Review rules and compliance
Google publishes policies on what businesses may and may not do when collecting reviews, and many countries also have consumer-protection laws that cover fake or misleading reviews. The guides in this hub explain those rules in plain language. They cover review gating, where only customers expected to be happy are sent to Google; incentives, such as discounts or gifts offered in exchange for a review; reviews written by owners, staff or people paid to post them; and automated requests that cross the line into spam. You will also find guidance on whether review cards and stands are allowed, how to report reviews that break Google's policies, and how to protect a listing from fake reviews posted by others. The aim is simple: collect genuine reviews from real customers in a way that keeps your Business Profile safe.
13 Oct 20269 minCASL Review Request Rules: Can You Email Canadian Customers for Google Reviews?
Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation governs commercial electronic messages, and many review request emails and texts qualify. Here is when you have consent, what the message must contain, and how to ask for Google reviews without tripping over CASL.
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8 Oct 20269 minGoogle-Bewertungen sammeln: Was ist erlaubt und was nicht?
Kunden um eine Google-Bewertung zu bitten ist in Deutschland erlaubt. Gutscheine, Gewinnspiele, gekaufte Bewertungen und ungefragte E-Mails sind es nicht. Ein Überblick über UWG, DSGVO und Google-Richtlinien.
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5 Oct 20268 minGoogle Review Policy: What Businesses Can and Cannot Do
A plain-English guide to Google's review policy for businesses: what you can do to collect reviews, what is banned, and how Google enforces it.
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5 Oct 20268 minCompetition Bureau Fake Reviews Rules: What Canadian Businesses Must Know
Canada has no stand-alone fake review law, but the Competition Bureau applies the Competition Act to fake and undisclosed reviews. Here is what that means for a small business asking for Google reviews.
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4 Oct 20268 minACCC Online Reviews Rules: What Australian Businesses Must Know
The ACCC's position on online reviews is simple: they must be genuine and independent. Here is what the Australian Consumer Law means for a small business asking customers for Google reviews.
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3 Oct 20268 minThe FTC Consumer Review Rule: What Small Businesses Must Know
Since October 21, 2024, the FTC's Consumer Review Rule has banned fake reviews, buying positive reviews and suppressing negative ones. Here is what it means for a small business asking customers for Google reviews.
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2 Oct 20268 minThe DMCC Act and Fake Reviews: What UK Small Businesses Must Know
The DMCC Act made fake reviews a banned practice in the UK from 6 April 2025. Here is what that means for a small business asking customers for Google reviews.
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15 Dec 20257 minAre Review Cards Allowed by Google?
Yes — a card that simply opens your Google review page is allowed. Here's what Google's policy says, and where the line is.
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10 Dec 202510 minReview Gating: What It Is and Why You Should Avoid It
Some businesses review-gate without realising it. Here's what it means, why Google's policy prohibits it, and what to do instead.
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9 Dec 202512 minFake Google Reviews: How to Spot, Report and Protect Yourself
How to recognize a suspicious Google review, report it through your Business Profile, reply calmly while it's checked, and keep your own review collection above suspicion.
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8 Dec 202511 minHow to Automate Google Review Requests Safely
You can make asking for Google reviews routine without breaking Google's rules. What Google allows, what it prohibits, and a simple setup that keeps every request honest.
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