Google is warning businesses that it will delete fake reviews on its Maps app and "punish" violators of its policy.
Google Maps, in addition to taking you by the shortest route to the places you want, also offers you details of the city you live in, marking public buildings, museums, and businesses.
These can be from restaurants to pharmacies. And of course those businesses that accept the public and serve customers can also have reviews about the quality of their services.
If you go to the reviews of a restaurant for example, you will see some opinions that are exaggerated and completely opposite from most commenters. Of course, these are fake reviews that aim to make the company shine and raise its image and turnover.
Sometimes it's hard to know if the glowing review you're reading is real or not. That's why Google has decided to change its policy and impose restrictions on businesses found to be posting fake reviews on the Maps app.
In her statement, Google says it “takes fake and/or incited business reviews and ratings very seriously,” and that it will impose restrictions on business profiles that violate its false interaction policy in order to curb fake reviews.
Google explained that possible restrictions could include stopping new reviews of a business or warning consumers that fake reviews have been removed so they know the business owners are using unfair means.
Businesses will be notified by email if restrictions are placed on them and will be able to appeal the restriction. Google will review the business profile again and determine whether or not to cancel the restriction.
While these penalties don't sound harsh, they actually hit the target that businesses are trying to achieve with fake reviews.
