In a highly competitive market, some may wonder whether it’s possible to buy negative reviews on Google to damage a rival business’s reputation.
The idea might seem tempting to some, but let’s be clear from the start: buying negative reviews is prohibited, illegal, and can easily backfire.
Is It Legal to Buy Google Reviews?
No. Buying Google reviews — whether positive for your own business or negative for someone else’s — violates the platform’s policies and can be considered an act of unfair competition in Spain.
According to the Spanish Unfair Competition Law, any practice aimed at artificially altering the market’s perception may have legal consequences.
Source: BOE-A-1991-16671
Furthermore, fake reviews — both positive and negative — go against Google’s guidelines, which may delete them and penalize the business involved.“Posting fake content intended to manipulate a place’s rating is not allowed.”
Official source: Google Contribution Policy
What Happens If I Buy Negative Reviews on Google?
Buying negative reviews on Google Maps or Google Business Profile may seem like a quick way to harm your competitors, but it comes with serious risks:
- Google penalties: Your profile may be suspended, all reviews deleted, or you could even be blocked from receiving reviews in the future.
- Loss of trust: If users or customers detect manipulation, your brand image will be severely damaged.
- Legal risks: If the affected business discovers that the negative reviews come from an organized campaign, they could sue you for unfair competition, impersonation, or defamation.
Where Are Google Reviews Sold and Why Should You Avoid Them?
A simple search such as “buy Google reviews”, “buy Google Maps reviews” or “cheap Google reviews” will lead you to dozens of websites offering fake reviews.
Some even claim to sell “safe and reliable negative reviews” from Spain, Colombia, or other countries.
These platforms usually offer:
- Custom negative reviews to attack competitors.
- Fake positive reviews to boost your own profile.
But remember: none of these practices is safe or legal.
Most use bots, fake profiles, or newly created accounts that Google detects easily.
As the saying goes: cheap ends up expensive.
How to Report Fake Negative Reviews on Google
If you believe your business is receiving fake bad reviews or is the target of a paid campaign, you can report them directly from your profile:
- Log in to your Google Business Profile account.
- Go to the suspicious review.
- Click the three dots (⋮) and select “Report as inappropriate.”
- Choose the reason and submit the report.
We’ve also prepared a complete guide on our blog:
👉 How to Report Fake Reviews on Google
Can You Get Real Reviews Without Falling into Traps?
Yes. The best way to compete online is to have a well-rated profile with genuine, authentic reviews — not bought ones.
At OPINAS, we help you get more real and positive reviews without risking your profile or your reputation.
Here are some recommended strategies:
- NFC cards and physical stands: customers just tap their phone to access your profile directly.
- Visible QR codes: ideal for customer-facing businesses such as bars, clinics, and workshops.
- Personalized links for WhatsApp or SMS: perfect for businesses working remotely or offering home services.
- Reward your team: each review can be linked to an employee, motivating your staff to deliver better service.
More info here 👉 How to Get More Google Reviews
