.
