Why Google Is Deleting Reviews at Record Levels in 2025

Google is removing business reviews at an unprecedented rate this year, and it’s affecting industries and businesses worldwide. From one-star complaints to five-star praise, no review seems entirely safe from deletion. Here’s what small business owners and marketers need to know about this trend—and how it impacts local SEO.

Why Reviews Are Disappearing

Data from 60,000 Google Business Profiles shows that reviews are being removed due to a combination of:

• Automated moderation systems using AI.
• Industry-specific risk factors that trigger closer scrutiny.
• Enforcement against incentivized reviews to prevent fake feedback.
• Local regulations that influence review removal.

These forces together mean businesses can no longer assume their reviews will remain visible indefinitely.

Industry Differences in Review Deletions

Not all businesses experience deletions equally. Restaurants, home services, retail, and construction see the highest volumes of removed reviews. Meanwhile, medical, beauty, and professional services tend to see fewer deletions—but when they do occur, they are often skewed toward five-star reviews.

This indicates that Google’s automated systems prioritize trust and compliance, especially in industries with higher perceived risk.

Timing of Deletions

• Early deletions: In medical and home services, most reviews disappear within six months of posting due to early detection of suspicious activity.
• Retroactive deletions: Restaurants and retail often see older reviews (even years old) removed as Google updates its detection algorithms.

For business owners, this means even long-standing reviews can vanish without warning.

Geography Matters

Location also plays a key role:

• English-speaking countries (U.S., UK, Canada, Australia) show more deletions of five-star reviews, reflecting AI-driven enforcement against incentivized feedback.
• Germany sees more low-rated reviews removed quickly, reflecting strict defamation laws.

Understanding regional differences is essential for businesses managing online reputation across multiple markets.

Implications for Local SEO

Deleted reviews impact:

• Trust: Customers may lose confidence when reviews disappear without explanation.
• Performance metrics: Star ratings, benchmarks, and conversion signals can be distorted.

This makes monitoring review activity critical. Businesses must track both new reviews and deletions to maintain accurate local SEO performance and protect their online reputation.

At Earn SEO, we understand how critical Google reviews are for your business visibility. As a Local SEO Agency in New York, we help businesses monitor, manage, and protect their online reputation to stay ahead of review deletions. From optimizing your Google Business Profile to tracking review activity, our team ensures your local SEO performance stays strong. Partner with us today to monitor, manage, and maximize the value of your online reviews, turning every customer interaction into a growth opportunity.