Why Google Reviews Are Disappearing in 2025 — And What It Means for Small Business

What This Means for Small Businesses

• Reviews are no longer permanent
  Even legitimate reviews — including 5-star ones — can disappear months or years later without warning.

• Your star rating can change overnight
  Deleted reviews can lower your average rating and impact calls, bookings, and walk-in traffic.

• Google is stricter with “positive” reviews
  Incentivized, templated, or overly similar praise is now more likely to be flagged and removed.

• Some industries are watched more closely
  Restaurants, home services, retail, construction, and medical services face higher review scrutiny.

• New reviews matter more than ever
  Recent, detailed, authentic reviews carry more weight — and help offset future deletions.

• Old reviews are not safe
  Google is retroactively removing reviews as its AI detection systems improve.

• Location affects enforcement
  Review removal patterns differ by country due to local laws and regulations.

• SEO and conversions are directly impacted
  Reviews influence map rankings, click-through rates, and customer trust.

• Review monitoring is now essential
  Tracking what gets removed is just as important as collecting new reviews.

• Shortcuts now backfire
  Review gating, incentives, or scripted asks increase deletion risk.

A comprehensive analysis of 60,000 Google Business Profiles reveals a massive surge in review deletions driven by advanced AI moderation and shifting regulatory landscapes.

Key Insights

• The 5-Star Strike: Automated systems are increasingly flagging positive reviews for "incentivization" or "suspicious activity," even years after they were posted.

• Industry Variance: Restaurants and retail face the highest volume of deletions, while medical and home services face the most intense scrutiny on high-rated feedback.

• Retroactive Enforcement: Google is now purging reviews that are 2+ years old as detection algorithms evolve, meaning historical reputation is no longer "safe."

• Local SEO Impact: Deletions are distorting star ratings and performance benchmarks, making review monitoring a mandatory part of local search strategy.

Bottom Line for Business Owners

Focus on real customer experiences, steady review velocity, and visibility monitoring — not shortcuts.
In 2025, review quality, authenticity, and consistency matter more than volume.

https://searchengineland.com/google-deleting-reviews-record-levels-466546