Google Review Appeals Are Delayed: What to Do Now

2026-10-22

If you asked Google to take down a fake or abusive review and you're still waiting, you're not alone. Google says review appeals for Business Profiles are taking longer than usual, and it can't say when it will catch up.

What Google said

On October 15, Dan Boguslavsky from the Google team posted a notice in the Google Business Profile Help Community. He wrote:

"Due to high volume of review related appeals, processing times are currently extended. We are working diligently to process all cases. As of this time, we cannot provide a specific response timeframe for pending cases."

The notice also says: "Do not create a duplicate appeal. Once your appeal has been submitted, you do not need to do anything further."

Search Engine Roundtable reported the notice on October 20. It says this is not the first time: according to its report, Google also had review appeal delays in March 2025 and in December 2025.

What a review appeal is

When you report a review, Google checks it. If Google finds no policy violation, the status in the Reviews Management Tool shows "Report reviewed - no policy violation". If you disagree, Google lets you submit a one-time appeal. You can appeal up to 10 reviews at once.

When Google decides, you get an email. If the review breaks Google's policies, Google removes it. If not, the review stays up.

Why it matters for your business

A fake review, or one that breaks Google's rules, can pull down your star rating. It can also make people choose another business on the map. Google itself says that "more reviews and positive ratings can help your business's local ranking." Right now, a bad review you appealed may stay visible longer than you hoped.

What to do

Don't file the same appeal twice. Google asks you not to. The appeal is one-time, and a duplicate won't make it faster.
Check the status instead. Google's notice links to a page where you can check the status of your review removal appeal. Look there before you contact support.
Reply to the review in public. Google posts your reply under the review, and the reviewer gets a notice. A short, calm, factual reply shows future customers your side while you wait. Don't argue, and don't share private customer details.
Keep earning real reviews. A few fresh, genuine reviews soften the effect of one bad review. Ask happy customers soon after a good visit.
Keep notes. Write down when you reported the review, when you appealed, and any evidence (for example, no record of that person as a customer). Then you have it ready if you need to contact Google support.

For the full steps to report a review, see our guide on how to report fake Google reviews.

Also spotted: verification with a government ID

In a separate report, Search Engine Roundtable says Google may be testing a new way to verify a Business Profile: you upload a photo of a government ID. A user on the Local Search Forum shared it first, about two weeks before the report. Google has not announced this, and its help page on verification does not list it. So treat it as a test that most businesses will not see.

Keep an eye on your map position

Reviews are one of the things that affect where you show up in Google Maps. The free check searches Google Maps from 25 points around your business and shows the 3 places Google shows instead of you.

Sources

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