A similar thing already exists today but in some ways it's worse because the economic harm can come from anyone with a grudge against you.
Introducing, Google Maps Review in 2026.
Anyone can say almost any type of slander about your business without even being a customer. If you report it to Google, the burden of proof is on you to show that they violated a policy.
How can you prove that a review came from a personal grudge vs a genuine review of the business? Sure you can say that you have no record of that reviewer, but how do you prove it? Google rejects nearly all such reports and appeals without giving any reason.
A Google Map "review" is more like a public messaging board where anyone can write whatever they want and as long as it appears loosely related to the business it'll be nearly impossible for the business owner to take down.
I think the best thing that business owners can do is take matters into their own hands by showing genuine reviews on their own site.
Introducing, Google Maps Review in 2026.
Anyone can say almost any type of slander about your business without even being a customer. If you report it to Google, the burden of proof is on you to show that they violated a policy.
How can you prove that a review came from a personal grudge vs a genuine review of the business? Sure you can say that you have no record of that reviewer, but how do you prove it? Google rejects nearly all such reports and appeals without giving any reason.
A Google Map "review" is more like a public messaging board where anyone can write whatever they want and as long as it appears loosely related to the business it'll be nearly impossible for the business owner to take down.
I think the best thing that business owners can do is take matters into their own hands by showing genuine reviews on their own site.