Google Maps users report issues with hidden public reviews and vanishing restaurant ratings

Update 07/01/25: There are a couple of reports of missing restaurant and business ratings from Google Search as well. I couldn’t reproduce the issue in Search, but it’s possible this is related to the vanishing ratings in Google Maps.

Original article follows:

Google Maps has hit a couple of speed bumps recently, leaving users scratching their heads and wondering if their beloved navigation app is losing its way. From reviews disappearing into the void to ratings playing hide-and-seek, here’s a breakdown of the two issues that have users up in arms.

Imagine pouring your heart into a review about your favorite pizza place or detailing a harrowing experience at a local eatery, only to find out that no one else can see it. That’s exactly what’s happening to some Google Maps users. Reports have been flooding in about reviews that are visible only to the authors themselves but remain hidden from the public eye.

Take, for instance, a user who left glowing reviews for an interior designer and a pizza restaurant. Despite being successfully posted, these reviews are invisible to everyone else. Another user who tried to share their travel experiences found that their thoughtful critiques were met with the same fate.

What’s going on here? It seems like Google Maps’ review system might be playing gatekeeper more aggressively than usual. While Google hasn’t officially acknowledged a widespread issue, users are hoping for a fix soon. For now, it’s unclear whether these hidden reviews are a result of stringent moderation, technical glitches, or something else entirely.

Meanwhile, another group of users is grappling with a different problem: missing ratings. Instead of seeing the familiar star ratings next to restaurants and businesses, users are greeted with three enigmatic dashes (—). This issue seems to have cropped up recently and has left users frustrated as they can no longer rely on quick visual cues to decide where to dine or shop.

The good news? This issue has been escalated for further investigation, hinting that a fix might be on the horizon. The bad news? No clear timeline has been provided, and users are left wondering why their go-to navigation app is acting up.

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the Google Maps community.

As we have gotten quite a few posts about this same issue, and I am able to reproduce the problem, I am going to ask Google to investigate this for you.

Stay tuned for updates.

These aren’t the first bumps in the road for Google Maps in recent times. From sending tourists to the wrong spots to compliance issues with EU regulations, it’s been growing pains for the app. Let’s not forget the aesthetic overhaul with the new teal color scheme that left some users less than thrilled.

Despite these issues, Google Maps remains a staple for millions of users worldwide. The company has shown resilience in the past, often swiftly addressing bugs and user concerns. Here’s hoping they’ll do the same for these latest snafus.