Google Maps is cracking down on fake reviews

Google Maps is reeling in business pages engaging in fake reviews, and highlighting such activity to its users. Google will now impose restrictions against business profiles that violate the search giant’s Fake Engagement policy, such as temporarily removing reviews, blocking new reviews or ratings, and displaying a warning message on profiles that have had fake reviews deleted.

Google’s prohibited and restricted content policy says that contributions to Maps “should reflect a genuine experience at a place or business.” Business pages are not permitted to display content that doesn’t “accurately represent the location or product in question,” or has been incentivized by giving reviewers payment, discounts, or freebies. Google Maps will also look for reviews that attempt to manipulate ratings by posting from multiple accounts, or utilize emulators, modified operating systems, or other methods that “mimic genuine engagement.”

It’s unclear how Google will accurately determine which reviews violate these rules, but the threat of being publicly shamed may be enough to deter some businesses from trying to artificially inflate their ratings. The warning message can also help users avoid visiting places Google deems untrustworthy, instead of suspicious reviews simply vanishing without explanation.