Thinking of buying Google reviews? Read this first

Buying Google reviews might seem like a quick way to boost ratings, attract customers, and outrank competitors, but it’s a risky shortcut. 

It violates Google’s policies, breaks FTC rules, and can destroy your online reputation overnight. Instead of temporary gains, businesses often face profile suspensions, hefty fines, and lost customer trust. 

In this article, we’ll break down why buying reviews is never worth it and show you the right way to grow with genuine, lasting customer feedback.

Why do businesses buy Google reviews?

Many businesses purchase Google reviews to build trust and credibility like established competitors quickly. 

It is perceived as a shortcut to catch up or address existing issues, rather than investing the time and effort it takes to earn authentic trust.  

1. Boost trust and attract customers faster

Studies show 93% of consumers read online reviews before choosing a local business. A restaurant with 4.5 stars gets way more clicks than one with 3.2 stars, even if the food quality is identical.

Business owners see buying reviews as a fast track to credibility. Instead of waiting months to collect authentic feedback, they want instant social proof that makes their business look established.

2. Rank higher on Google (Local SEO advantage)

Here’s what most people don’t realize: Google’s Local Pack (the top 3 businesses shown on Maps) heavily weights review quantity and ratings. More positive reviews = better visibility in local search results.

A plumbing company ranking #8 in local search might jump to #2 with 50+ new reviews. The temptation is massive when that visibility gap translates to thousands in monthly revenue.

3. Drown out negative reviews or a low reputation

When a business faces a series of negative customer experiences reflected in poor feedback, some owners seek to mitigate the damaging sentiment. 

Generating a large volume of fake positive reviews is a manipulative tactic designed to push the overall rating upward. This tactic aims to falsely portray the business as “the best” despite unresolved underlying service issues.  

3 biggest risks of buying Google reviews 

Before you even think about clicking “Buy Now” on that Fiverr gig or any other review provider, understand what you’re gambling with. These aren’t minor inconveniences; they’re business-ending consequences. 

1. Google Business Profile suspension & review removal

Google’s AI blocked or removed over 240 million fake Google reviews alone. Their machine learning algorithm has gotten scary good at spotting fakes.

When Google catches you (and they will), here’s what happens:

• All your reviews disappear: yes, even the real ones
• Your Business Profile gets suspended: customers can’t find you on Maps
• Recovery takes 2-6 months: if you’re lucky enough to get reinstated
• “Suspected fake reviews” warning label: Currently live in the US, UK, and India, expanding worldwide in 2025

Your business essentially becomes invisible on Google right when you need visibility most.

2. Legal & regulatory penalties

This isn’t just a Google policy violation anymore; it’s a federal crime in many jurisdictions.

The FTC’s new rule allows businesses caught buying fake reviews to be fined up to $51,744 per violation. That single Fiverr purchase could cost you more than buying a new car.

The legal landscape has shifted dramatically:

• Class-action lawsuits from competitors who lost business to your fake reviews
• State-level penalties in places like New York (up to $100,000 per violation)
• Criminal charges in extreme cases of consumer fraud
• Public FTC enforcement actions that damage your reputation permanently

Companies like Fashion Nova and Sunday Riley have already faced federal actions for review manipulation. You don’t want to be next on that list. 

Real-world case: Sitejabber ordered to stop misleading review practices

What happened: The FTC filed an enforcement action against Sitejabber, a review site, for misrepresenting reviews by obtaining input via point-of-sale questionnaires before customers even experienced the product; then displaying those ratings gave the impression that they were product-experience reviews.

3. Loss of customer trust & reputation damage

Here’s the thing about fake reviews: customers can tell. They’re getting smarter at spotting suspicious patterns.

When a customer realizes your reviews are fake, they don’t just leave; they tell everyone. One viral social media post exposing your fake reviews does more damage than 100 negative reviews ever could.

The trust you were trying to build? Shattered. The reputation you wanted to protect? Destroyed. And unlike a Google suspension, you can’t appeal your way out of lost consumer trust.  

Is buying Google reviews illegal?

Absolutely, purchasing Google reviews is both a violation of Google’s policies and a breach of federal law.

Google’s policy violation

Google’s review policy explicitly prohibits: Incentivized reviews, fake reviews, reviews from accounts connected to the business

Engaging in these practices breaches your agreement with Google and can lead to penalties, including the removal of your business profile and all associated reviews.

Federal law violation

Beyond Google’s policies, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the FTC Act Section 5, which prohibits deceptive business practices, including the use of fake reviews.

In August 2024, the FTC finalized its review rules, banning the sale or purchase of fake reviews and testimonials.

Even if there’s clear disclosure, which may meet FTC requirements, offering any form of payment or incentive for reviews still violates Google’s policy against incentivized reviews.  

Real-world Case – Fashion Nova: suppressing negative reviews

Fashion Nova used a third-party system to automatically post four- and five-star reviews while withholding hundreds of thousands of lower-star (negative) reviews from ever being published. 

The FTC charged this as a deceptive practice, and Fashion Nova agreed to a $4.2 million settlement and must now post all reviews (except those that are obscene or unrelated).

How does Google detect fake reviews?

Google’s not relying on manual checks anymore; they’ve built a sophisticated AI system that catches fake reviews faster than ever.

Google’s machine learning algorithm examines daily patterns like reviewers leaving identical reviews on multiple businesses or businesses receiving sudden spikes in reviews.  

Red flags Google’s AI watches for:

• Review velocity spikes: Getting 30 reviews in one week when you normally get 2 per month
• New/suspicious accounts: Profiles created recently with only one review
• Duplicate content: Same or similar review text across multiple businesses
• Geographic mismatches: Reviewer is located 500 miles from your business with no check-in data
• Device and IP patterns: Multiple reviews from the same device or network
• Unnatural language: Generic phrases, excessive keywords, or AI-generated text that lacks specific details
• Review timing clusters: Multiple reviews posted within minutes of each other

Google also uses human reviewers for flagged content and crowdsourced reporting. Businesses caught posting fake reviews may face penalties, including review removal or account suspension.

The system gets smarter every day. What might slip through today will likely get caught tomorrow. 

How to get more Google reviews quickly?

Here’s the good news: earning genuine Google reviews is easier than most business owners think. The secret isn’t buying them, it’s making the process simple and natural for your happy customers. 

Here’s how you can do it: 

• Share a direct review link: Inside your Google Business Profile, you’ll find a “Share review form” link. Copy it and keep it handy. This link sends customers straight to your review page, no searching or extra steps needed.
• Use QR codes for convenience: Convert that Google review link to a QR code and put it somewhere customers can’t miss, on receipts, menus, business cards, table tents, or even at your checkout counter. With one quick scan, they can leave a review in less than a minute.
• Follow up after positive interactions: Timing is key. After a positive customer interaction, a friendly follow-up text or email can be very powerful. 
• Train your team to ask naturally: Your team is critical in requesting reviews. Set your team up for success by training them to ask at the right time, with a gentle ask, such as “if you enjoyed your interaction today, we would very much appreciate if you would share it on Google”

When customers feel sincerely appreciated, they are much more likely to want to write reviews.

How WiserReview helps you get more Google reviews fast

WiserReview helps businesses collect, manage, and display Google reviews easily.

With automated review requests, customizable messages, and smart moderation, it saves you time while boosting your online reputation.

Whether you’re a small store or a large brand, WiserReview makes getting and showcasing customer feedback simple and fast.

1. Automated review requests

WiserReview sends automatic review requests to your customers after a purchase or service.

It works through email, SMS, or WhatsApp to make sure your customers are reminded to leave a review at the right time.

2. Customizable requests

You can adjust the messages to suit your brand’s style.

Whether it’s a thank-you note or a simple reminder, WiserReview gives you the flexibility to create personal requests that feel genuine and encourage responses.

3. Multiple ways to ask for reviews

WiserReview makes it easy to ask for reviews through different channels, such as email, text, WhatsApp, and even QR codes.

This helps you reach customers in the way that works best for them, increasing your chances of getting more reviews.

4. Easy display of reviews

Once you collect reviews, WiserReview helps you display them on your website.

You can use customizable widgets to show positive reviews, build trust with new customers, and encourage more feedback.

5. Simple moderation

WiserReview helps you maintain clean and relevant reviews.

It filters out spam, duplicates, or reviews that don’t add value, so you only show quality feedback on your site.

6. Track and respond quickly

WiserReview lets you track your reviews in real time.

You’ll get notifications when new reviews come in, so you can respond quickly and keep your customers happy.

3 Best practices to collect Google reviews fast

Speed matters, but so does authenticity. Follow these strategies to build a steady stream of genuine Google reviews that actually reward. 

1. Make it effortless for customers to leave a review

Every extra step costs you reviews. Share a direct link via SMS or email right after service, add it to invoices or email signatures, or use a QR code at checkout. 

Tools like WiserReview automate this process, making review collection seamless, especially on mobile, where most reviews happen.

2. Ask at the right moment

Timing is everything. Ask when customers are happiest, right after dining, within 24 hours of a service, or a few days after a healthcare visit. 

WiserReview helps by detecting positive interactions and sending requests at peak moments.

3. Incentivize ethically and follow Google’s guidelines

Never pay for positive reviews. Instead, you can:

• Run loyalty programs that reward engagement generally
• Enter all reviewers (good or bad) into a prize draw
• Thank every customer equally while inviting feedback 

What’s not allowed:

• “Leave us a 5-star review and get 20% off
• Offering rewards only for positive reviews
• Selectively asking only happy customers to review

The smartest strategy? Deliver great experiences. When people are impressed, reviews follow naturally, and tools like WiserReview help you capture them at the right time.

Wrap up

Buying Google reviews might seem like a shortcut to success, but it’s actually a fast track to disaster. The risks, fines, business suspension, and permanent damage to reputation far outweigh any temporary benefits.

The good news? You don’t need to buy reviews to succeed. With the right strategy, you can get more Google reviews than your competitors, reviews that actually stick around and build long-term trust.

Focus on creating remarkable customer experiences, make reviewing effortless, and use smart tools like WiserReview to automate the process. You’ll build a review profile that not only ranks well but also reflects the real value you deliver.