WHY GOOGLE IS DELETING REVIEWS AT RECORD LEVELS

Summary from the TLDR Marketing newsletter

Google has been removing reviews at unprecedented rates due to automated moderation, incentivized review enforcement, and local regulations. The deletions have affected both negative and positive reviews, with patterns varying by industry, geography, and review age. Restaurants and retail have seen retroactive removals, while medical and home services experienced early deletions, often targeting five-star reviews. English-speaking markets rely on AI-driven enforcement, while Germany emphasizes legal takedowns. These trends risk eroding trust and distorting data, making review monitoring essential for local SEO.