Google Maps is like a double-edged sword, and I am strictly speaking as a business owner who is (currently level 8) local guide. In fact, speak to any business owner with a verified address on Google Maps, and they’ll have the same sentiment. Obviously, I am also a consumer, just one of the many users of Google Maps looking for the nearest pizza restaurant with NYC style pizzas.

Or reviews of pet hotels in Bangkok. Hopefully ones that won’t mix my sweet kitties with other sweet kitties in a small room. Yes, it’s happened to me before. And you bet I left a scathing review for said pet hotel.

It helps customers find businesses nearby, around, or miles away. Letting one know what to expect before stepping inside. There are photos of the inside and outside of establishments, and you’ll definitely know if the service stinks or not. Without it, potential customers might have a hard time knowing about or even finding you.

To put is short, Google Maps is awesome… but…

Negative online reviews to any businesses can have detrimental effects. Just as easy as anyone can make reviews on Tripadvisor.com anyone with Gmail accounts can write one as well. Though there are many kind hearted local guides whom genuinely want to share that great experience they had at a business they found through google maps.

Many are not motivated to write positive reviews and it could be for many reasons, such has they forget or they don’t have the time.

However, Google local guides are more motivated to write negative reviews. Such as if poor service by rude staff or unsanitary conditions is experienced. And just simply getting ripped off and scammed are strong motivations to quickly write scathing one star reviews. And rightfully so.

Thinking it Through… Before Leaving that Review

Before I go on and explain why. Let’s go back a little bit.

If you plan on starting a business someday you might be interested in this. Because you want to do a bit of research right? Well reading reviews from Google local guides is a great way to suss out gripes people have. You can filter out the 1 star reviews and just look through complaints. This way you can find what people are complaining about. Then you can avoid certain situations that might motivate reviewers complain about.

So I was going through reviews on similar businesses that I plan on starting in the near future. And although many of the low star reviews are valid.There were bad reviews I personally feel are undeserving. And here’s where you, as a local guide making reviews can hopefully understand.Because there are valid reviews, whether good or bad. And then there are unfair reviews.

You Can’t Blame Everything on a Business

So I’m going to use a restaurant as an example here. I love cooking and I love eating! As a Google local guide myself I enjoy writing reviews to promote my favorite restaurants. Millions do the same, it’s kind of fun and supporting local hard working folks with restaurant businesses is worthy in my eyes.

That said I am fully aware that there are restaurant businesses that don’t have good intentions. And do not look at customers the same way.

Let’s dissect that review. Dirty unsanitary food is absolutely a valid poor review. But was the food served by staff. Or the owner? We don’t know 100%.

Though I have been to this restaurant numerous times I can say it’s most likely served by workers. And just speaking from experience, if you have a handful of workers you are bound to end up with a couple that don’t care whether or not your business gets a valid 1 star review.

Or a dirty plate of food in this case. But is it fair to blame an establishment for workers that don’t give a damn?

It’s a tricky debate.

Above is to me a classic example of unfair 1 star reviews. Especially when food is such a subjective subject so I get it. But comparing the food at your favorite local joint, in your home country to me doesn’t make sense.

Hainan chicken rice is served all over Southeast Asia. And different countries, no matter how near, use different ingredients. Or prepare foods differently. There’s a certain bias when you have your favorite local joint at home in mind. And if it don’t taste the way it taste or better then your hometown Hainan chicken is it fair to dish out a 1 star review?

Another review I came across for a popular coffee shop I frequent received low star rating because there was a group of noisy customers. I mean come on now. There was another low star review from another Google local guide that it was too cold inside the cafe.

Speaking from personal experience, this cafe has friendly people working inside. It has a lot of space where friends can hang out and chit chat. A lot of people talking inside a confined space is going not going to guarantee peace and quiet. And truly unfair to any business that have no control over customers’ behaviours.

Google maps is great and millions of people around the world find it useful and insightful. But the local guides that write up these reviews I think really have to put in more thought as to what they write.