Over recent weeks, many Australian businesses have logged into Google Search or Maps only to notice something unusual: customer reviews disappearing. In some cases, entire review histories have vanished overnight. Google has confirmed that a Google reviews disappearing bug is affecting Business Profiles globally.
For businesses that rely on local visibility and authentic customer feedback, this is more than an inconvenience. It can temporarily affect reputation, local ranking performance, and lead flow. At Arcadian Digital, we’re monitoring the issue to help clients stay informed and proactive.
What’s Actually Happening with Google Reviews
Google has acknowledged a technical issue that has caused some legitimate reviews to disappear from Business Profiles. In most cases, these reviews have not been removed permanently; they are temporarily hidden while Google implements system updates. The restoration process may take several weeks, depending on the underlying fix.
Bugs like this have appeared before, usually during infrastructure changes or updates to Google’s spam detection and moderation systems. As Google refines its AI tools for authenticity checks, temporary visibility issues can occur. Typically, once systems stabilise, missing reviews return.
Other Reasons Your Reviews Might Be Disappearing
While the current bug is widespread, not every missing review is connected. Here are a few other reasons to consider:
1. Stricter Spam Filters
Google’s automated detection tools, now enhanced by machine learning, are increasingly precise when flagging suspicious activity. If a series of five-star reviews appears suddenly or from inactive accounts, legitimate feedback can occasionally be misclassified.
2. Policy Violations
Reviews that breach Google’s content policies, such as those written by employees, fake submissions, or posts containing sensitive information, are removed permanently.
3. Reviewer Account Deletion
When a customer deletes their Google account, their reviews disappear as well. It is uncommon but can add up for long-standing businesses.
4. Listing Updates or Merges
Changes to a business name, address, or the merging of duplicate listings can temporarily affect review visibility. Reviews usually reappear once Google processes the updates.
5. Profile Verification or Suspension
Unverified or suspended Business Profiles can experience incomplete or missing review data until verification is reinstated.
How Disappearing Reviews Affect Your Business
Customer reviews are more than social proof; they are an active signal in local SEO. A sudden drop can influence ranking visibility, lower user trust, and disrupt reporting dashboards that rely on review data. Even when temporary, it highlights the importance of diversifying reputation channels and not depending too heavily on a single platform.
What to Do If Your Google Reviews Have Disappeared
While Google addresses the issue, focus on clarity and continuity:
1. Check Your Business Profile Dashboard
Sometimes reviews remain visible internally but not publicly. If that is the case, your listing is likely affected by the wider bug, and restoration should follow.
2. Avoid Unnecessary Edits
Avoid changing key details such as your business name or address to try to trigger a refresh. This can delay resolution. Instead, keep an eye on official Google Business support updates for progress reports.
3. Communicate Transparently
If reviews are an active part of your marketing, post an update on your social channels or website explaining that Google is resolving an issue with reviews. Clear communication helps maintain customer confidence.
4. Continue Requesting Genuine Feedback
Keep inviting new, authentic reviews through your usual channels like post-purchase emails, QR codes, or direct links. Sustained review activity supports SEO consistency and engagement.
5. Benchmark Your Results
If competitors are experiencing similar losses, it is likely part of the same system issue. Use that context to keep internal reporting balanced and focused on long-term performance.
Strengthen Your Reputation Beyond a Single Platform
Events like this show why brand trust should extend beyond one platform. Build resilience through a broader reputation ecosystem that includes:
– Owned channels: testimonials, website case studies, and updated Google Posts
– Earned mentions: credible media coverage and user-generated social content
– Shared spaces: channels like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or trusted review aggregators
You might also consider using AI-enabled social listening tools such as Brandwatch, Sprout Social, or Google Insights to monitor sentiment across channels. A multi-platform approach helps maintain visibility and trust when one system encounters issues.
Arcadian Digital’s Perspective
The Google reviews disappearing bug serves as a reminder of how interconnected digital platforms have become and how a single platform update can significantly impact a business’s online visibility.
At Arcadian Digital, we work with Australian businesses to build stable, adaptable strategies that protect brand trust across channels. Whether it is SEO audits, profile recovery, or ongoing reputation monitoring, our focus is on accuracy, transparency, and long-term stability.
If you are unsure whether your review loss is linked to this bug or another cause, our team can assess the issue and guide recovery while strengthening your overall digital presence.
