How to write a Google review for any business or attraction on Google Maps

• You can write Google reviews of restaurants, attractions, and other locations on Google Maps.
• When you write a Google review, others can see your "About me" page and all your reviews.
• Those who are part of Local Guides can also earn points for their reviews.

If you want to share your opinion - whether positive or negative - about a business, you can write a $4 review. On the $4 website and mobile app, you can share reviews, add photos, and select a star rating for any business or location listed on the platform.

Here's how to write a Google review, what the rules are, and what happens after you post a review.

How to write a Google review on Google Maps

1. Make sure you're signed into your Google account.
2. Go to $4 or open the Google Maps mobile app.
3. Search for the place you want to review and click or tap on it to bring up the overview page.
   
   
4. On the Google Maps website, in the left sidebar, scroll down to the "Review summary" section and click "Write a review."
   
   
5. On the Google Maps mobile app, tap the "Reviews" tab at the top of the page, and in the "Rate & review" section, tap on the stars.
   
   
6. On both the website and mobile app, you'll then be taken to a page where you can add a star rating, write a review in the text area, and upload photos.
   
   
7. Once you've finished writing your review, click or tap "Post" and your review will be made public.

The rules of posting a Google review

In order for your review to stay up on Google Maps, it has to follow $4. That means everything in your review has to be accurate, on-topic, and can't use defamatory language. Your review can't be faked, copied, or stolen from someone else. It also can't be sexually explicit, offensive, or represent a conflict of interest (for example, users can't review their own business and reviewers can't be paid for their reviews.)

Users can report a review if it appears to violate the rules, and if Google agrees with that assessment, the company reserves the right to take it down, and may even suspend or delete "abusive accounts."

What happens after you post a Google review

Your reviews are public, so other people will be able to see your "$4" page, as well as other reviews and ratings you've posted, including any photos you added to those.

And if you're a part of $4, which is essentially Google's version of Yelp, you can also earn points for creating reviews - points that lead to badges on your profile, as well as "early access" to new Google features. If you're trying to review a place that isn't listed, Local Guides is also how you'll add the location to Google Maps so you can review it.

How to hide your Google reviews

If for any reason you want to hide your reviews, you can do so on both the website and mobile app. If you're a Local Guide, you'll still have all your earned badges, which will still be visible to the public.

On the Google Maps website>$4:

1. Click the icon of three horizontal lines in the upper-left corner.
   
   
2. Click "Your contributions" in the sidebar on the left.
   
   
3. On the "Contribute" tab, click "Profile settings."
   
   
4. In the "Your Public Profile" pop-up, click the toggle button next to "Show contributions on your public profile" to turn the button from blue to grey.
   
   

On the Google Maps mobile app:

1. Tap your account icon in the upper-right corner of the app homepage.
   
   
2. In the drop-down menu, tap "Settings."
   
   
3. In the "Account Settings" section, select "Personal content."
   
   
4. Scroll down to the "Profile settings" section at the bottom, and tap the toggle button next to "Show contributions on your profile" to turn the button from blue to grey.