A lot of businesses count on their Google Business Profile to pull in new customers and keep their reputation strong. But, let’s be honest, competitors sometimes play dirty and try to mess with your online presence.
Spotting the warning signs early can make a big difference. If you know what to watch for, you can jump in fast and keep your reputation safe.
1. Sudden drop in Google reviews
Ever notice your reviews just vanish overnight? That’s a red flag.
Competitors might be flagging your legit reviews, and Google sometimes takes them down. Not cool.
You might also see a wave of fake negative reviews right after the drop. That stings.
Keep an eye on your reviews for weird patterns. If you see your numbers tanking for no reason, it’s time to dig deeper.
Check your profile often, reply to real reviews, and report anything fishy to Google.
2. Fake negative reviews appearing
Fake negative reviews can tank your rating in no time. Sometimes, it’s obvious—a bunch of angry, over-the-top comments that don’t even sound real.
Competitors might be behind these, trying to drag you down. If the reviews lack details or come from accounts with no history, be suspicious.
Google lets you report fakes, so don’t let them sit there. Flag them and keep a log of what you see.
When you reply to negative reviews, stay calm and professional. It actually helps show you care, even if the review is bogus.
3. Unauthorized changes to business info
Ever find your address or phone number changed without your say-so? That’s a headache.
Customers might end up at the wrong place, or worse, calling someone else. Lost sales, lost trust.
Competitors sometimes sneak in edits to mess with you. Check your profile for odd updates.
Use Google’s ownership controls and don’t wait to fix mistakes. If you spot something off, fix it and let Google know.
4. Listing marked permanently closed
Imagine your business showing up as “permanently closed.” Yikes.
Competitors can do this to throw off your customers. Suddenly, you’re invisible in search results.
People might think you’ve shut down for good. That’s a big problem.
Check your profile regularly and act fast if you see your listing closed by mistake. The longer it stays closed, the more it hurts.
5. Decreased local search rankings
Suddenly slipping down the local search results? That’s not just bad luck.
Competitors can mess with your info or remove keywords, confusing Google’s algorithm. Your visibility drops, and so do your sales.
If you haven’t changed anything but your ranking tanks, it’s worth looking for sabotage.
Monitor your rankings and look for any weird activity. If things line up, it’s time to investigate.
6. Unexplained removal of photos
Photos disappearing from your profile? That’s sketchy.
Images help customers trust you. If they’re gone, your business looks less appealing.
Competitors might report or remove your photos. Check your profile often to catch this quickly.
Re-upload missing photos and double-check who has access to your account. Always keep backups, just in case you need to restore things fast.
7. Incorrect business hours displayed
Ever had your hours changed without your approval? That can really mess with your day.
If people see you as closed when you’re open, they’ll go elsewhere. Or they might show up when you’re closed—awkward.
Check your hours regularly and fix any unexpected changes. Don’t let competitors or random folks mess with your info.
Google lets others suggest edits, so keep an eye out and stay on top of it.
8. Suspicious user responses on Q&A
The Q&A section is handy, but it’s also a target. Competitors might post misleading or just plain wrong answers.
Sometimes it’s obvious—new accounts, weird info, or stuff that just doesn’t fit. That can confuse your customers.
Watch your Q&A for odd replies. Jump in with the right info and don’t let bad answers linger.
Common Tactics Used by Competitors
Competitors sometimes sneak in fake phone numbers or addresses to throw off your customers.
They might pile on fake negative reviews, hoping to scare people away.
Some even report your business to Google with bogus claims, risking suspension or removal.
A sneaky trick is creating duplicate listings to split your traffic. Suddenly, your real listing is harder to find.
Protecting and Recovering Your Google Business Profile
Stay sharp—keep an eye on your profile so you can spot trouble early. Knowing how to report issues fast is your best defense.
Best Practices for Monitoring Profile Changes
Check your profile often for anything weird. Google Alerts for your business name can help you catch mentions elsewhere.
Use the “Edit History” in Google Business Profile to see what’s changed.
Get a couple of trusted team members on your profile. More eyes, fewer surprises.
Make sure everyone uses strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
Keep a simple log of your business hours, address, and phone number. Compare it to your live profile every week.
It sounds basic, but it’s the fastest way to spot sabotage before it snowballs.
How to Report Suspicious Activity to Google
If you notice unauthorized changes, don’t wait—jump into Google Business Profile support right away. Head over to your profile, hit “Support,” and pick “Report a problem.”
Make sure you spell out exactly what got changed and why it’s not right. Sometimes the smallest detail helps.
You can also hop into the Google My Business Help Community and get some expert eyes on the issue. Upload screenshots or any proof you’ve got—evidence always helps your case.
If things are looking serious or just dragging on, try calling Google directly. It’s not always easy to get a human, but sometimes it’s worth a shot for a faster response.
And hey, keep track of your emails and chats. Having a timeline of what you’ve done can really help if things get messy.
