Ep. 43 – How to Handle the Latest Google Reviews Extortion Scheme & Protect Your Online Reputation

Episode Summary

In this week’s Public Relations Declassified livestream, we will be covering how to handle the latest Google reviews extortion scheme and protect your online reputation.

Key takeaways:
• The latest Google reviews extortion scheme is negatively impacting millions of business owners.
• How to effectively remove the fraudulent reviews posted by these extortionists.

Outline:
• What is the Google reviews extortion scheme?
• What’s the solution? (3 steps)
• 4 steps to be proactive and mitigate damage going forward

Merchant extortion report form:
https://support.google.com/business/contact/merchant_extortion

Additional info on Google’s support portal:
https://support.google.com/business/answer/16404809

Barry Schwartz’s article on Search Engine Roundtable:
https://www.seroundtable.com/google-business-profile-report-negative-review-extortion-scams-40250.html

Barry Schwartz’s article on Search Engine Land:
https://searchengineland.com/with-negative-review-extortion-scams-on-the-rise-use-googles-report-form-464515

Jeremy’s PR PSA:
• Your online reputation and the threats against it are constantly evolving, and you need to protect it, on all fronts, and at all times.