If you’ve noticed that Google reviews you wrote under your name no longer appear in Google Search results, you’re not alone. Many users have experienced this change, as Google has updated how it indexes and displays review-related content from Google Maps. While your reviews are still publicly visible on your Google Maps profile, they may no longer show up when searching for your name directly on Google Search.
This article explores why this happens and what steps you can take to fix it.
Why Google No Longer Indexes Reviews in Search
A few years ago, when you searched your full name on Google, your Google Maps review profile (or reviews you wrote for specific places) would often show up in the results. However, this has changed due to several reasons:
1. Google’s Search Indexing Updates
Google frequently updates its search algorithms and indexing policies to improve user experience and security. One of the recent changes includes limiting the visibility of user-generated content, such as reviews, from personal profiles in Google Search.
2. Privacy and Data Protection Concerns
Google has been tightening privacy measures to protect user data. Making individual review profiles less searchable prevents personal information from being easily accessible through search engines, reducing the risk of data scraping and misuse.
3. Google Maps Reviews Are Now Separated from Search Indexing
Previously, Google indexed Google Maps review profiles similarly to other web pages, but this is no longer the case. Google Maps reviews are now treated as in-app content, meaning they are primarily accessible only within Google Maps itself, not through standard web searches.
4. Public Profile Visibility vs. Search Visibility
Even though your Google Maps profile is set to public, that doesn’t guarantee it will be indexed in Google Search. Google has removed many individual user profiles from search results while keeping them available within Google Maps.
How to Check If Your Google Reviews Are Still Publicly Visible
Even if your reviews don’t appear in Google Search, they may still be accessible within Google Maps. To check:
- Go to Google Maps (maps.google.com).
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner and select Your contributions.
- Ensure your profile is set to public by clicking on “Profile settings” and verifying that “Show contributions on your profile” is enabled.
- Open an incognito/private browser window and visit your public profile link (e.g.,
https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/YOUR_USER_ID). - If your reviews are visible there, they are still public but just not indexed in search results.
How to Fix It: Getting Your Google Reviews Back in Search
Although Google’s policy changes mean that reviews may not show up in search results as they used to, here are some ways to improve their visibility:
1. Manually Share Your Google Maps Profile
Since Google no longer automatically indexes review profiles, you can create a public link to your reviews and share it elsewhere.
- Copy your Google Maps contributions link and share it on your website, blog, LinkedIn, or other platforms.
- Example:
https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/YOUR_USER_ID - Posting your review profile URL in other indexed websites (like personal blogs or forums) may increase its chances of appearing in search results.
2. Post Reviews Under a Business or Website Profile
If your goal is to build a visible online presence, consider linking your reviews with a Google Business Profile or using a website with strong SEO (such as a blog).
- If you own a business, replying to reviews through your business account increases visibility.
- If you have a website, consider embedding or quoting your Google reviews in blog posts or articles.
3. Use Your Name in Public Online Content
If your concern is that your name isn’t appearing in Google results as much as before, create new public content under your name that Google can index, such as:
- Blog posts on Medium, WordPress, or your website
- Social media profiles (LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram) with publicly visible content
- Commenting on blogs, forums, or public discussions using your full name
4. Submit a Reindexing Request to Google
If you have created new content that links to your Google Maps reviews and want Google to recognize it, you can submit a request to Google to reindex your content:
- Visit Google Search Console (https://search.google.com/search-console)
- Click on URL Inspection
- Enter the URL of your Google Maps review profile or any related page
- Click Request Indexing
This may not work immediately, but it can help Google recognize new content associated with your name.
Key Takeaways
- Google has stopped indexing personal Google Maps review profiles in search results.
- Your reviews are still public within Google Maps, but they don’t show up in Google Search.
- To increase visibility, share your Google Maps profile link manually, create content on blogs/websites, and use your name in SEO-friendly online platforms.
- Google Business Profiles and relevant online content (like blog posts) are better ways to ensure your name is searchable.
Although there is no direct way to force Google to reindex your Google Maps reviews, these strategies can help boost your online presence and improve visibility.
Dinesh K Verma is an experienced SEO strategist and WordPress expert with over 12 years of industry experience. He specializes in creating optimized, user-friendly websites that drive traffic and conversions. As the founder of SEOBallia.com, Dinesh shares his expertise through insightful articles and practical guides. His mission is to empower businesses and individuals to achieve online success.
