\n<\/p>\n
Google will take firmer action against British businesses that use fake reviews to boost their star ratings on the search giant\u2019s reviews platform. The UK\u2019s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced<\/a> on Friday that Google has agreed to improve its processes for detecting and removing fake reviews, and will take action against the businesses and reviewers that post them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n This includes deactivating the ability to add new reviews for businesses found to be using fake reviews, and deleting all existing reviews for at least six months if they repeatedly engage in suspicious review activity. Google will also place prominent \u201cwarning alerts\u201d on the Google profiles of businesses using fake reviews to help consumers be more aware of potentially misleading feedback. Individuals who repeatedly post fake or misleading reviews on UK business pages will be banned and have their review history deleted, even if they\u2019re located in another country.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Google is required to report to the CMA over the next three years to ensure it\u2019s complying with the agreement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThe changes we\u2019ve secured from Google ensure robust processes are in place, so people can have confidence in reviews and make the best possible choices,\u201d CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell said in a statement. \u201cThis is a matter of fairness \u2013 for both business and consumers \u2013 and we encourage the entire sector to take note.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n