Yes — in most cases you can get a fake Google review removed in Australia, but only if it breaches Google's review policies. You flag the review inside your Google Business Profile and ask Google to assess it. If someone is flooding you with one-star reviews and then demanding money to take them down, you report the extortion through Google's dedicated form and to Australian authorities — and you never pay. This is the owner's playbook: how removal actually works, what to do when it turns into extortion, and the legal recourse you have under Australian law.
Key takeaways
- A fake review can be removed if it breaks Google's rules — but an honest bad review you simply disagree with usually can't. Google blocked or removed over 292 million policy-violating reviews in 2025 (Google, 2026).
- The first step is free and takes two minutes: flag the review in your Google Business Profile and report it as a policy violation.
- If you're being extorted, never pay. Google's own advice is blunt: "Do not engage with or pay the malicious individuals" (Google Business Profile Help, 2026).
- Google launched a dedicated merchant extortion form in late 2025 for exactly this situation (Restaurant Technology News, 2025).
- Fake reviews can break the law. The ACCC states plainly that "writing fake or misleading reviews is against the law" (ACCC, 2026).
Can you actually remove a fake Google review?
You can request removal, and Google will remove a review if it decides the review breaches its content policies — for example, it's fake, spam, off-topic, or posted by someone who was never a customer. What you can't do is force Google to delete a genuine negative review just because it's unfair or untrue from your point of view. The bar is a policy breach, not your disagreement.
The good news is that Google's enforcement has scaled up sharply. Across Maps and Business Profiles, Google says it "blocked or removed over 292 million policy-violating reviews" and "removed over 13 million fake Business Profiles" in 2025 (Google, 2026). Its systems now also specifically target the extortion pattern, stepping in against "attempts to demand payment in exchange for removing fake one-star reviews" (Google, 2026).
The damage from a coordinated attack is real. In one Australian case reported by reputation agency PSOS, a business's rating "dropped from 5.0 to 3.6 overnight" after a burst of fake reviews and it went on to lose three contracts worth A$45,000 (PSOS, 2026). For a restaurant or cafe living on bookings and walk-ins, a sudden ratings drop hits covers the same week.
How to report and remove a fake Google review
Work through these in order. The first option is free, fast, and resolves most genuine policy breaches.
- Flag the review in your Google Business Profile. Find the review, tap the three-dot menu next to it, and choose Report review. Google then assesses it against its content policies. Straightforward breaches are often actioned within a few days; contested ones can take one to four weeks.
- Be specific about the policy breach. Don't argue that the review is "unfair" — show why it breaks the rules. Note if the reviewer was never a customer, if several near-identical reviews appeared at once, or if accounts have no history and target multiple unrelated businesses.
- Gather your evidence before you escalate. Screenshot every suspect review, the account names, the dates and times they landed, and your normal review pattern for comparison. A cluster of one-stars in 48 hours from accounts you've never served is the signal Google looks for.
- Escalate through Business Profile support if the flag is ignored. If a clear policy-breaching review survives the first report, use the in-profile support channels to request a review of the decision and attach your evidence.
What to do if someone demands payment to remove reviews
This is the version that has been hitting Australian small businesses hardest: a sudden flood of one- and two-star reviews, then a message — often via WhatsApp or text from an unknown number — offering to make them disappear for a fee. Google describes the pattern precisely: "a sudden increase in 1-star and 2-star reviews on your Google Business Profile, followed by someone demanding money, goods, or services in exchange for removing the negative reviews" (Google Business Profile Help, 2026).
Never pay. Paying marks you as a soft target and funds the next round; it also doesn't guarantee anything. Google's guidance is explicit: "Do not engage with or pay the malicious individuals. This can encourage further attempts and doesn't guarantee the removal of reviews" (Google Business Profile Help, 2026). The same page warns owners not to "try to resolve it yourself by offering money or services."
Instead, use the dedicated tool Google built for this. In late 2025 Google rolled out a merchant extortion report form that lets you report not just the fake reviews but the extortion attempt itself (Restaurant Technology News, 2025). Sign in with the account that manages your Business Profile, then supply your business details and the affected profile link, describe the suspicious reviews and the demand, and attach screenshots of the communications, the demands, and the reviews (Google Business Profile Help, 2026). Keep the original messages — don't delete the thread.
Your legal options in Australia
Fake reviews aren't just a Google problem; they can breach Australian law. The ACCC is unambiguous: "writing fake or misleading reviews is against the law," and it expects businesses to act — "if your business receives a fake review, you should notify the review platform immediately and request that the review be removed" (ACCC, 2026). The regulator also warns that platforms and businesses that knowingly leave fake reviews up "risk breaching the Australian Consumer Law" (ACCC, 2026).
If you're targeted, your practical avenues are:
- Report the scam to Scamwatch (run by the National Anti-Scam Centre) so the extortion attempt is on record.
- Report a payment demand or threat to police — extortion is a criminal matter, not just a reputation one.
- Lodge a report with the ACCC if reviews on your listing are fake or misleading.
- Get legal advice before you make any public claim that a specific review is defamatory or fraudulent.
This is general information, not legal advice. Defamation and consumer-law outcomes turn on the specifics, so check with the ACCC's guidance or a solicitor before acting on anything beyond reporting.
How to protect your reputation before the next attack
You can't stop trolls from trying, but you can blunt the damage. Respond calmly and publicly to genuine criticism so prospective diners see an owner who cares — and keep asking happy regulars for honest reviews, so one bad week can't swing your average. A steady stream of real reviews is the best insulation against a sudden fake cluster.
It also helps to not have your entire reputation living on platforms you don't control. The more of your bookings and orders come through your own website and channels — where your reputation isn't one algorithm decision away from collapse — the less a Google attack can choke your revenue. (An AI site builder like DineHere is one way independents stand up that owned channel without a big project.) That same independence is why it pays to know exactly what delivery apps really cost Australian restaurants and where every dollar goes in a 2026 Australian venue — reputation, commissions, and margin are the same fight.
Frequently asked questions
Can Google remove a fake review?
Yes, if the review breaches Google's content policies — for example it's fake, spam, off-topic, or from a non-customer. Flag it via the three-dot menu and choose Report review. Google removed over 292 million policy-violating reviews in 2025 (Google, 2026).
How long does it take to remove a fake Google review?
Clear policy breaches are often actioned within a few days. Contested cases, or those needing extra evidence, can take one to four weeks. Submitting strong, specific evidence up front speeds it up.
Can I remove a negative review just because I disagree with it?
No. Google only removes reviews that breach its policies, not honest negative feedback you dispute. Your best move with a genuine bad review is a calm, professional public reply.
What if someone demands money to remove reviews?
Don't pay. Report it through Google's merchant extortion form, keep all the messages as evidence, and report the demand to Scamwatch and police. Google says paying "can encourage further attempts and doesn't guarantee the removal of reviews" (Google Business Profile Help, 2026).
Is a fake review illegal in Australia?
Writing fake or misleading reviews breaches the Australian Consumer Law, according to the ACCC (ACCC, 2026). Demanding money to remove reviews can also be criminal extortion. This is general information, not legal advice.
Can I sue someone for a fake review?
Possibly, but defamation action is slow, costly, and fact-dependent — and you often can't identify an anonymous reviewer. Removal and reporting are faster first steps. Get legal advice before pursuing court action.
Should I respond publicly to a fake review?
A brief, factual reply ("we have no record of this booking and have reported it for review") signals to other readers that you're on top of it. Don't get drawn into an argument or reveal customer details.
How do I report fake reviews to the ACCC?
The ACCC says to notify the platform first and request removal (ACCC, 2026). You can also report scams to Scamwatch and lodge a report with the ACCC about misleading conduct.
What evidence should I keep?
Screenshots of every suspect review and reviewer profile, the dates and times they appeared, any messages demanding payment, and the phone number or account that contacted you. Keep originals — don't delete the thread.
How can I stop fake reviews from hurting my rating?
Build a steady flow of genuine reviews so a single fake cluster can't swing your average, reply professionally to real criticism, and report policy-breaching reviews quickly. Diversifying bookings to your own channels reduces how much any one platform can hurt you.
