If you’ve noticed a sudden drop in reviews on your Google Business Profile (GBP), you’re not alone. Since Friday, February 7, 2025, businesses across various industries have reported disappearing reviews, miscounted totals, and other inconsistencies. While Google has acknowledged the issue, many local businesses are left wondering what’s happening and how to handle it.
What’s Going On?
Bug-Related Review Drops
- Google has confirmed a display bug affecting Google Business Profiles (GBPs), causing review counts to appear lower than they actually are.
- Some businesses report missing dozens of reviews, while others notice inconsistent counts where the total displayed doesn’t match the number of visible reviews.
- Google has stated that reviews have not actually been deleted, but the issue is still unresolved.
Local Services Ads (LSA) Reviews Merging
- Another speculation is that LSA reviews may be merging into normal Google reviews, leading to potential discrepancies in counts.
- This could indicate a backend change in how Google structures and displays reviews across different listing types.
Google’s Fight Against Fraudulent Reviews
- While this is largely a bug, Google is also cracking down on fake and policy-violating reviews.
- If reviews were removed before this bug occurred, it may have been due to violations of Google’s review policy guidelines (spam, inappropriate content, or fraudulent reviews).
What Should Businesses Do?
Stay Updated: Google has acknowledged the issue and is actively working on a fix. No action is required yet. Do NOT Panic: Your reviews likely still exist—this is a display issue, not an actual deletion. Monitor Your GBP: Keep an eye on review counts and customer feedback. Take screenshots to track any unusual changes. Check for Compliance: If certain reviews are permanently gone, they may have violated Google’s review policies—check for anything that might have been flagged. Wait Before Reporting: Unless your reviews are still missing after Google’s fix, avoid flooding support
—Google is already aware and addressing the issue.
We’re Here to Help as Google Partners
We understand how crucial Google reviews are to your business—impacting visibility, trust, and conversions. As Google Partners, we stay on top of these changes and can help you navigate any issues affecting your Google Business Profile.
Need help with your Google Business Profile? Whether it’s understanding these updates, optimizing your local listing, or creating a review strategy, we’ve got your back. Reach out to us today and let’s make sure your business stays ahead!
Contact us now to get expert support.
