Google has started emailing users when a review they submitted to a Google Business Profile is not published, according to Search Engine Roundtable. The notice reads: “Review not posted: Thank you for your contribution. Unfortunately, we’re not able to publish it at this time.” It adds that automated systems removed the content because it “may not follow our Maps content policies.” Amy Toman and Vinay Toshniwal both flagged the change on LinkedIn, with Toshniwal posting screenshots of the appeal screen; a matching notice now shows in the Maps web interface too. The emails began earlier in the week and drew broad notice on July 23.
The notice grants an appeal, a second assessment of the removed review. Barry Schwartz points out that reviewers have little reason to use it. A business hoping a legitimately filtered five star review comes back cannot file that appeal itself. Only the reviewer holds that option, and most will not bother.
Search Engine Roundtable, reported by Barry Schwartz on July 23, 2026.
