Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessTechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks
Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
Google has a new form that merchants can fill out to directly report extortion tactics.
Mountain View, Calif.—Google has a new way for business owners to report Google Reviews extortion attempts.
The tech giant said in a blog post published earlier this month that it has created a form merchants can use to report extortion tactics directly to Google, allowing it to take action against bad actors.
The move follows reports from numerous business owners who say they were victims of “review bombing,” which is when a scammer floods a business’s profile with fake one-star reviews.
The scammers then reach out to the merchant directly, usually through third-party messaging apps, and demand money.
“They threaten that if the business fails to pay the fee, the negative reviews will remain, or the attack will escalate and further damage the business’s public rating and reputation to coerce the victim into paying the extortion demand,” said Google.
In one incident, shared with CBS News New York, the owner of a pharmacy was receiving several one-star reviews, including bizarre ones that claimed he was selling overpriced vehicles in poor condition.
The business owner said his star rating was suffering and the scammers were demanding $100 for the removal of each fake post.
Google Maps, which operates the review service, prohibits fake engagement, harassment, extortion, and other harmful content, said Google, and it monitors for, blocks, and removes violations.
“Although our moderation systems catch most suspicious activity, we recommend that all merchants remain vigilant in identifying and reporting potential extortion of their Business Profile,” said the company.
Google does not recommend engaging with the scammers or paying the ransom, as it can encourage more attacks.
Merchants are advised to report the activity using the new merchant extortion report form, and to save records, including screenshots, emails, and chat logs, of these demands to share with law enforcement as evidence.
Once the report is submitted, Google said its team will investigate the claim and notify the merchant about the results of the investigation.
In a recent episode of National Jeweler and Jewelers of America’s co-branded webinar series “My Next Question” about Google Reviews, marketing consultant Andre' Savoie gave his advice on how retailers should handle these attacks.
“Submit [the report] and be done with it. If they remove it, they remove it. If they don’t, you still have the same job tomorrow, which is go [get] some new [reviews],” he said. “Don't get overly hung up on it one way or the other.”
The best way to offset negative reviews is to receive positive ones from actual customers, said the webinar panelists.
Watch the full webinar here to learn more about tips for encouraging positive reviews and dealing with negative feedback from customers.
More on Technology
The Latest
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
