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Understanding and Handling Google Review Extortion Scams

If you're a business owner dealing with sudden negative reviews and financial demands to remove them, you're likely facing a Google review extortion scam. This guide is designed for small-to-medium business owners and marketers, offering clear steps to protect your reputation and combat these scams effectively. Follow our structured approach to report extortion, maintain your online presence, and prevent future attacks.

What is review extortion? It's when scammers post low-star reviews and demand payment to remove them.

Fastest action: Report the scam using Google's dedicated extortion form.

Protect your business: Gather evidence, avoid engagement with scammers, and maintain genuine reviews.

Stay informed: Understand Google's policies and legal implications.

What Changed in Google's Review Policy and Why It Matters

Google has introduced a new help document titled "Report negative review extortion scams on your Business Profile." This change highlights two crucial points:

Pattern Definition: Google wants reports on sudden low-star review spikes followed by demands for payment or services.

Dedicated Form: A separate "merchant extortion" form indicates the seriousness of the issue.

Industry coverage confirms the channel's legitimacy, emphasizing the importance of not paying extortion demands. Google's increased enforcement, with over 240 million policy-violating reviews blocked in 2024, shows active measures against such scams.

What is a Google Review Extortion Scam?

A Google review extortion scam involves a surge of low-star reviews on your Business Profile, followed by a demand for payment to remove them. This scam is recognized as a serious policy violation, with legal risks also involved. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States targets deceptive review practices, including intimidation for review removal.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reporting Extortion

Do not engage or pay: Engaging encourages more attempts. Avoid contact and document everything.

Gather evidence: Take screenshots of threats, including sender details, and save related communications.

File a report: Use Google's "merchant extortion" form with your Business Profile URL, review links, and evidence.

Flag individual reviews: Use the Reviews tool for single reviews that break content rules.

Expect limited feedback: Google will notify you of the outcome but won't share investigative details.

How Does the Extortion Form Compare to Other Options?

The extortion form is designed for coordinated review attacks, while normal review flagging handles individual policy breaches. The Redressal Complaint form covers spammy listings and profile abuse. Use the extortion form for clear demands tied to reviews, while using other tools for broader issues.

Actions to Take While Waiting for Google's Decision

While awaiting Google's investigation, maintain a calm and factual approach:

Reply carefully: Respond to fake reviews for future customers, not to confront attackers.

Encourage genuine reviews: Solicit honest feedback without incentives or selective requests.

Document everything: If threats escalate, involve law enforcement.

FAQs on Google Review Extortion Scams

How long does the process take? Google will investigate and notify you of the result, without sharing detailed findings.

Can I ask customers for reviews to offset damage? Yes, but ensure requests are fair without incentives.

Should I publicly share the extorter's contact info? No, keep this information private and within your evidence file.

What if I'm targeted again? Re-file with new evidence and reference previous cases if applicable.

Are the reviews fake or real customers seeking refunds? Distinguish between extortion demands and genuine customer feedback.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

To handle review extortion, focus on gathering evidence, using the extortion form, and maintaining professionalism in responses. Build a robust review strategy spread across multiple platforms to safeguard your business reputation.

For further assistance, explore our online reputation management services to enhance your business's online presence.

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