How to contact Google for an incorrect business review?

[katz]

Someone who is five states away from me left a bad review on my business account. Obviously, he was confused, as he rambled on and on about how I worked on his dishwasher and hit on his wife, lol. Clearly was not me, I don't fix dishwashers...

At any rate, I tried the automated Google removal inquiry, and they sent me a canned reply that it was legitimate and they won't remove it. I cannot seem to find a good email link, chat, etc., to get ahold of the correct person at Google business to get this error removed.

Anyone have a contact method for google?

 

[Markverhyden]

Seem to remember @labtech had to deal with google business over his listing a while ago. Maybe he has some ideas.

 

[HCHTech]

Absolutely post a reply, though. "I'm sorry you had this experience, but I am in PA and only repair computers. Surely you meant this review for someone else?"

 

[britechguy]

Absolutely post a reply, though. "I'm sorry you had this experience, but I am in PA and only repair computers. Surely you meant this review for someone else?"

Exactly, though I'd pursue it again with Google as well. If you're hundreds to thousands of miles away from a reviewer, and the review isn't even about the business you're in, there's obviously been "reviewer error."

But, there's obviously been "reviewer error." Anyone reading who wouldn't recognize that, under this sort of circumstance, is someone I wouldn't want as a new client anyway. Accidents will happen, always have, and a half a second of critical thinking would result in arriving at that conclusion. And if you can't think critically, at all, find another tech . . .

 

[Canadian Tech]

I've had to deal with a bad review left by someone who never used my services and I can tell you that Google will do nothing about it. Their excuse was it's a free country and they can leave reviews how they see fit. Your best best is to reply to the review as others have stated but add "Although I have no record of you ever using my services...". All you can do is hope they take the review down.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Still better than Yelp, where you pay them to remove bad reviews.

 

[katz]

A follow up here; I had a few moments this morning so I decided to at least leave a reply that I was not the tech that worked on your dishwasher, etc. So, to my surprise, the negative review has vanished! Either the confused reviewer came to their senses and removed it on their own, or google took a second look. Whatever the case, I'm back to 5 stars now.

Either way, it's a messed up system, almost as bad as ebays' feedback rating, but we won't open that can of worms in this thread...

 

[pcpete]

I think since google started to encourage people to leave reviews with prompts on their phone, even if they have never been to us, we get an occasional one star with no comment. I sucks as it pulls down your rating even if you have just under 100 total reviews

 

[xrobwx71]

I think since google started to encourage people to leave reviews with prompts on their phone, even if they have never been to us, we get an occasional one star with no comment. I sucks as it pulls down your rating even if you have just under 100 total reviews

Google also has those Google Guides who gain "status" for writing as many reviews as they can.

We have a stellar reputation yet this guy did a drive by review on my store. 2 Stars and comment saying we were mediocre. I researched his account and could see that he is obviously from Atlanta, GA, and was down here in Panama City Beach at a festival. I ascertained this by following his "reviews" on his map. I also looked at the date of the review and looked back on our security cameras and he never entered the store.

I didn't even try to dispute it.

I did however post a response that was to the point as well as professional.

 

[labtech]

Seem to remember @labtech had to deal with google business over his listing a while ago. Maybe he has some ideas.

Not much to say... It is difficult to work with Google reps, as "they are understaffed"... and they don't care to solve the problem.
I also got a couple of sketchy reviews, where the people were far away and they were never a customer. I reply to the review professionally letting the viewers know the reviewer was never a customer, state where the reviewer is from and that they have at least 3 other service provider options in their area to work with before they could ever find us, and to contact us immediately for a refund. LOL, of course, they never do.

So, good thing @katz 's review disappeared.

Last thing is I noticed Google pushing Google Maps users to review the placed they have been visiting. Some people associate this request with how the driving experience was to the location. At least, that is what one of our customers explanation was when they left us a 4-star review prior to even getting any chance to begin working on their device. Facepalm!!! I know... I blew a gasket on him with regard to what his driving experience have to do with the quality of our service!?!?

 

[xrobwx71]

On the other side of the proverbial coin, I've been told by several consultants that you don't want 5 out 5. Perfection makes people uncomfortable, suspicious and they sometimes, won't even read the reviews.

 

[britechguy]

On the other side of the proverbial coin, I've been told by several consultants that you don't want 5 out 5. Perfection makes people uncomfortable and suspicious and they sometimes, won't even read the reviews.

I've said this many times, even though I so happen to have all 5 star ratings, that's secondary to the low number, really. If I see 10 5-star reviews, spread over time, I'm inclined to think the business has been good for those who've taken the time to review. If I see 150 5-star reviews, and only 5-star reviews, it screams shills!!!.

This is the perfect, perfect example of what to do if you get a 1-star review that you don't deserve, because it isn't even about you. And when it's embedded in a long collection of almost all 5-star reviews, with a single 1-star review that was about you, people are able to "do the math" with little effort:



As the old saying goes: You can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you will never please all of the people all of the time.

And if you have a "large body" of all of the people all of the time reviews, and only perfect reviews, that should raise suspicion on the part of anyone with critical thinking skills.