Big Review Drop on Google! Must-Read GBP Changes for November 2025

Over the last week, especially between November 20–25, 2025, thousands of Google Business Profiles worldwide experienced a sudden and massive drop in reviews. Businesses across multiple industries reported losing anywhere from a few reviews to several hundred — all within a single night.

This issue is global, not limited to any specific industry, country, or business category.

What Businesses Noticed

  • Overnight drop from 200+ reviews to under 100
  • Many lost 5–50 reviews
  • Severe cases lost 100–200+ reviews
  • Competitors in the same area also lost reviews
  • Issue is global and widespread

These patterns indicate that the problem is not due to penalties on specific listings, but something much bigger.

Why This Might Be Happening

1. Google’s Automated Moderation Became Extremely Strict

Google’s AI-driven spam detector has been tightening its filters due to global anti-fraud pressure. Even genuine reviews are being removed if they match certain patterns like:

  • Too many 5-star reviews in a short period
  • Reviews from new accounts
  • Reviews without text
  • Reviews from the same geographic cluster
  • Reviewers with low activity history

A recent study found that:

  • 73% of removed reviews were 5-star
  • Google deletes reviews in large batches, not individually

This matches exactly what happened in November 2025.

2. It Could Be a Google Display Bug

Earlier in 2025, a confirmed bug caused reviews to temporarily disappear even though they were still present internally.

This same pattern is seen again:

  • Reviews visible on reviewer profiles, but missing on the business profile
  • Review counts not matching API numbers
  • Entire batches of old, legitimate reviews not showing
  • Thousands of businesses reporting the same issue at the same time

This strongly indicates a system-wide display glitch.

Why Google Is Getting Stricter

Google is facing increasing pressure worldwide due to:

  • New anti-fake review laws
  • FTC (USA) regulatory actions
  • UK & EU compliance requirements
  • Lawsuits related to review fraud

To avoid penalties, Google is tightening filters — but the system sometimes mistakenly removes genuine reviews.

Signs This Is a System-Wide Problem

  • Affects medical, dental, retail, home services, salons, restaurants, real estate, gyms, etc.
  • Competitors also lost reviews
  • Timing matches previous system glitches
  • Reviewers can still see their review on their own profile
  • Batches vanish across many listings simultaneously

All signs indicate Google’s system issue — NOT a penalty against your business.

What You Should Do Next

1. Document Everything

Take screenshots of:

  • Current total review count
  • Latest reviews
  • Google Business dashboard
  • Insights and any changes

Repeat this daily until the issue is resolved.

2. Track Reviews in a Spreadsheet

Maintain a log with:

  • Reviewer name
  • Date
  • Review content
  • Star rating

This helps you stay prepared for future issues.

3. Check Competitors

If their reviews also dropped → it’s a global system issue.

4. Check Reviewer Profiles

  • If their review still appears in their profile but not on your business → Google bug
  • If the review is gone entirely → Google moderation removal

5. Don’t Ask Customers to Repost Yet

During active purges or bugs, re-posted reviews may also get deleted.

6. Don’t Flood Google Support

Multiple tickets may trigger additional suspicion.
Create only one support ticket, if necessary.

7. Grow Reviews Slowly

Maintain natural growth:

  • Small business: 2–5 reviews/week
  • Medium business: 3–10 reviews/week

Avoid sudden spikes that trigger moderation.

8. Diversify Review Platforms

Don’t depend only on Google. Encourage customers to review on:

  • Facebook
  • Yelp
  • Trustpilot
  • Industry-specific sites

9. Respond to All Visible Reviews

Google tends to trust profiles that actively engage with customers.

Final Summary

  • This is a global issue affecting thousands of Google Business Profiles.
  • Likely caused by a mix of strict moderation + display bugs.
  • Many reviews may return automatically once the glitch is fixed.
  • Continue with slow, steady, natural review growth.
  • Document everything and avoid any sudden changes.

Google’s review system is becoming stricter due to regulatory pressures, so staying compliant and consistent is the safest long-term strategy.