You can delete a Google review you wrote, but the process depends on where you posted it
If you left a review on Google Maps, Google Search, or a business's Google Business Profile, you can remove it yourself in most cases. Google keeps your reviews tied to your account, so you can find and delete them from any device where you're signed in. The review disappears from the business's page within a few hours, though it may take longer to vanish from search results and cached versions.
The steps are straightforward, but they differ slightly depending on whether you're on a phone or computer, and whether you're deleting the review when ready or months later. You'll need to be signed into the same Google account you used to post the review.
Key Takeaways
- You can delete your own Google review from your account settings on any device, and it disappears from the business page within hours.
- On a phone, open Google Maps or Search, find the review under "Your contributions," and tap the trash icon; on a computer, the process is the same but uses your mouse instead.
- If you want to keep the review but change what you wrote, you can edit it instead of deleting it — Google will show it was edited, but the old version won't appear.
- Deleted reviews may still show up in Google's cache or in screenshots for a few days, but they will not appear on the live business page.
- If someone else posted a review about you or your business, you cannot delete it yourself — you must report it to Google or ask the business owner to do so.
How to delete a review on your phone
Open Google Maps or the Google Search app on your phone and sign in with the account that posted the review. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Your contributions." You'll see a list of all your reviews, ratings, and photos.
Find the review you want to remove and tap it to open it. At the bottom of the review, you'll see a trash icon (or three dots, depending on your phone's version of the app). Tap the trash icon or the three dots, then select "Delete review." Google will ask you to confirm — tap "Delete" again, and the review is gone.
How to delete a review on a computer
Go to Google Maps or Google Search in your web browser and sign in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Your contributions." You'll see the same list of reviews, ratings, and photos you see on your phone.
Click on the review you want to delete. A small menu will appear with options including "Delete." Click "Delete," and Google will ask you to confirm. Click "Delete" again, and the review is removed from the business page.
What happens after you delete a review
The review disappears from the business's Google Maps page and Google Search results within a few hours. However, Google's cache — a stored copy of web pages — may still show the old version of the page with your review for a few days. If someone took a screenshot of your review before you deleted it, that screenshot will still exist on their device or in their messages, but it won't be visible to new people searching for the business.
The business owner will see that a review was removed, but they won't know who deleted it or why. If you want the business to understand your reason for removing the review, you can contact them directly.
Editing a review instead of deleting it
If you want to change what you wrote but keep the review visible, you can edit it instead. Open your review the same way you would to delete it — through "Your contributions" in your profile. Instead of clicking "Delete," click "Edit." You can change your rating, rewrite your text, or add new information.
When you save an edited review, Google marks it as "Edited" with a timestamp so readers know it was changed. The old version of your review will not appear anywhere — only the new version will show on the business page and in search results.
If you can't find the review you want to delete
If you remember posting a review but can't find it in "Your contributions," it may have been removed by Google for violating their review policies. Google automatically deletes reviews that contain hate speech, personal attacks, spam, or false claims about the business. You'll usually receive an email explaining why the review was removed.
Another possibility is that you posted the review under a different Google account. Check whether you're signed into the account you used when you left the review. If you have multiple Google accounts, you may need to sign out and sign back in with the correct one.
Reporting a review posted about you or your business
You cannot delete a review that someone else posted, even if it's false or harmful. However, you can report it to Google. Open the review and look for a flag icon or three-dot menu. Select "Report review," then choose the reason — such as "Spam or fake review," "Offensive," or "Illegal content." Google reviews these reports and removes reviews that violate their policies.
If you own the business, you can also respond to negative reviews directly through your Google Business Profile. Your response appears next to the review and gives you a chance to address the customer's concerns publicly. This is often more effective than trying to remove the review, because it shows potential customers that you take feedback seriously.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a deleted review to disappear from Google search results?
The review vanishes from the business's Google Maps page within a few hours. Search results and Google's cached pages may take a few days longer to update. If you want to speed this up, you can use Google Search Console to request that Google re-crawl the page, but this is usually not necessary.
Can I delete a review I posted years ago?
Yes. As long as you're signed into the account that posted the review, you can delete it no matter how old it is. Open "Your contributions," find the review, and delete it the same way you would delete a recent review.
What if I deleted a review by mistake?
Google does not have an undo feature for deleted reviews. Once you delete a review, it's gone. You can post a new review if you want to share your experience again, but it will appear as a new review with today's date, not the original date you posted it.
Will the business owner know I deleted my review?
The business owner will see that a review was removed from their page, but they won't know who deleted it or why. If you want them to understand your reason, you'll need to contact them directly through their website or phone number.
Can I delete a review if I'm not signed into my Google account?
No. You must be signed into the same Google account that posted the review. If you're on a shared device, make sure you sign out of other accounts first so you don't accidentally delete someone else's review.