You can edit a review you wrote on Google, but only your own — and Google will mark it as edited
Google lets you change the text, photos, or star rating of any review you posted yourself. The process takes less than a minute. However, you cannot delete a review you wrote; you can only edit it down to nothing, and Google will still show it was edited. If you want a review removed entirely, you need to report it to Google as violating their policies, or ask the business owner to request removal on your behalf.
You also cannot change someone else's review of your business directly. If a review about your business is inaccurate or violates Google's rules, you can respond publicly or report it — but the original reviewer is the only person who can actually edit or delete it.
Key Takeaways
- You can edit the text, photos, and rating of your own reviews from your Google account, and the change takes effect immediately.
- Google marks edited reviews with an "Edited" label, so other readers will know the review was changed after you first posted it.
- Deleting your own review is not possible; you can only edit it to remove all text and photos, and it will still appear as edited.
- If a review about your business is false or breaks Google's rules, you can respond publicly or report it, but only the original reviewer can delete it.
- Business owners can request that Google remove a review if it violates policies, but this requires going through Google's reporting system.
How to edit a review you wrote
Open Google Maps or search Google for the business name. Find your review in the reviews section — it will show your profile picture and name. Tap or click the three dots (menu icon) next to your review. Select "Edit review" from the menu that appears.
You can now change your star rating, rewrite the text, add or remove photos, or change any combination of these. When you are finished, tap or click "Update" or "Post" depending on your device. The change appears immediately, and Google adds an "Edited" label below the review so other readers know it was changed after the original post date.
On a computer, the same steps apply: find your review, click the three dots, select "Edit review", make your changes, and click "Update". On a phone, the process is identical whether you use the Google Maps app or the mobile web version.
What happens when you try to delete your own review
Google does not offer a delete button for your own reviews. If you look for the three-dot menu next to your review, you will see "Edit review" and "Report review" — but no delete option. This is by design: Google keeps a record that a review existed, even if you remove all the text and photos.
If you want your review to stop appearing, your only option is to edit it and remove all the text and photos, leaving it blank. The review will still show on the business's page with an "Edited" label, but it will contain no content. Some readers may still see that a review exists there; others may not. The behavior varies depending on how Google's system processes the blank review.
If you posted a review by mistake or want it gone completely, contact Google Support through your Google Account settings. Explain the situation, and Google may remove it if they determine it violates their policies or was posted in error. However, this is not may provide, and Google's response time can be slow.
How to report or respond to a review about your business
If someone posted a review about your business that is inaccurate, fake, or breaks Google's rules, you have two options: respond publicly or report it to Google.
To respond publicly, go to your Google Business Profile, find the review, and click "Respond". Write a reply that addresses the reviewer's concerns or corrects false information. Your response appears directly below the review, and both the reviewer and other customers will see it. This is often the fastest way to handle a review, because it happens immediately and shows other readers your side of the story.
To report the review, click the three dots next to it and select "Report review". Choose the reason it violates Google's policies — for example, if it contains hate speech, spam, off-topic content, or false claims about illegal activity. Google reviews these reports, but they do not always remove reviews even when reported. The original reviewer is the only person who can actually delete the review themselves.
Why Google marks reviews as edited
When you edit a review, Google adds an "Edited" label with the date you made the change. This transparency helps other readers understand that the review has been updated since it was first posted. Someone reading your review can see both that you changed it and approximately when.
The label does not show what you changed — only that a change happened. If you edited the star rating from one star to five stars, the label will not say that; it will only show the current five-star rating and note that the review was edited. This means readers see your current opinion, but they also know it was not your original one.
What you cannot do with other people's reviews
You cannot edit, delete, or directly remove a review written by someone else, even if it is about your business and you believe it is false. You also cannot flag a review as spam or fake just because you disagree with it — Google has specific policy violations it looks for, and disagreement alone is not one of them.
The only person who can change or delete a review is the person who wrote it. If they refuse to do so, your options are to respond publicly (which appears next to their review), report it if it violates a specific policy, or contact Google Support to explain the situation. Google may remove reviews that contain illegal content, hate speech, or verifiable false claims about illegal activity, but the bar for removal is high.
How to find and manage your own reviews
To see all the reviews you have written, open your Google Account, go to "Manage your Google Account", and select the "Reviews" tab. This shows every review you have posted across Google Maps, Google Search, and other Google services. From here, you can click on any review to edit it using the same three-dot menu method described above.
You can also find your reviews by searching for businesses you have reviewed and looking for your name and profile picture in the reviews section. If you have written many reviews, the account method is faster because it shows them all in one place. You can sort by date, rating, or business type to find the review you want to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a review I wrote on Google?
No, Google does not allow you to delete reviews. You can only edit them. If you want your review to disappear, you can edit it to remove all text and photos, but it will still appear on the business's page marked as "Edited". Contact Google Support if you believe the review was posted in error or violates policies.
Will people know I edited my review?
Yes. Google adds an "Edited" label below your review showing the date you made the change. The label does not show what you changed, only that a change was made. Other readers will see your current review and the fact that it was edited.
Can I remove a bad review someone else wrote about my business?
Only the person who wrote it can delete or edit it. You can respond publicly to the review, which appears directly below it, or report it to Google if it violates policies like hate speech or false claims about illegal activity. Google does not remove reviews simply because you disagree with them.
How long does it take for an edited review to show up?
Edited reviews appear immediately on Google Maps and Google Search. You should see your changes within seconds of clicking "Update". There is no waiting period or approval process for edits to your own reviews.
What if a business owner asks me to change my review?
You can edit your review if you choose to, but you are not required to. Your review is your own opinion. If a business owner is pressuring you to change it, that behavior may violate Google's policies, and you can report it.