Most users across the globe rely on Google Maps and its review system to determine whether a business or restaurant is worth visiting. However, with the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI), many businesses are posting fake or false AI-generated reviews on their Google Business Profiles to lure more customers.
To combat this issue, Google introduced its Fake Engagement policy documents earlier this month for the UK market. The company has now updated this policy globally and started to implement some user-facing penalties.
A screenshot below from an X user named Mike Blumenthal shows that Google will publicly display a warning on a business's Google Maps listing if it is found soliciting fake reviews. Moreover, according to the updated Fake Engagement policy, Google will place certain restrictions on these business organisations.
These restrictions include not being able to receive new ratings and reviews for a specific time and displaying a public warning on the business page about the removal of fake reviews to consumers. It will allow Google Maps users to make more informed decisions when choosing local businesses and services.
We can expect these warnings to expand globally and appear on business listings in Google Maps in the coming weeks. Additionally, businesses or individual users can submit an appeal or report to Google if they believe the business they visited has erroneously evaluated their profile for fake reviews and ratings.
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