Google has begun prompting searchers with a direct question about whether a business they visited offered rewards in exchange for a review. The in-app dialog reads: “Does this business offer rewards in exchange for reviews?” Search Engine Roundtable reported the behavior, noting it had been live for roughly five months before gaining wider attention.
The prompt is a visible enforcement signal, not a passive filter. Google’s contribution policy explicitly bans merchants from offering payment, discounts, or free goods and services in return for posting any review, including revisions or removal of negative ones. Violations can result in review removal or full listing suspension.
Any local business still running a rewards-for-reviews program should treat this as an immediate compliance risk. If even a single customer flags the dialog, the business record is on Google’s radar. Audit your review solicitation process now, remove any incentive language from your request templates, and document the change.
Reported by Search Engine Roundtable (Barry Schwartz), early June 2026.
