{"id":137,"date":"2024-10-09T08:56:45","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T08:56:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freeoseocheck.com\/blog\/2024\/10\/09\/new-policies-shady-review-schemes-is-google-helping-or-hurting\/"},"modified":"2024-10-09T08:56:45","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T08:56:45","slug":"new-policies-shady-review-schemes-is-google-helping-or-hurting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freeoseocheck.com\/blog\/new-policies-shady-review-schemes-is-google-helping-or-hurting\/","title":{"rendered":"New Policies & Shady Review Schemes: Is Google Helping or Hurting?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What’s going on with Google, fake reviews, and “review removal” services right now? BrightLocal contributor and Google Business Profile Gold Product Expert, Sam Knight, takes on the thorny issue and finds all is not well in the realm of reviews. Hold onto your hats\u2014it’s about to get messy.<\/em><\/p>\n

Fake reviews are out of control on Google. Signaling a desire to address the problem, Google released tougher GBP guidelines last week<\/a> that warn merchants of new punishments for \u201cfake engagement”.<\/p>\n

This should be a welcomed change, of course. But is it too little, too late? Will these new policies actually help? And will innocent merchants suffer too?<\/p>\n

Considering merchants are already suffering<\/em> from weak policy enforcement and seemingly automated appeal tools, you definitely won\u2019t find me celebrating quite yet.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s just the first reason I\u2019m skeptical! In this article, we\u2019ll take a look at the state of restricted content policies, Google\u2019s years-long enablement of harmful third-party reputation services, and why you might want to consider precautions to prevent any headaches to come.<\/p>\n

Google\u2019s New Review Policies<\/span><\/h2>\n

Earlier this year, I started hearing reports from folks in the EU that their Google Business Profile reviews had been disabled for 30 days due to fake engagement. This was the first quiet sign Google was ramping up new tests to fight fake positive reviews.<\/p>\n

Now, Google has gone public with new policies and a list of punishments for merchants who are caught engaging in fake engagement violations:<\/p>\n

\"Business<\/p>\n

Aside from losing the fake reviews, Google might:<\/p>\n