Google’s recent actions in deleting reviews—primarily 5-star ratings—highlight the platform’s efforts to maintain review authenticity and combat fake feedback. A study analyzing millions of reviews across thousands of businesses revealed that 73.1% of deleted reviews were 5-star ratings, indicating Google’s crackdown on incentivized or untrustworthy reviews.

For moving companies, this underscores the importance of fostering genuine customer feedback and engaging with reviews. Notably, 66.1% of deleted reviews lacked business responses, emphasizing that replying to reviews can not only build customer trust but also help safeguard your reputation.

Key recommendations for moving companies include:

• Responding to all reviews: Engage thoughtfully with both positive and negative feedback.
• Avoiding incentivized reviews: Focus on organically earned feedback to ensure long-term trust.
• Encouraging detailed reviews: Specific, authentic customer experiences are less likely to be flagged.

Staying informed about Google’s policies and algorithm updates is crucial to navigating these changes. By prioritizing authentic engagement and proactive reputation management, moving companies can strengthen their online presence and maintain customer trust in a competitive market.