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Fake reviews, review waves and extortion, ratings on review sites, and the official ways to report them.

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Reviews

Fake Google reviews: how to spot them and report them

How Google defines a fake review, the signs that give one away, the exact reporting steps, and what US and UK law now say.

WhatsMyRep editorial team · 6 October 2026 · 6 min read
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Review extortion and review bombing: what to do in the first 48 hours

A wave of 1-star reviews, then a demand for money. Google's advice, the report form, and a 48-hour plan.

WhatsMyRep editorial team
6 October 2026 · 6 min read

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Google searchWhat people see when they search your business name: results, suggestions and what Google does about them.→ ReviewsFake reviews, review waves and extortion, ratings on review sites, and the official ways to report them.→ AI answersWhat Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT and Gemini say about a business, and what the research says about measuring it.→ MonitoringHow to keep an eye on your reputation without a big budget, and which tools fit which job.→