Google seems to be showing a new notice on some Google Business Profiles that tells users how many reviews were removed due to defamation complaints.
This update was spotted in Germany and, for now, it does not seem to be showing in other countries.
The notice was shared by Benjamin Szturmaj on X. According to the translated screenshot, Google showed a message saying that more than 250 reviews had been removed because of defamation complaints.
This is an interesting update because it gives users more visibility into review removals. Usually, people can see the reviews that are live on a business profile, but they do not always know how many reviews were removed.
In Germany, this seems to be connected to local laws around defamation. Some negative reviews can be removed through legal complaints, especially when lawyers file removal requests. Local SEO expert Michael Blumenthal also explained that Germany is a special case because of its laws and the rise of firms that help businesses remove negative reviews under those rules.
However, this count does not appear to include all removed reviews. Benjamin clarified that the number only applies to reviews removed because of legal complaints, not reviews removed for breaking Google’s guidelines.
This matters for local businesses because reviews are a major trust signal. Customers often check reviews before calling, visiting, booking, or buying. If many reviews were removed, users may start asking why those reviews disappeared and what kind of feedback was taken down.
At the same time, this may not become a global feature. Joy Hawkins said she does not expect this to happen in other countries unless they have similar laws. She also suggested that Google may be showing this because it has to, not because it wants to.
For business owners, the key lesson is simple. Reviews should be managed carefully and honestly. Negative reviews should not always be treated as something to remove. In many cases, a polite reply and a strong review strategy can build more trust than trying to hide feedback.
Overall, this update could make Google Business Profile reviews more transparent in places where legal review removals are common. It also reminds businesses that online reputation is not only about getting more reviews. It is also about keeping review management clean, fair, and trustworthy.
