How to Get Rid of Bad Google Reviews
What You Can Do (and What Actually Works Long-Term)

Getting a bad Google review stings, especially when it feels unfair or untrue. For small businesses, a single 1-star review can tank your average and create doubt for future customers.

So the natural question is: Can I get rid of a bad Google review?

The answer? Sometimes. But not always.

Here’s what you need to know about your options and what to do when removal isn’t possible.

When Can You Remove a Google Review?

Google only removes reviews that violate their policies. This includes:

• Spam or fake content

• Offensive or abusive language

• Conflict of interest (e.g., a review from a competitor or a disgruntled ex-employee)

• Irrelevant content (talking about something unrelated to your business)

If you believe a review falls into one of these categories, you can:

1. Go to your Google Business Profile

2. Find the review

3. Click the 3-dot menu and choose “Report review”

4. Follow the prompts to explain why it violates policy

Google typically reviews the request within a few days, though they rarely notify you of the result unless the review is removed.

What If the Review Doesn't Violate Any Policy?

Here’s the tough truth: if a review is genuine, even if it’s harsh or feels exaggerated, it probably won’t be removed.

That doesn’t mean you’re stuck - it just means the approach shifts from removal to response and recovery.

You can:

• Reply publicly and professionally to show others you care and want to resolve it

• Offer to fix the issue offline and invite them to revise the review later

• Encourage more customers to leave positive feedback and dilute the impact

This last tactic is where many businesses see the biggest improvement.

Drown Out the Bad with a Flood of Good

While you may not be able to delete a 1-star review, you can bury it.

When your business has 200 five-star reviews, that lone negative one doesn’t hold nearly the same weight. In fact, customers often expect a few bad reviews - it’s the ratio that matters most.

This is where consistent review generation becomes your strongest strategy.

How Cheers Helps (Without Deleting Anything)

At Cheers, we don’t remove reviews. We help businesses earn more of the right kind.

Our NFC badges make it easy for your employees to collect reviews in the moment, when a customer is happiest. It’s effortless for the customer (just a tap), and it’s tied to the exact employee who created the great experience.

Some clients using Cheers have earned tens of thousands of positive reviews in just a few months - completely transforming their online reputation.

So if you're stuck with a few negative Google reviews you can’t remove, the most powerful fix is volume. Flood your profile with authentic praise, and let the good speak louder than the bad.