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Webfluence

GoogleJuly 24, 2026

Reviews: Google goes after fakes and undisclosed perks

Google added a rule on reviews shown on a site: no fake reviews, and no reviews earned with a perk unless you clearly say so.

A review written in exchange for

  • money
  • a discount
  • a voucher
  • a free product

has to say so clearly

What happened, in detail

Before: A review for a gift, with no mention of it

Now: Google can penalize the site

On July 24, Google added a rule to its documentation on reviews and ratings. It bans fake reviews and reviews earned with a perk that isn't disclosed, both on the page and in the code that describes those reviews to Google. Google gives two examples: a review that isn't based on real experience with the product or service, and a review written for money, a discount, a voucher or a free product, with no clear and visible disclosure.

A site that breaks these rules can be penalized by Google's team. Once the problem is fixed, it can ask Google to reconsider.

Where it comes from

What it changes for you

On your site, only show reviews from real customers, and clearly flag any discount offered for a review. On your Google Business Profile, offering a perk for a review is banned.

What to do, and when

  1. This week

    Reread the reviews shown on your site. Remove any that don't come from a real customer.

  2. This month

    If you offer a discount for a review on your site, say so clearly next to the review. On your Google Business Profile, stop offering anything for a review.

  3. Before your next campaign

    Have someone check the code that describes these reviews to Google. The rule applies to it as much as to the page.

Ask ChatGPT, Claude or Perplexity what this means for your business

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