Google has disabled the local reviews functionality for consumers and business owners. SterlingSky’s Jason Brown first talked about the issue on Friday. Joy Hawkins, also associated with SterlingSky, stated ‘’Any review responses posted right now aren’t publishing live. Same thing with leaving new reviews. None of the reviews I left 5 min ago are publishing.’’
Google Seems To Follow Yelp’s Move
Experts have asked Google for an official comment or clarification and are yet to receive a reply. Yelp has also announced a change in its review guidelines. Yelp stated that it won’t allow reviews of contracting coronavirus from a business or its staff or ‘’negative reviews about a business being closed during what would be their regular open hours in normal circumstances.’’
Why is it important?
Local businesses are highly vulnerable at present, because of the confusion caused by coronavirus and business closures. It appears that Yelp, as well as Google, are trying to check a flood of reviews that are malicious or misleading.
