Google has recently started sending warning emails to business owners after detecting fake or incentivised reviews on their Google Business Profile. Over the past few weeks, many businesses have received notifications confirming that suspicious reviews were identified and removed. Asking plainly and leaving the rating alone is what keeps you clear of this, and these review request examples stick to that. Some owners read that email and decide they want reviews gone altogether. The answer on turning off Google reviews is worth having first. Google removed those reviews on its own. When a review breaks the rules and Google has not acted, the report is yours to file, and getting a bad review removed walks through it.
According to the email from Google, “The fake or incentivised reviews identified were removed. If we continue to find fake or incentivised reviews that attempt to increase your star rating, this may lead to restrictions being applied on your profile.”
This clearly shows that Google is tightening its review policies and taking stronger action against businesses trying to manipulate ratings.
The update was first noticed by Ben Fisher, who shared a screenshot on X:
I honestly cannot recall if this is new… @rustybrick ? pic.twitter.com/lBPONFQYOy
— Ben Fisher (@TheSocialDude) February 20, 2026
Recently, Google also updated its local review policies, and many businesses reported reviews disappearing from their listings. Therefore, this new email alert could be connected to those changes.
Business owners should now focus on collecting genuine customer feedback and avoid offering incentives for reviews. Maintaining authentic reviews is important not only for trust but also for protecting your Google Business Profile from restrictions.
Forum discussion at X.
