Google’s Review Count Bug Leaves Businesses Frustrated

A strange bug has been affecting Google reviews since Friday, February 7th, causing widespread panic among small businesses and local SEO professionals. 

Many businesses woke up to find some of their hard-earned reviews missing, while others noticed significant drops in their review count. 

But before assuming the worst, here’s what’s actually happening.

What’s Happening with Google Reviews?

Since the issue surfaced, forums and discussion boards have been flooded with concerns from business owners. Some businesses reported losing just one or two reviews, while others saw dozens disappear.

The biggest question remains—are the reviews actually being deleted, or is this a technical glitch?

Barry Schwartz analyzed the issue and found that reviews are not necessarily being removed. Instead, they seem to be hidden or miscounted. 

JC Wilkins, an active forum contributor, pulled data from Google’s API and a scraping tool, revealing that the reviews still exist but are not being displayed properly.

Victoria Kroll, a representative from Google, eventually acknowledged the issue in the Google Business Profile forum:

Bug Fix Now Rolling Out

As of February 11, 2025, Google has begun deploying a fix for the review count bug. Many business owners and local SEO professionals are noticing gradual improvements, with review counts starting to climb back up.

Users in the Google Business Profile forums have shared their experiences:

While the fix is underway, some businesses are still experiencing partial restorations. Google has not specified an exact timeframe for full recovery, but based on user reports, most businesses should see their review counts normalize within the next day or so.

Why Google Reviews Matter More Than Ever

Online reviews can make or break a business in today’s digital world. Studies show that nearly 98% of consumers read reviews before making a purchase, and 87% trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. 

Simply put, businesses live and die by their Google reviews.

Google Business Profiles are a key part of local marketing, and having a strong review count boosts credibility. 

A glitch like this, even if it’s temporary, creates uncertainty for businesses and customers alike.

Has This Happened Before?

Unfortunately, yes. Google has faced similar issues in the past. In 2022, a technical glitch caused numerous reviews to disappear, leaving businesses in limbo. 

.@dannysullivan @GoogleMyBiz This bug seems serious & was reported to your team on 11/8

We still have no word as to how to handle it, what the business should do

I had business calling me at home on Sunday literally crying in the phone over their lost business

Advice? https://t.co/0K84WQqznE

— Mike Blumenthal (@mblumenthal) November 15, 2022

Google later admitted that an algorithm update mistakenly flagged legitimate reviews as spam. Some were restored, but others were lost permanently.

Google has also been cracking down on fake and spammy reviews, removing thousands each year. 

While this improves the authenticity of reviews, there have been instances where genuine reviews got caught in the crossfire.

What Business Owners Should Do Right Now

While waiting for Google to sort this out, here’s how businesses can stay ahead of the issue:

Monitor Your Profile: Keep an eye on your review count and document any changes.

Communicate with Customers: Let your customers know that any review count drops are due to a technical glitch, not actual review removals.

Keep Encouraging Reviews: New reviews are still being added correctly, so continue asking happy customers for feedback.

Follow Google’s Updates: Stay tuned to Google’s GBP forum for real-time information.

Check Google’s Review Guidelines: Ensure that your reviews follow Google’s policies to avoid legitimate ones being flagged.

Key Takeaways

• Google’s review glitch is a display issue, not a deletion. Reviews are still there but aren’t showing correctly.
• The bug has been affecting businesses since February 7th. Many small business owners and SEOs are seeing review counts drop.
• Google acknowledges the problem but hasn’t provided a timeline. The fix is in progress, but there’s no set resolution date.
• Past incidents raise concerns about Google’s review policies. Some previous issues led to permanent review losses.
• Businesses should stay patient and informed. Monitoring profiles, communicating with customers, and following updates is key.