How to Dispute Google Reviews in 2025 (and Actually Win)

Imagine this: You wake up, grab your morning coffee, and check your Google Business Profile—only to find a 1-star review from someone you’ve never even served.

Or maybe it’s a raging complaint from a customer who left out key details (like the fact that they refused to pay or didn’t follow your terms).

And just like that, your near-perfect rating has taken a hit, all because of something unfair.

We’ve all been there. Fake, misleading, or unfair reviews aren’t just frustrating—they can cost you customers, revenue, and even your sanity.

The good news? You CAN fight back.

The bad news? Most business owners go about it the wrong way.

Let’s break down the right way to dispute Google reviews in 2025—what works, what doesn’t, and the biggest mistakes to avoid.

Oh, and before we dive in—you may have noticed it’s been a while since our last newsletter.

That’s because we’ve been busy with some exciting updates: BitBlaze Reviews has officially rebranded, and our review management platform is now Revuz.co! 🚀 If you’re looking for a smarter way to manage, automate, and optimise your online reputation, you can check it out here: https://revuz.co.

Now, let’s get into it.

First: Can You Even Get a Google Review Removed?

Google won’t remove a review just because you don’t like it. It has to violate one of Google’s review policies.

Here’s what qualifies for removal in 2025:

✅ Fake or Spam Reviews – Left by bots, competitors, or accounts with no real activity.

✅ Hate Speech or Harassment – If a review contains offensive language, threats, or discrimination.

✅ Off-Topic Reviews – If someone leaves a review about an experience unrelated to your business (e.g., “I hate this company’s CEO’s tweets”… yeah, that happens).

✅ Personal Information – If a reviewer posts someone’s full name, phone number, or any sensitive details.

✅ Incentivised or Paid Reviews – If a review was clearly exchanged for money, discounts, or rewards.

If the review doesn’t fall under these categories? It’s staying.

How to Dispute a Google Review (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you’ve got a legitimately disputable review, here’s how to take action:

Step 1: Flag It Inside Your Google Business Profile

1️⃣ Log into your Google Business Profile

2️⃣ Find the review in question

3️⃣ Click the three dots next to it

4️⃣ Select “Report review”

🚨 Pro Tip: If the review is clearly fake or violates Google’s policies, this might be all it takes. But don’t stop here—Google doesn’t act quickly, so you need to escalate.        

Step 2: Escalate It to Google Support (The Right Way)

If the review doesn’t get removed after flagging, contact Google Business Profile Support. Here’s how to make your case stronger:

✅ Be Specific – Cite which policy the review violates. Don’t just say, “This is unfair.” Instead, say:

❌ “This review is fake.”

✅ “This review is from someone we’ve never served. It violates Google’s fake review policy.”

✅ Provide Evidence – Screenshots of customer interactions, security footage (if applicable), or proof the reviewer never used your services.

✅ Be Polite but Persistent – Google doesn’t owe you a review removal. But if you make a clear case and follow up, your chances improve.

🚨 Pro Tip: You can also tweet @GoogleMyBiz for faster responses.        

What If Google Won’t Remove the Review?

Even if Google rejects your dispute, you still have options.

1. Respond (Strategically, Not Emotionally)

📌 Bad Response:

❌ “This is a fake review! Google should remove this!”

📌 Good Response:

✅ “We take customer feedback seriously, but we have no record of serving this individual. We’d love the opportunity to resolve any confusion—please reach out so we can help.”

Why this works: It signals to future customers that you’re professional and reasonable. Fake reviewers usually won’t respond, which makes it obvious that the review is nonsense.

2. Drown It in Positivity

If one bad review feels like a black mark, the best way to bury it is with more great reviews.

🚀 Businesses that actively request reviews see a 200% faster recovery from negative ratings.

💡 Pro Tip: Automate your review requests so you’re constantly getting fresh, positive feedback. This makes any bad review look like an outlier.        

If you need a better strategy for collecting and managing reviews, check this out: https://revuz.co/free-reputation-audit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Disputing Reviews

🚫 Mistake #1: Ignoring It – A bad review left unanswered makes it look credible.

🚫 Mistake #2: Responding Aggressively – Calling out a reviewer (even if they’re wrong) makes YOU look unprofessional.

🚫 Mistake #3: Trying to “Bribe” Google – Offering incentives for positive reviews or trying to delete all negative reviews can get you penalised.

🚫 Mistake #4: Not Encouraging More Positive Reviews – A steady stream of real reviews makes one bad one irrelevant.

Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Reviews

Unfair or fake reviews don’t have to define your business—but ignoring them won’t fix the problem.

The best way to protect your reputation is to:

✅ Dispute what’s removable

✅ Respond strategically to what isn’t

✅ Focus on collecting more great reviews

If you want to audit your review strategy and ensure bad reviews don’t hold you back, grab a Free Reputation Audit here: https://revuz.co/free-reputation-audit.

You’ll get a detailed breakdown of your current reputation management strategy, plus tailored steps to improve your ratings and visibility.

P.S. – A Little-Known Trick to Spot Fake Reviews Faster

Here’s a sneaky way to spot fake reviews before they harm your reputation:

✅ Look at the reviewer’s profile. Do they have multiple reviews? If they only reviewed one business (yours), it’s likely fake.

✅ Check their language. Many fake reviews use generic phrasing like “Worst experience ever” or “Amazing company!!!” without specifics.

✅ Look at the review timing. If several bad reviews come in all at once, it’s often a spam attack from a competitor.

Stay sharp, and don’t let the fakes win.

Tomas

Founder of Revuz.co

hello@revuz.co

02382 720700

Reviews Made Easy, Results Made Real