People’s buying decisions rely heavily on Google reviews. That’s why this topic brings up a lot of questions. One of these is how to post a Google review anonymously.
Sometimes, you might want to share your personal experience online but don’t want people to know who you are. However, posting a Google review requires a Google account with a name and a picture. So, how do you keep your identity a secret?
The short answer is you can’t! But don’t worry yet because this article offers some easy workarounds. So, let’s learn how to post a review anonymously on Google using two techniques.
Common Reasons for Leaving Anonymous Google Reviews
Everyone has their concerns when navigating the online space. Some people post anonymous reviews simply to keep their personal details away from the public’s eye. Hackers only need a small amount of data to exploit your personal information, so this reason is quite legit.
Then, some people want to share their experiences without bias. Anonymity often encourages people to share honest opinions without fearing the consequences.
After all, some businesses and their loyal customers do harass people for sharing negative reviews. This might wreak unnecessary havoc in your life, so an anonymous review is an easy way out.
Personal relationships with the company’s employees or decision-makers are another motivation to leave anonymous reviews. Leaving a negative review with your name, in this case, might cause problems with these people. Other reasons include sensitive experiences, legal and ethical issues, and unpopular opinions.
What Information Is Visible When I Post a Review on Google?
It’s a common misconception that only your name and picture are visible when you post a review on Google. In reality, seven types of information are visible to the public.
Firstly, of course, your Google account’s name and picture will always be visible. That’s why we said earlier that posting an anonymous review on Google isn’t possible.
Secondly, each Google review comes with a star rating from 1 to 5. This rating will be visible under your name, along with the review text and any pictures you might have added.
Another critical piece of information that makes or breaks your review’s perception is the date. If it doesn’t match the timing during which you used the product or service, your review might seem fake. Lastly, up or down votes from other people and the business’s response are also visible.
How To Post a Google Review Anonymously: 2 Methods That Work
Now that you know the reasons for leaving anonymous reviews, you might be curious about the techniques.
It’s common knowledge that Google trusts reviews that have the reviewer’s own name and profile picture. It makes customer experiences look genuine and unbiased. That’s why Google discontinued the anonymous feature in 2018.
Consequently, there’s no single-click solution to leaving anonymous online reviews on Google. You can only use smart tactics to do so. So, use the following section to learn how to post a Google review anonymously.
1. Change Your Name on Google
The simplest way to leave anonymous reviews while concealing your real identity is by changing your Google account name. All you have to do is:
- Access your account.
- Click on your profile picture > Manage your Google Account > Personal Info.
- Click on your name before clicking the pencil icon next to it.
- Change your first and last name to something vague or generic.
This will hide your personal information from businesses looking to manage their online reputation as well as their potential customers.
Once you’ve changed your name, you can search for the business you want to review. Look for the reviews section and click on Write a Review. Give a star rating and write a review based on your experience.
2. Create a New Account To Post Google Reviews
People often create different Google accounts for different purposes. If you’re someone who regularly leaves reviews, you can follow in their footsteps and leave anonymous opinions.
When you create a new account, you’ll have the option to choose a generic name. Here’s how to do that:
- Go to Google and look for the Sign-in button.
- A window will open, asking you to enter your email and password.
- On this page, you’ll also find the Create Account button. Click on it.
- Click For my personal use.
- The signup form will appear. Enter all your details, including the anonymous name, and then click Next.
- Google will ask you to verify your phone number. You can keep this number private so it doesn’t appear to the public eye.
- Accept the terms and finish creating your account.
4 Best Practices for Leaving Anonymous Google Reviews
Now that you know how to post a review on Google anonymously, let’s talk about the best practices. Even though you can keep your name anonymous, you shouldn’t use these tactics to leave fake reviews. Sabotaging a company’s reputation has never worked in anyone’s favor. Therefore, follow these four best practices to remain genuine:
- Be honest and respectful while writing the review.
- Share your own experiences and avoid exaggeration even when posting positive reviews.
- Focus on the specifics and provide pictures or examples to make your case stronger.
- Don’t add irrelevant information, and only talk about one experience at a time.
If you’re still not sure how to form a genuine review, Lifehacker has an excellent guide.
Protect Your Privacy by Becoming Anonymous
Cyber crimes and harassment have always been a serious concern. Therefore, it makes sense to learn how to post a Google review anonymously. It will help you share your experiences while remaining somewhat private.
Managing your online reputation properly can bring benefits in terms of brand awareness and customer loyalty. With Beambox, you can get reviews on autopilot by using automated prompts that ask customers to leave feedback.
You can also manage your online reputation from one dashboard that integrates the most popular review sites. Start your trial with Beambox today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Anonymous Google Reviews
Before we wrap this discussion up, let’s look at some frequently asked questions to eliminate any remaining doubts.
What if I want to change my name after posting a review?
You can change your name after posting a Google review by accessing your Google account and clicking your profile picture. Then select Manage your Google Account > Personal Info.
Click your name and the pencil icon to edit it. This change will automatically update all your reviews, but it may take some time for the changes to show.
Can I delete or edit my Google review once it’s posted anonymously?
Yes, you can edit or remove a Google review, even if posted anonymously. Simply go to Google Maps, click on the menu, select Your Contributions, then Reviews.
Find your review and choose to edit or delete it. However, changes may take a moment to show.
Will Google track my IP address when I post a review anonymously?
Yes, Google can track your IP address when you post a review anonymously. Only your name and profile will be anonymous.
However, you can keep your location hidden by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This will mask your
identity and location.
