Last week, complaints began flooding Reddit and Google’s support channels from business owners noticing drastic changes in their review counts on Google’s business profiles. One business owner highlighted the discrepancy when their profile showed 107 reviews despite having 116 live posts.
Similarly, Carla Viljoen reported her makeup business’s review count had plummeted from 106 to 85, significantly affecting her small company’s online presence. Other business owners are also sharing similar experiences, with some reporting losses in the hundreds, like one user who claimed around 200 reviews vanished overnight.
In response to the outcry, Google acknowledged the issue through a statement, clarifying that the reviews were not deleted but were victims of a “display issue” affecting the count visibility. Victoria Kroll, a Google employee, updated the community, stating they are “working hard to resolve this,” though no specific timeline for a solution has been provided. Community product experts have also been reassuring affected users that Google is aware of the “widespread issue” and is actively working on it.
Even after the acknowledgment, the situation remained tense for many businesses, with some reporting daily decreases in their ratings. A dental practice mentioned losing 19 reviews, while a car repair service lost 23. The fear among business owners is evident, with concerns that the glitch could affect customer trust and visibility in local search results.
Fortunately, it seems like Google is slowly managing to get things under control as there are signs of recovery for some. A user with the handle “Highroute” reported their review numbers had returned to normal, and another user celebrated an increase from 55 to 67 reviews. However, many businesses, like a Baltimore appliance repair company, claim they are still missing over 170 reviews.
The bug seems to have also impacted Local Guides’ reviews as users are noting that reviews they left have vanished. That said, if you’re affected by the glitch, we’d suggest simply waiting it out. It’s likely that Google will resolve the problem for most users within the next few hours.
We’ll update the article if and when there are any further developments.
Dwayne Cubbins
740 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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