Client wants to delete Google My Business Due to Bad Review

[Joe_Stoffel]

You're welcome!

[EGOL]

Every business will get a few bad reviews.  The Pope could be selling Bibles and get bad reviews from cranky customers or customers who blame the Pope when the package is lost on the mail.

The client probably has a nice business, is perfectly honest and does an excellent job.  Don't worry about one review.

[LindsayE]

Not a good idea, I know it's hard to explain these types of things from an SEO point of view that the customer understands. You're going to lose all your good reviews that the business has gained. I'm also not sure if you're able to just create a new GMB once you mark the current one permanently closed without changing the NAP. I agree with SEOman10, work on getting some new positive reviews going.

Also, if the review was not left by a real customer can't you report it to Google or no?

[AL123al]

The client has really pushed his clients to write a Google review so think we are going to keep the GMB and push the bad review low. The review was a spam review from a "Local Guide" as the client has not got a record of this person's interaction with the company i.e. he never used their services. The client has flagged it with Google but nothing has been done.

Thanks

[MiriamEllis]

LOL. Funny analogy, EGOL.

[MiriamEllis]

Great topic, AL123al!

I agree with all of the posters who are stating that your client's approach isn't practical. I have a couple of resources I'd recommend you share with the client that should get him up-to-speed on this topic.

1. First, show the client this article on the realities of review spam. It's real, and there are actions you can take. It takes persistence sometimes, but you've got to be hearty in business:

https://moz.com/blog/review-spam

2. Then, show him this second article which details how to handle all types of reviews, from 1-star disasters, to 5-star treasures, to spam:

https://moz.com/blog/mastering-owner-response-quintet-google-my-business-reviews

If you get get the client to sit tight and read through both of those, he should walk away with a completely different (and much better) perspective on dealing with the reality of reviews.

End of the day, attempting to delete a GMB listing is not an answer. The listing could simply come back again, and your client's reputation will follow him wherever he goes. Much better to get the necessary education to deal with all forms of reviews, and move forward confidently.

[AL123al]

Thanks to all.

[mostcg]

In addition to the other recommendations, I would advise you to have the business owner leave a response to the bad review.

1. It shows that the business is active.

2. If the customers that left the review happens to be real, it could potentially mend that relationship.

3. It could lessen the concerns of any potential customers who see the bad review and are put off by it.

-Andrew

[JohnMckillip375]

This is for real ....Miriam definitely you are rockstar

[MiriamEllis]

Thanks, John! Kind of you to say. Reviews happen to be my favorite aspect of Local.

[Njnbiure45r4]

You can delete it from your GMB data. Try to remove all the data of the business and details. just like I did for Bud apk program.