Google’s review filter runs periodically and removes reviews permanently due to a policy violation. Reviews on your listing may stick for months and then suddenly vanish at the same time as several other reviews. This is because the algorithm does not check each review before it is posted.

Below are some steps for those who are affected and would like to check if their reviews have been removed:

1. Log in to “Google Maps” and then click on the menu bar on the top left.
2. Open the menu and choose, “Your Contributions”.
3. Click on the “Reviews” tab that comes under your profile.
4. Go to the top of your browser, copy the URL and then paste it into an Incognito window.
5. Compare the logged-in vs. logged-out reviews.

You’ll see 150 reviews when you’re logged in, but someone else viewing your profile would see 141. It means 9 of your reviews have been filtered or removed. To identify which specific reviews got removed, keep logged in from your profile and find out the reviews that do not have like or a share icon.

So, if these icons are not available that means your review has been removed.

*Remember that Google will only check filtered reviews with text. Because the ratings without text under the review never have shared or like icons.
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​Reviews that are SPAM or Illegitimate
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To ensure the quality of Google+ platform, Google actively fights with spammy and illegitimate reviews. Google’s algorithm may sometimes remove even legitimate reviews. It does it right away and it is not much you can do about this. What you can do only is to keep active users engaged in order to generate new reviews.
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Reviews that include links, URLs or phone numbers
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When reviews contain links, URLs or phone numbers, the review is automatically flagged and removed immediately through the filter. But, if you’re a more trusted reviewer, there might be a possibility that your review sticks for some time and get removed later.
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Reviews that are a result of Incentives
​NEVER OFFER INCENTIVES!
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If you’re offering incentives for people who write your Google reviews, it may not be caught by Google filter algorithm, but people can submit a report at the Google My Business Forum and Google and you will end up with no business listing on Google+ page.

Reviews that are displayed on a duplicate listing
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Double-check to see if there are any duplicates of your business listing. Because, in that case, your reviews will display on one of those duplicates. To check why your review has disappeared and if you have a duplicate listing, visit maps.google.com and search for the exact name or address of your business location.
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Check out some steps to get your Google reviews back:

1. The first step is to log in to Google My Business
2. Click to open the menu on the top left and choose the option- All Locations.

3. In case, you are hit with a prompt message, verify your authorization and agree to the Terms of Service.

4. Click on the option- Manage Location.

5. Click Edit on the Location Page.

6. In Maps Section, Click Edit Marker Location.

7. Drag the map marker just a tiny bit and save the location.

This way your business profile on Google should get back to normal. If you are still not able to see your reviews, cache clearing might help.

If this doesn’t resolve your issue, then the chances are you won’t be able to get them back unless the user is able to edit the review. Or else, you can ask the Google to restore the reviews, which is pretty unlikely. So, it’s better to take a proactive stance and avoid sudden loss of reviews and suspicion of the filter.
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Here are a few tips to avoid losing reviews from Google:
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1. Do not have people leave reviews from your office. Google is onto this and can trace if the reviews are all coming from the same IP address. Instead, you should try a safer option of sending email requests and SMS to your customer’s personal devices.
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2. Never offer money or any other incentives for people to leave fake positive reviews for your business. This is because, fake reviews could put even your legitimate customer reviews at approval risk from Google.
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3. Do not ask your friends, family or employees to write reviews. As doing this can yank your reviews. So, do some legwork on getting that hard-earned legitimate reviews.