How do I handle incorrect or misapplied Google Maps reviews?
 by Casey Markee

How do I handle incorrect or misapplied Google Maps reviews?

  • My client is in the hotel hospitality industry. The problem is that his business is associated with his competitor on his Google Maps listing. The Google Maps listing displays the competitor's reviews, while showing my client's business name. Why is this happening and what can I do to remove them or at the very least minimize their impact?

Answer: This is a common problem with Google Maps. Oftentimes, when there are multiple business listings concentrated in the same geographic area, this mix-up of information occurs. In your case, Google is most likely pulling reviews from competing hotels in the area which happen to mention your client's business name. All of the reviews you referenced are currently provided to Google by the tourism site ActiveHotels.com.

ActiveHotels.com is one of dozens of outside sites Google uses to pull aggregate data into Google maps. This data is then used to serve reviews and enhanced listing information in the search results. The problem is that Google has no control over the accuracy of information provided by these third-party sites. So you need to contact ActiveHotels.com directly and explain the problem to them. Show them the screenshot of the reviews in question, request they examine your listing and ask them to remove misapplied reviews directly. Once this is corrected on their site, Google will eventually update your client's local listings with the accurate information.

Here are a few proactive ideas to do in the meantime to minimize the impact these reviews have on your client's listings:

  • Go to ActiveHotels.com and get your client started by generating their own reviews (Google can then serve these new reviews which will push current reviews down the page).

  • Add new reviews directly in Google Maps. Here's a screenshot of a quick search for "Misty's Steak House" in Google Maps.

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