- Google is expanding enforcement of its Fake Engagement policy for businesses.
- Businesses caught manipulating the process will face numerous consequences.
- Those extend to a public warning letting users know about fake reviews.
Fake reviews are the bane of businesses and shoppers alike, unfairly interfering with competition, and making it difficult to make informed decisions. Understandably, companies like Google that manage boatloads of business listings are very interested in doing what they can to minimize the impact of these disruptive forces. Recently, it looks like Google has started a bit of a crackdown on the practice, updating businesses about its Fake Engagement policy and starting to implement some user-facing penalties.
Earlier this month, Search Engine Roundtable reported on a change to Google’s notification about its Fake Engagement policy, informing businesses about the potential consequences for being caught soliciting fake reviews: