Google review policy: dangerous content
Google removes reviews that promote serious harm. That covers content that encourages a dangerous activity, gives directions for one, or is violent and gory for its own sake. In health, the live case is dosing advice posted as a review. A patient describing a side effect is not dangerous content. We report what crosses the line.
Published . Reviewed against Google’s policies on
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P. V.
5 days ago on Google
They would not raise my dose. Here is how to take four times the label dose on your own: [instructions].
Directions for a harmful use of a medicine.
Maria G.
2 weeks ago on Google
Waited 50 minutes past my appointment time and nobody said sorry. I will not be back.
A real patient describing a real wait. Google says not to report a review because you dislike it.
Example. Reviews written by us. Not real reviews.
Short answer
Google removes content that encourages serious physical harm or gives directions for dangerous acts. A separate policy removes violent or gory content meant to shock. Google allows general discussion of things that can be harmful, as long as the content does not promote or direct harmful use. A patient's account of a side effect stays online.
Key facts
Google bars content that facilitates or encourages serious physical harm to health, safety, property, animals or the environment.
Source: Prohibited and restricted content, Google Maps User Generated Content Policy
Google bars instructional content for the creation or preparation of dangerous items.
Source: Prohibited and restricted content, Google Maps User Generated Content Policy
Google allows general discussion of goods or activities that could be harmful, as long as it does not promote or direct harmful use.
Source: Prohibited and restricted content, Google Maps User Generated Content Policy
This rule in 27 seconds
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The rule, in Google's words
Google's Prohibited and restricted content page lists, under dangerous content:
Content that facilitates or encourages serious physical harm to health, safety, property, animals, or the environment.
Content that promotes dangerous activities that could result in serious physical harm to the person committing the act, those around them, or animals.
Content that facilitates misuse of inherently dangerous items.
Instructional content for creation or preparation of dangerous items.
Google also makes room for ordinary talk about risk:
We do allow general discussion about goods, services, or activities that could be harmful or dangerous as long as the discussion does not include promotion of or directions for its harmful use.
The violence and gore policy bars content "intended to be shocking, sensational, or gratuitous".
What this rule does not cover
- Side effects, bad outcomes and fear. These are experiences.
- A warning to other patients to be careful.
- A clinical photo posted to show a result.
Google's report page sets the general limit: "Do not report a review just because you disagree with it or dislike it."
Evidence that supports a report
- The instruction or the encouragement, quoted.
- Why it is harmful. One plain line, such as the labeled maximum dose.
Examples
These examples are ours. They are written to show the rule and are not real reviews. The cards at the top of this page show one review that can qualify and one that stays.
| Review text | Outcome under this policy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| "Here is how to take four times the dose on your own" | Can be reported | Directions for harmful use |
| "Mix it yourself at home, here are the steps" | Can be reported | Instructions for preparing a dangerous item |
| A violent threat against staff | Can be reported | Also harassment, which is the stronger policy |
| "The nausea was awful and I stopped" | Stays online | An experience |
| "Be careful, this drug is strong" | Stays online | General discussion, which Google allows |
How to report it
A business reports a review from its Business Profile or from Google's Reviews Management Tool. Google says evaluation typically takes several days, and each review gets one appeal.
Choose the closest reason in Google's form. These are rare, and clear when they appear. If a review contains a threat to a person, treat it as a safety matter first and a review second.
For health brands
Compounded GLP-1 and hormone care draw home-dosing advice in reviews and replies. It puts readers at risk, so report it whatever the rating. If the writer is also selling the product, the restricted content policy applies too.
Where to go next
The main Google review removal page has the process from report to appeal. The qualification tool checks a review against Google's policies in a few questions.
This is the work behind our Google review removal service. You pay per removal, and the three packs and their prices are public.
Frequently asked questions
No. It is an experience, and Google allows general discussion of things that can be harmful. The policy is about promoting or directing harmful use.
That is a fair case. It gives directions for a harmful use of a medicine. Quote the instruction in the appeal.
Google's violence and gore policy covers content intended to be shocking or gratuitous. A photo of a reaction at an injection site is more likely an experience. Report only the clear cases.
Primary sources used on this page
- Prohibited and restricted content. Google Maps User Generated Content PolicyLast verified
- Report inappropriate reviews on your Business Profile. Google Business Profile HelpLast verified