Buying Google Reviews : a really bad idea !

Are you lacking 5 star Google reviews ? Your competitors seem to collect them easily, while you struggle to ask customers for feedback ?

It’s frustrating. We understand. Especially knowing that 93 % of internet users read online reviews before making a purchase !

👉 This is why some people give in to the temptation of buying fake Google reviews ! But in 2025, this strategy is a trap : real Google reviews are what truly matter.

Google tracks fake reviews using AI, the law punishes them severely and potential customers spot them quickly. Fortunately, there are 100 % legal ways to collect Google reviews without cheating !

And that is exactly what we offer : discover how to get hundreds of real positive reviews without ever buying them with [Up Review].

What you need to remember if you are considering buying fake reviews

• Illegal ! You risk up to €300,000 in fines and 2 years in prison for deceptive commercial practices.
• Google can delete your Google Business Profile permanently (without notice) : loss of all your customer ratings.
• Visitors easily spot fake Google reviews and will not hesitate to damage your establishment’s reputation.
• Most fake reviews are deleted by Google : 170 million in 2023 (Do not take the risk !)
• A solution like Up Review allows you to collect verified comments without ever breaking the rules.

👉 [See how McDonald’s gained +1704 Google reviews in 6 weeks thanks to Up Review contest games]

Buying Google reviews : what it really means 

Most websites that claim to sell Google reviews are actually offshore platforms with no legal notice and no terms and conditions !

Many business owners report having paid, sometimes a lot, without ever seeing the promised reviews appear. And when they do exist, these sites deny all responsibility if the comments are deleted or if the Google Business Profile is penalized.

Buying fake reviews often means paying for nothing !

How much does buying Google reviews cost ? 

Prices vary widely :

Why fake Google reviews are dangerous 

Before even talking about legality, you must understand that fake reviews provide no long term value for your visibility.

👉 Google values regularity and authenticity more than artificial volume.

Before even talking about legality, you must understand that fake reviews provide no long term value for your visibility.

👉 Google values regularity and authenticity more than artificial volume.

Here is why :

Poor comments : fake online reviews are very short, generic and contain neither keywords nor details about your services. They do not strengthen your Google Business Profile ranking.

No local search intent : fake reviews do not reflect a real customer experience, do not mention your geographic area or your real services, which prevents you from appearing in the Google Local Pack.

Suspicious influx : a large number of positive reviews posted in a short period triggers alert signals, the typical sign of buying fake Google reviews. It can lead to demotion, suspension or even permanent deletion of your Google listing.

In summary : not only do you pay for ineffective reviews, but you also increase your risk of sanctions and weaken the trust of your prospects.

In reality, relying on purchased reviews means investing in a strategy that collapses at the first detection.

Google monitors the reliability of reviews and frequently performs massive waves of bans. Fake Google reviews never last, they may give a temporary effect, but they are always removed.

Why Google reviews are essential for your visibility 

When all your reviews are sincere and truly written by real customers, they have far more impact on improving your Google ranking and strengthening your online reputation.

For example : when someone searches “butcher Nantes”, Google first displays three businesses in the Local Pack. To appear there, your business must prove credibility through a continuous flow of real customer reviews.

To maximize this flow, set up simple reminders at purchase or departure to encourage customers to leave reviews regularly.

Google’s algorithms consider :

• Review frequency : regular collection demonstrates that your business is active and trustworthy.
• Content quality : detailed feedback mentioning your products, services or location strengthens the relevance of your listing.
• Variety of testimonials : different customers, with verifiable profiles, weigh more than stereotypical comments. Positive and critical reviews both enrich your profile !

The benefits are immediate :

• Reassure prospects : with a rating above 4 out of 5, you inspire confidence in most users and increase your chances of conversion.
• Improve local ranking : according to a Whitespark 2023 study, reviews are the second most important factor for ranking businesses in the Local Pack.

👉 In short, by inviting your customers to leave a review, you get more authentic and durable feedback than fake reviews could ever offer. 

What you risk when buying fake Google reviews 

1) Heavy legal penalties 

In France, buying or publishing fake reviews is considered a deceptive commercial practice and is punished by several articles of the Consumer Code (including L.132-2 and L.121-1).

Since the European Omnibus Directive (2019/2161) came into force, article L.111-7-2 also requires businesses to guarantee that each published review reflects a real experience.

In March 2025, a ruling by the Paris Court of Appeal confirmed the joint responsibility of an anonymous author and a platform that published fraudulent reviews. In addition, the DGCCRF can now detect fake reviews much more easily thanks to “Polygraphe".

Buying or posting fake reviews exposes you to :

• A fine of up to €300,000
• A 2 year prison sentence for executives

Real cases :

• In 2021, the company Bistrobis was fined €30,000 for buying fake reviews.
• In 2023, Google sued a fraudster who sold more than 14,000 fake reviews to 350 different clients.

Consumers today have an official channel to report such practices : Signal.conso.gouv.fr, which allows them to report fake reviews and deceptive practices directly to the authorities. 

2) Penalized or deleted Google listing 

Google applies a zero tolerance policy toward fraudulent reviews. According to its official rules :

• Content intended to manipulate a business rating is prohibited
• Non authentic reviews are removed without notification
• Google Business Profile listings may be disabled or banned in case of repeated violations

👉 Losing your listing ? That means disappearing from Google Maps, losing traffic, prospects and new customers !

3) Destructive bad buzz for your online reputation 

Unhappy customers are not the only ones who speak up. Spontaneous comments often expose fake reviews or comments that lack real context.

Moreover, consumers know how to spot fake reviews, especially when a generic comment appears among genuine evaluations.

According to  Brightlocal :

• 50 % of customers have already identified a fake review
• 45 % distrust Google ratings

A very negative review can appear more credible than an obviously exaggerated positive one !

Here are the most common red flags for consumers :

• The review is generic or excessively flattering
• The profile is anonymous or uses a suspicious pseudonym
• No personal detail or real context in the comment
• The same writing style appears in several reviews
• The profile has no photo or has never posted any other reviews

These signals increase distrust and can damage your reputation more than sincere criticism.

It is better to have a real and moderate review than a fake perfect rating. A single suspicious signal can trigger a bad buzz on social networks, forums or through public comments exposing manipulation.

👉 Result : your online reputation becomes weakened. You lose customer trust and face growing dissatisfaction. 

How Google detects fake five star Google reviews 

Google is improving its algorithms to scan Google reviews, especially purchased reviews.

In 2024, Google removed more than 240 million fake reviews and disabled nearly 12 million business listings suspected of manipulating their ratings, according to Search Engine Land.

To detect fraud, Google combines :

• Artificial intelligence to analyze the content of comments
• Geolocation to verify the real presence of the author near the business
• Profile history analysis, suspicious behavior and posting frequency
• IP address inspection : foreign IPs or proxies raise suspicion

Common alert signals include :

• A series of positive reviews posted within a short period
• Comments written in a generic or stereotyped pattern, with no relevant content
• No photos, no history, empty profile or a one time reviewer

Up Review , the 100 % legal alternative to buying fake Google reviews 

Buying Google reviews ? Too risky. With Up Review, getting many reviews becomes incredibly easy.

👉 Our solution ? A contest game in the form of a prize wheel.

Measurable results among many clients :

• McDonald’s : +1,700 Google reviews collected, rating increased from 2.8 to 3, and over 3,300 customer contacts gathered for 8 franchise restaurants
• Marie Blachère : +440 reviews in 30 days, rating at 4.6
• Maison Ravenel : +6,000 Google reviews, rating increased from 4.1 to 4.6

A prize wheel contest to collect authentic Google reviews !

The process is simple (and incredibly effective) :

1. The customer scans a QR code on a support to join the game.
2. They leave a Google review to access the wheel.
3. They spin the wheel and discover the gift they have won.
4. They return on their next visit to collect their reward.

👉 Result : most reviews on your listing become positive, while the percentage of negative Google reviews remains low or even nonexistent.

What you can customize :

• The visual design of your wheel (your colors, your brand identity)
• The rewards (discounts, free products, exclusive benefits…)
• The winning probability for each prize

Why does it work so well ? Because customers love to play !

The prize wheel turns a simple review request into a fun and 100 % winning experience. They engage, leave a comment, then win a reward to use during their next visit.

Result : they come back to redeem it. You collect customer reviews while building loyalty.

And most importantly : it is 100 % compliant with Google’s rules and European laws. No cheating, no risk. Just a smart, playful and profitable strategy.

Do not give in to the temptation to buy Google reviews. With Up Review, Google reviews work for you !

👉 [Create your personalized contest game today and multiply your Google reviews.]

Want to reach 4.5 stars on your Google listing ? Or go from 3.8 to 4.2 ?

Good news : you can know exactly how many five star reviews you need to get there !

👉 [Try our Google reviews calculator for FREE]

FAQ : How to buy Google reviews

How does buying Google reviews work ?

Buying Google My Business reviews means paying a provider to publish one or several positive comments on your listing. It can also be used to harm a competitor by paying for fake negative reviews (and therefore lowering their rating !).

Is it legal to buy Google reviews ?

No. It is a deceptive commercial practice prohibited by the European Omnibus Directive. It exposes you to a €300,000 fine and up to 2 years in prison.

Does Google automatically detect fake reviews ?

Yes. Google uses algorithms based on geolocation, IP address and text analysis to identify suspicious profiles. In 2023, Google removed more than 170 million fake reviews and suspended thousands of listings.

Who can delete a Google review ?

Only Google can delete a review if it violates its rules… but you can help them !

To request the removal of a Google review, look at our dedicated article just above.

Is it possible to buy geolocated Google reviews ?

In theory, some sellers claim to offer it. But in practice, you have no control over the location or IP address used. Such reviews are deleted quickly by Google.

What are the risks linked to fake Google reviews ?

Beyond legal sanctions, you risk the deletion of your listing, loss of credibility and reputation, and a long term decrease in visibility on Google Maps.

Where can you buy Google reviews ?

Nowhere legally. Sites that sell this kind of service are illegal, short lived (often disabled or deleted) and offer no safety or verification during purchase.

How can you get lots of Google reviews for free ?

Ask your satisfied customers !

Google users trust authentic feedback far more. With a solution like Up Review, you can collect customer reviews easily and encourage customers to leave positive feedback.

How can you boost your restaurant’s Google listing ?

Improve your Google listing, build a review strategy, and use playful actions like Up Review’s contest games to generate a high volume of authentic reviews… but above all, download our tips to become number one on Google as a restaurant.

Nathanaël Butet, for the Up Review team ❤️