Google’s New Protection Against Review Extortion Scams

Google has introduced a new support process designed to combat a growing issue affecting thousands of businesses: review extortion scams. These scams have been increasing over the past few years, often leaving businesses feeling helpless as unearned negative reviews appear and threats follow shortly after. With this update, Google is finally providing a clearer pathway for businesses to report fraudulent behaviour and get support faster.

At the heart of the issue is a simple but damaging tactic. A business suddenly receives a wave of suspicious one-star reviews on their Google Business Profile. Soon after, scammers reach out via email, SMS, or social media demanding payment or free products in exchange for removing the reviews. Businesses used to have little recourse, often stuck waiting for Google to respond to general review flags and many requests were denied due to lack of evidence or context.

Google’s new process aims to solve this by introducing a dedicated reporting form specifically for review extortion attempts. Instead of using the general “Flag a review” option, businesses can now submit evidence directly to Google’s fraud prevention team. This evidence may include screenshots of threatening messages, timestamps, and any communication that shows an attempt at extortion. The change may seem small, but it’s a significant upgrade in how Google handles these cases.

One of the most important pieces of Google’s guidance stresses that businesses should never respond to scammers. Engaging often escalates the situation, giving scammers leverage and increasing the likelihood of repeated attacks. The safest path is to document everything, avoid communication, and submit a formal report using the new process. Google will then review the case using a mix of manual checks and automated fraud detection systems.

This update is especially meaningful for small businesses, who often rely heavily on their Google Business Profile for credibility and customer acquisition. In the past, businesses faced misinformation, review bombing, and fraudulent claims with little clarity on how to respond. With the new reporting structure, Google is acknowledging that review extortion is not just an annoyance.  It’s a serious threat to online reputation and business integrity.

Another major benefit is speed. While Google hasn’t shared the exact enforcement timeline, the dedicated form is expected to streamline how cases are assessed, reducing the back-and-forth that previously slowed down the removal of fraudulent reviews. For legitimate businesses trying to protect their reputation, this clarity alone is a major improvement.

Authenticity has always been a cornerstone of online reputation. This move by Google reinforces that commitment. By recognising review extortion as a legitimate and reportable threat, businesses now have a stronger safety net and clearer guidance on how to protect themselves. As digital trust becomes more valuable, these types of protections are becoming essential.