What is Google Review Policy?
The Google review policy is the rulebook governing reviews on Business Profiles. It prohibits fake or purchased reviews, reviews written by the owner or employees, incentives in exchange for reviews (discounts, gifts, cashback), review gating that filters out unhappy customers, and off-topic or abusive content. Violations can get reviews deleted, ratings suppressed, or in serious cases the whole profile suspended.
Indian businesses most often stumble on incentives — offering "5-star review par 10% discount" is a direct violation, even though it is common practice locally — and on bulk reviews from staff phones sharing one shop Wi-Fi, which Google's filters catch easily. What is allowed: asking every customer for an honest review, making it easy with a QR code or link, and reminding them once. Honest volume wins long-term.