If you’ve recently checked your Google Business Profile and noticed a sudden drop in reviews, you’re not alone. Since Friday, February 9, 2025, businesses across Google Search and Google Maps have reported missing or incorrect review counts. The culprit? A Google bug that’s been causing headaches for local businesses.
But don’t panic just yet—Google has acknowledged the issue, and a fix is already in progress. So, what’s really going on, and how can you stay ahead of the curve? Let’s break it down.
Where Did My Google Reviews Go?
For many businesses, reviews are the lifeblood of their online presence. They boost credibility, trust, and local SEO rankings, so it’s no surprise that companies were quick to notice when 5-star reviews started disappearing overnight.
Some businesses reported losing just a handful of reviews, while others saw dozens vanish. Strangely, some business listings show incorrect review counts but don’t seem to have actually lost any reviews. This inconsistency led to widespread confusion and a flood of complaints across Google Business Profile forums.
SEO expert Barry Schwartz first flagged the issue on Search Engine Roundtable, noting a spike in reports from small business owners and local SEO professionals. Initially, it was unclear whether this was a new feature, an algorithm update, or a simple glitch.
Confirmed: It’s a Bug, Not a Feature
For those fearing a major Google update, there’s good news—this isn’t a ranking change or an intentional feature. Joy Hawkins, a well-known Google contributor and local SEO expert, confirmed that this is a bug affecting Google Business Profiles.
Later, Victoria Kroll from Google made an official statement in the Google Business Profile forums, explaining:
“We’re aware of an issue affecting some Google Business Profiles, causing some profiles to show lower-than-actual review counts due to a display issue. The reviews themselves have not actually been removed. We’re working hard to resolve this and restore accurate review counts as quickly as possible.”
That means your hard-earned reviews aren’t gone forever—they’re just temporarily MIA due to a display glitch.
However, Google also reminded users that some missing reviews may have been removed due to policy violations (such as spam, fake reviews, or inappropriate content). If you think a review was wrongly removed, you can check Google’s Review Policy Guidelines before reporting it.
Why This Matters for Your Business
If you’re wondering whether fewer reviews affect your business, the short answer is yes. Reviews play a major role in:
✔ Local SEO Rankings – More (and better) reviews boost your visibility in Google’s local search results.
✔ Customer Trust & Conversions – Shoppers rely on reviews to decide where to spend their money.
✔ Click-Through Rates (CTR) – Listings with strong reviews get more clicks and engagement.
So, while this bug won’t impact your Google rankings, it might impact your credibility—especially if potential customers see fewer reviews than expected.
The good news? Google is actively fixing the problem, and many businesses are already seeing their review counts return to normal.
Google Rolls Out a Fix—What Happens Next?
As of Tuesday, February 12, 2025, Google began rolling out a fix to restore missing reviews.
📌 What this means for you:
✅ Some businesses are already seeing review counts go back to normal.
✅ Google hasn’t provided a full timeline but is actively resolving the issue.
✅ If your reviews haven’t returned yet, don’t worry—your turn is coming.
What Should You Do?
So, what’s your next move? Here’s what businesses should do while waiting for Google’s fix:
🔍 Monitor Your Google Business Profile – Keep an eye on your review count over the next few days.
🚨 Don’t Panic! – This is a temporary issue, not a ranking penalty or permanent removal.
📜 Check Google’s Review Policies – If a review is gone permanently, it may have violated Google’s guidelines.
📢 Stay Informed – Follow Google’s official forums and SEO news sources for updates.
Your Reviews Are Coming Back
Losing reviews is frustrating, but the good news is this isn’t permanent. Google has acknowledged the problem, is rolling out a fix, and your reviews should be restored soon.
In the meantime, stay patient, keep an eye on your listing, and rest assured that this isn’t a ranking penalty—just an annoying bug that Google is actively squashing.
Need more local SEO tips? Stay tuned for updates, and if your reviews haven’t returned soon, be sure to check your Google Business Profile for any changes. 🚀
