Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a lot of change digitally as businesses have to adjust quickly to COVID-19 and its impact across the globe. Google has suspended accepting and posting reviews and Q&A on local businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Google posted in its help document “New reviews, review replies, and new Q&A will be unavailable during this time.”

Google is temporarily disabling new reviews, review replies, and new Q&A for all businesses until further notice. There have been significant numbers of reviews posted for 1-star reviews because business was closed or others complaining that the business was spreading the virus. This is a crisis we are all facing it’s unfair to these businesses and nobody would like to see their reputations tarnished due to this unforeseen issue. In order to protect the reputation of millions of businesses across the country, Google has made the decision to suspend reviews, review responses, and Q&A until further notice.

Google My Business added a temporarily closed button, shared issues about its slow down, gave tips to healthcare facilities, added delivery and takeout options for restaurants, suspended local reviews and Q&A all during this COVID-19 outbreak.