Anonymous Google Reviews allows users to leave comments on companies without revealing their identity. Whether positive or negative, some people prefer anonymity by publishing online reviews.
In this guide, we will explain how you can leave Google’s anonymous review, which means for companies and why some people choose to publish anonymously.
What is Google’s anonymous review?
Anonymous Google Review is feedback in Google’s profile of a company without revealing the identity of the reviewer.
Hidden thought, it can still affect the qualification and visibility of a company. The lack of a clear identity can hinder the verification of the review authority.
Can you leave Google’s anonymous review in 2025?
The official answer is no, but the truth is a bit more confusing. In 2018, Google required users to start subsequent reviews.
However, you can still maintain some anonymity by changing the name associated with your Google account. You can use a false name or eliminate your last name so that your review is less identifiable.
Some users create new Google accounts with false names to remain anonymous. However, Google algorithms can detect suspicious suspicious activities, and this method entails risks.
In 2023 alone, Google reported that it eliminated 45 percent more false reviews than the previous year thanks to its new algorithm.
Why do people leave Google’s anonymous reviews?
Not all Google’s anonymous reviews are trolls or negative sources.
Many people leave anonymous reviews to share honest comments without revealing their identity. These reviews of providing sincere information, which can be valuable for companies that are genuine client opinions.
Using a pseudonym does not always indicate negativity. Some people prefer privacy even when they share a positive experience.

Anonymous reviews can offer useful comments, but also present challenges. Companies must navigate the positive and negative reviews without knowing who left them.
How to leave an anonymous review of Google
This guide shows how it is possible to leave the anonymous reviews of Google. Note that this is not a support of anonymous revisions; It is simply to inform you about the process.
There are two common ways to remain in anonymity by publishing a Google review:
- Change the name of your Google account to a pseudonym or false name
- Create a new Google account under a pseudonym
It is unlikely that most people change their name on their existing Google account, as it goes back to them later. In addition, when your name changes in your account, it is updated in all reviews. If you change it, your original name will appear again.
Creating a new account with a pseudonym is an easier option. This is how you can do it:
Start looking for the business you want to review on Google Maps.

Select the “Add a review“Button on the company’s profile.

If you have not logged down, you will be asked to log in or create a new account. To remain in anonymity, choose “Create an account“And select”For my personal use. ”

Enter the requested details to create a new Gmail address. You can use a false name, such as “John Doe”.

Add a recovery email (you can invent this) and accept Google’s terms and conditions. No verification is required.

After configuring your new account, select a star rating and send your review.

Again, this process is shown only for information purposes. Leaving reviews anonymously is not incoming, and using false names is not ethical.
What do Google’s anonymous reviews mean for companies?
Anonymous reviews represent risks to companies, partly because they allow criticism without responsibility.
A competitor, a discontent employee or troll could easily publish a false negative review under a false identity to damage his reputation.
While anonymous reviews are not inherently bad, their presence creates two key risks for companies:
- Unleashing Google spam detection: Google monitors review patterns and flags suspicious activity. A sudden influx of anonymous or questionable reviews can result in your business being marked for false reviews, potentially damaging its local search classification.
- Impacting the quality of the review: Google reward companies with frequent and high quality positive reviews by increasing their local search classifications. Anonymous reviews can undermine their efforts to build a solid and genuine review profile.
For example, this restaurant with many verified positive criticisms surpasses its competitors. This highlights the importance of clarifying an authentic review profile.

To minimize these risks, companies must encourage the genuine comments of customers and inform suspicious reviews to maintain credibility and improve their local classifications.
How companies should respond to – or report – Google anonymous magazines
Google’s anonymous review can be frustrating, but with the correct answer, it significantly gained its reputation. Here we show you how to handle it:
1. Analyze Google’s anonymous profile
Check the anonymous reviewer profile. If you have left multiple criticisms in different places in a short time, it is a red flag. Genuine reviews include specific details such as personnel names or services. False criticisms tend to be vague or generic.
Or completely mention the wrong business, as in this example.

When detecting patterns thesis, you can handle anonymous reviews more strategically, and even present a solid case for the elimination of a review, if it is Damag for your business.
2. Respond to all reviews
Always respond to positive or negative reviews. A Harvard’s commercial review study shows that the answer can increase new criticism by up to 12%.
For positive anonymous reviews, simply thank the reviewer. For negative reviews, follow these guidelines:
- Do not respond impulsively: Instinctive reactions may seem little professional. Take the time to elaborate a reflexive response.
- Apologize and recognize: Start to recognize comments and apologize for any negative experience, even if the review lacks details.
- Offer a solution: If the review indicates a specific problem, suggest a resolution and sacrifice a way for the revital to communicate with you in private.
These steps show potential customers who handle comments professionally, even when it is vague or negative.

Request more information
If the review is vague, ask the reviewer to provide more details. This shows its commitment to address groups and improve their services.
Some review management tools can sacrifice it to create messages with a suggestion function with AI. That is why the local Semrush Review Management tool developed.

Can you inform Google’s anonymous review?
Google does not eliminate reviews simply because they are anonymous.
To have a review task, you must demonstrate that it violates Google policies, such as false claims, spam or offensive content.
Here we show you how to inform an anonymous review:
- Check the violations: Make sure the real review violates Google’s review policies. Look for false statements, personal attacks or irrelevant content.
- Gather evidence: Take screenshots or key note details to admit your case
- Use Google’s report function: Click on the three points next to the review, select “Report review“And provide a detailed reason

4. Wait for Google’s response: Google generally checks the reports in a few business days. If rejected, you can appeal the decision.
A bad review, Enf if anonymous, does not ruin your reputation. Instead of focusing on the negative, work to gather more positive and authentic criticism. A constant flow of positive reviews will help bury the negatives.
Facing people to share their thoughts by sending text messages or sending an email to a review link or use a QR code in the store.
For example, use the Semrush free tool to generate QR links and codes for your business.

Final thoughts
Google’s anonymous reviews are still common, but understanding how to handle them is key to administering their reputation. Consumers can remain quite anonymous by using pseudonyms or separate accounts. However, it is important to maintain honest and respectful reviews.
For companies, anonymous reviews do not have to be a nightmare. Grant to collect positive reviews of satisfied customers. Tools such as local Semrush review management can help you track reviews, respond quickly and even use AI to create answers. Ultimately, providing excellent service is the best way to build and Mintain a solid online reputation.