Google Review Removal

Negative content showing up in search results can have a lasting impact on both individuals and businesses. It can damage your reputation, affect job opportunities, scare off potential customers, or even strain personal relationships. Whether it’s a harmful article, a blog post, or a forum mention, once it’s on the internet, it tends to stick — and people often believe what they read, even if it’s misleading or out of context.

At FirstRank, we specialize in removing or suppressing damaging content from search results. Our team uses proven strategies like legal takedown requests, content de-indexing, and SEO techniques to push down unwanted links. We take a personal and results-driven approach to every case, working quickly and discreetly to clean up your online image. Your reputation matters — and we’re here to help you take control of it.

How to flag a Google Review

Online reviews can be helpful for businesses, but sometimes you may come across a review that’s fake, misleading, or violates Google’s rules. In such cases, you might want to get that review removed. This guide will show you how to deal with unwanted Google reviews and what steps you can take.

Can You Remove a Google Review?

Here’s the truth: you can’t delete a review someone else posted about your business unless it breaks Google’s review policies. Google only removes reviews that contain:

• Hate speech or discrimination
• Offensive or inappropriate content
• Fake or spam reviews
• Conflicts of interest (e.g., written by a competitor or employee)
• Off-topic or irrelevant content

If a review doesn’t fall into any of these categories, Google will likely not remove it — even if it’s unfair or negative.

Step-by-Step: How to Report a Google Review

believe a review violates Google’s rules, here’s how to flag it:

For Desktop:

1. Go to Google Maps.
2. Search for your business.
3. Find the review you want to remove.
4. Click the three vertical dots (⋮) next to the review.
5. Select “Report review” and choose the reason that fits best.

For Mobile (Google Maps app):

1. Open the app and find your business profile.
2. Scroll to the review section.
3. Tap the three-dot icon next to the review.
4. Tap “Report review” and choose the reason.

After reporting, Google will review the case. If the review clearly violates the rules, it will be taken down. This process usually takes a few days.

What If Google Doesn’t Remove the Review?

If Google rejects your request and the review stays up:

Respond professionally. Reply to the review to show your side of the story. This builds trust with other customers.

Encourage more positive reviews. Ask happy customers to leave honest reviews. More good feedback can balance out the bad.

Monitor regularly. Keep an eye on your reviews so you can act quickly when something questionable shows up.

Final Thoughts
You can’t control what people say, but you can manage how you handle it. If a review breaks Google’s policies, report it. If it doesn’t, respond calmly and focus on building a strong, trustworthy presence.

If you’re dealing with fake or harmful reviews and need help, our team offers professional support in handling reputation issues. Reach out anytime.

If you’re trying to delete or remove your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), the process isn’t always as simple as clicking “delete.” Google often keeps listings live even if you no longer manage them – frustrating, we know.

At FirstRank, we specialize in getting these listings removed, especially when they’re outdated, unwanted, or damaging your reputation. Here’s how it works, and how we can help.

✅ Step-by-Step Guide to Remove Your Google Business Profile

1. Log In to Your Google Account
Use the same Google account that was used to manage the profile. If you’re unsure which account was used, we can help identify it.

2. Go to Google Business Profile Manager

Visit: https://business.google.com

From there:

• Find the business listing you want to remove.
• Click the three-dot menu (⋮) next to the profile.

Select “Business Profile settings“, then choose “Remove Business Profile“.

3. Remove Content & Access
You’ll see the option to “Remove profile content and managers”. Confirm the action and finish the steps. This removes your ability to manage the profile — but the listing can still stay online.

This is where FirstRank comes in — we go a step further.

Why Your Listing Might Still Show Up

Even after you remove the profile from your account, it might still appear in Google Search and Maps. Why? Because Google keeps some listings up if they think the business still exists or it’s helpful to users.
We specialize in cases like these, where you’ve done your part, but the listing is still live.

🔧 FirstRank Can Help With:

• Removing outdated or closed business listings
• Deleting listings with negative or fake reviews
• Handling duplicate listings or businesses that no longer exist
• Helping you avoid public-facing “Permanently Closed” labels that can hurt your image

💡 Optional Step: Mark It as Permanently Closed
If the business is truly shut down:

• Go to the profile settings
• Under “Hours”, choose “Permanently Closed”

This helps users know the business is no longer operating, but again — it may still be visible publicly. We help push for complete removal where possible.

🧼 Want the Listing Gone for Good?
Here’s what we do differently at FirstRank:

• Direct removal requests through the right Google channels
• Proper documentation and evidence submission
• Appeal and follow-up if initial requests are denied
• Ongoing support until the issue is resolved

Let Us Handle the Headache
Trying to remove your Google Business Profile yourself can be frustrating and time-consuming. Let FirstRank take it from here. We know what works — and more importantly, what doesn’t.

Contact us today for a free consultation and let’s clean up your online presence the right way.