KwikChex has launched a campaign to help tackle the problems created by rogue posters using Google Map Reviews. Many reputable businesses are being attacked online by fake, malicious and unfair reviews – and then they experience severe difficulties in getting them removed or even responding effectively to them, which is resulting in financial losses in many cases. The map reviews are also being used by dishonest businesses and scammers posting fake good reviews to dupe consumers.
It is just too easy to abuse the Google Review system and too difficult for most businesses to resolve and although KwikChex has been very successful in removing fake reviews for members and Google have sped up their responses to KwikChex fake review reports, the real solution required is for Google to make improvements that help authenticate reviews. If they can’t get more honesty into the system then the only way that reputable businesses and consumers can be better protected is for Google to withdraw their own review resource completely.
A KwikChex spokesperson said “Whilst we have been able to help businesses with this problem, it is not fair that they are having to pay to address flaws that Google are responsible for. We would rather be focusing on our core services, which are authenticating and promoting reputable businesses.”
The campaign has been set up on Google Groups and is called Google Maps Review – Improve Or Remove. Businesses wishing to join can visit KwikChex.com, click on ‘Fake Reviews’ and link to the campaign.
