Google now lets reviewers post under a fake name. Here's what that means for your reputation, how to spot fake anonymous reviews, and how to respond.
Google reviews are not anonymous. That's the short answer. The longer answer explains what reviewers actually see when they post, what businesses can see about reviewers, and what "A Google User" reviews mean and why they exist.
If you've received a review from "A Google User" and wondered whether you can find out who left it, or whether a reviewer who posted critically but privately can be identified, this guide answers those questions directly.
Google reviews are not truly anonymous. When someone leaves a Google review, their name (from their Google account) is publicly visible on the review. Reviewers who don't want to be identified by name would need to post from a Google account using a pseudonym, which is possible but is a deliberate choice by the reviewer, not a default privacy protection.
From the reviewer's perspective: they see their own Google account name attached to any review they post. Their review is public and visible to anyone who finds your business listing. Other Google users can see the review and the reviewer's name.
From the business perspective: you can see the reviewer's display name, their review history (if they've reviewed other businesses), and whether they've been a customer in any records you maintain.
The one exception is "A Google User" reviews, a legacy format from when Google allowed reviews to be left without being logged in, or from accounts whose users later deleted their accounts.
💡 Pro Tip: If a current or former employee is leaving negative reviews under a personal Google account, you may be able to identify them from their review history or from context in the review. Reviews from employees or ex-employees constitute a conflict of interest under Google's policy and can be flagged for removal.
"A Google User" is the display name Google uses for two types of historical reviews:
Type 1, Reviews from deleted accounts. When someone leaves a review and then deletes their Google account, Google converts their display name to "A Google User." The review remains on your profile but can no longer be attributed to a named individual.
Type 2, Reviews from the pre-login era. In earlier versions of Google Maps, users could leave reviews without being logged into a Google account. These reviews were posted without account association and show as "A Google User."
What "A Google User" reviews are not:
They are not newly-posted anonymous reviews. Google has required a logged-in Google account for review posting for years. Any current review on your profile was posted by a logged-in user whose name is visible (unless they later deleted their account).
⚠️ Common Mistake: Treating "A Google User" reviews as suspect or fake purely because of the name. Many "A Google User" reviews are legitimate customer reviews from real interactions, they just came from accounts that no longer exist. Flagging "A Google User" reviews as fake without other evidence is rarely successful and wastes your flagging credibility with Google's review team.
When someone leaves a review on your GBP, you can see:
Their display name: The name they've set for their Google account. May be their real name or a pseudonym.
Their review history: Click on their name to see all public reviews they've left for other businesses. This review history is publicly visible and can provide context about who they are and whether their review appears legitimate.
Review date and rating: Visible to everyone.
What you cannot see:
When a customer leaves you a Google review, they can see:
Their own name: Their Google account display name will be attached to the review publicly. This is visible to everyone who views your business listing.
Their existing review history: Reviewers can see all reviews they've previously left.
That their review is public: Google makes it clear in the review interface that reviews are public and will appear on your business's profile.
Some reviewers post reviews thinking their review is private or that only the business can see it. This is a misconception. All Google reviews are public unless Google removes them for policy violations. A reviewer who wants to give private feedback should use the "Send feedback to owner" function, not a public review.
Respond to "A Google User" reviews the same way you'd respond to any named reviewer.
For positive "A Google User" reviews: "Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, it means a lot to our team. We hope to see you again soon!"
For negative "A Google User" reviews: "Thank you for your feedback. We take all customer experiences seriously and would like to understand what happened to address your concerns. Please reach out to us at [contact info] so we can make this right."
Avoid ignoring "A Google User" reviews, future customers reading your profile see whether you respond to all reviews or selectively ignore ones you can't identify. Consistent response behavior regardless of reviewer identity signals professionalism.
🛠️ Action Step: Audit your GBP reviews and find any "A Google User" reviews you haven't responded to. Respond to each with a brief, professional message today. This closes an engagement gap that costs you nothing and signals active management to prospective customers.
For "A Google User" reviews (deleted accounts), there is no way to identify the original reviewer through Google. The account no longer exists. Even if you contacted Google Support, they cannot reveal the identity of a deleted account.
For reviews from active accounts using pseudonyms, you cannot directly identify the person through Google. However:
If you suspect a competitor or disgruntled employee:
Review the account's history. An account that's new (created within the last month), has zero other reviews, or exclusively reviews businesses in your category in your city is a red flag for a fake or targeted review. Document this pattern before flagging.
Flag an anonymous ("A Google User") review when the review:
Describes a service or experience your business doesn't offer. If the review mentions a service you don't provide, a date when your business was closed, or details that don't match any real interaction, it may be fake.
Contains prohibited content. Offensive language, personal attacks on staff, explicit content, or personal information about employees.
Appears to be from a competitor or disgruntled employee. If the review history (for active accounts) or the review content strongly suggests it's not from a genuine customer.
How to flag:
In Google Maps, find the review, click the three-dot menu (⋮), select "Report review," and choose the most relevant reason. If the automated flag doesn't produce a removal within 5 business days, escalate to GBP Support through your dashboard.
⚠️ Common Mistake: Flagging "A Google User" reviews simply because you can't identify who left them. The "anonymous" nature of a review doesn't make it fake. Flag reviews based on content policy violations or clear evidence of inauthenticity, not because you'd prefer to know who left it.
Can someone leave an anonymous Google review? No, current Google reviews require a logged-in Google account, and the reviewer's account name is publicly visible on the review. Reviews labeled "A Google User" come from deleted accounts or legacy no-login reviews, not from a currently available anonymous posting option.
Can I find out who left me a "A Google User" review? No, "A Google User" reviews come from accounts that have been deleted. Google cannot and will not reveal the identity of a deleted account. For active accounts using pseudonyms, you can view their public review history but cannot access any identifying information beyond what they've made public on their profile.
Why do some Google reviews show "A Google User"? "A Google User" reviews come from two sources: (1) Google accounts whose users later deleted their accounts, the review remains but the name reverts to the generic placeholder, and (2) Legacy reviews posted before Google required account login for reviews, which were posted without account association.
Can an anonymous Google review hurt my rating? Yes, "A Google User" reviews affect your star rating the same way named reviews do. A 1-star review from "A Google User" counts toward your average rating. If the review violates Google's policies, you can request removal through the standard flag process. If it doesn't violate policies, respond professionally and focus on generating more positive reviews to dilute its effect on your average.
Can I request that Google make my review anonymous? If you've posted a review and want it removed or detached from your name, you can edit or delete the review from your own Google account, go to Google Maps, find your review under "Your contributions," and delete it. You cannot post a new anonymous review on Google's current platform. If you delete your Google account, your reviews will revert to "A Google User."
How do I respond to a negative review from someone I can't identify? Respond the same way you'd respond to any negative review: professionally, briefly, and with an invitation to resolve the issue directly. "Thank you for your feedback. We'd like to understand your experience and make it right, please contact us at [email/phone]." The identity of the reviewer doesn't change the right response approach.
