No, on a review in Google Maps you’ll only see a helpful total—who tapped the icon isn’t shown to users or business owners.
Here’s the short version before we dig in: the thumbs-up, heart, or “Helpful” marker on a review is an anonymous signal. You can view the number beside the icon, but the identities behind those taps stay hidden. That applies to readers, Local Guides, and the business involved.
What You Can And Can’t See About Helpful Marks
The table below spells out the exact visibility rules for reactions on reviews across Google’s interfaces. It keeps the moving parts straight, especially if you switch between desktop, Android, and iOS.
| Item | Viewer | Visible? |
|---|---|---|
| Total count beside the icon | Any reader | Yes |
| Who tapped the icon | Any reader | No |
| Who tapped the icon | Business owner/manager | No |
| Usernames or profiles of voters | Anyone | No |
| Your own tap state | Signed-in user | Yes (you can remove it) |
| Change from thumbs to heart “react” | Any reader | Yes (UI variant) |
How Helpful Votes Work On Reviews
Reactions are a shortcut for readers to say a review added value. Tapping the icon adds one to the total. If you tap again, it removes your mark. The system doesn’t expose voter names, and there’s no panel where a business can see who approved a review. Google calls reviews public, but that means the text, photos, and your account name on your review— not your behind-the-scenes taps on other people’s posts.
Where The Count Shows Up
You’ll usually spot the reaction icon under the review text, next to the “Share,” “Like,” or “Report” actions. On some listings, Google tests a small heart or a simple “Helpful” label. Labels can shift between app versions, but the rule stays the same: the counter shows a number only.
Why It’s Anonymous
Two reasons: privacy and integrity. Private reactions lower pressure between customers and local businesses, and they help curb vote brigading. Google also weighs many signals to sort and surface reviews. Reaction totals are one signal among plenty, not a public scoreboard tied to real names.
Who Liked A Review On Google: What You Can’t View
Readers ask this a lot. Owners do too. The answer doesn’t change across platforms. You won’t see a list of voters, and there isn’t an export that reveals identities. Even if you manage a Business Profile, the Reviews tab shows the text, stars, media, and timing, but not the names of people who reacted to a review.
What Businesses Can Still Learn
A missing voter list doesn’t leave you blind. Scan for patterns: which reviews gather more reactions, what topics those reviews mention, and whether detailed reviews rise to the top. That mix shows what customers value and shapes your replies.
Reply Strategy That Encourages Quality
Pick a calm style. Thank the reviewer, mirror one detail they provided, then add a next step. If the review points to staff care, mention your training rhythm. If it mentions wait times, state what you’re changing. Helpful replies invite more thoughtful posts, which tend to gather more reactions on their own.
Evidence And Official Wording
Google’s help pages say reviews are public and show your account name on reviews you write. Reactions on other people’s reviews aren’t listed by name. That’s why neither readers nor owners can open a “who liked this” drawer. See the “About public info” section on the official help page for reviews, and the Business Profile forum answer that spells out that reaction voters stay anonymous. For policy context, check Google’s updates aimed at curbing fake activity and review manipulation across regions.
Helpful Links From Google
Read About public info on the Maps help article to see what parts of your activity are public. Owners can also skim this Business Profile forum note that states reaction voters aren’t identified: likes of reviews.
Finding And Reading Reactions In The Interface
On desktop, open a place in Google Maps, scroll to Reviews, and expand the “Most relevant” list. Each review shows the reaction icon with a number if it has votes. On Android and iOS, open the place page, scroll to a specific review, and look below the text block for the same icon. The total may not show on brand-new posts, or when a test variant hides it until the first tap.
What If The Count Looks Wrong?
Counts can lag during tests or anti-spam sweeps. Google removes votes and reviews tied to fake activity. That can change totals and sort order. When you notice shifts, compare across devices and sign-in states. If a review disappears from public view, you might still see it while signed in, but others won’t.
Readers: How To Use The Reaction Well
Treat the icon as a way to thank reviewers who include context: dates, item names, staff names, and prices. That lifts the most useful voices for the next person. If a review is misleading or abusive, skip the reaction and use the flag to report it instead. Votes lift good content; reports handle bad content.
Owners: Turning Anonymous Signals Into Action
Owners can’t see the names behind reactions, but the counts still help shape decisions overall. Reviews with more reactions often share specifics that answer common questions. Use those topics in your profile’s Q&A and photos. Keep your reply style short and human. That tone draws more balanced feedback over time.
Quick Tactics That Work
- Reply to a new post within two business days.
- Mirror one concrete detail from the review before you add your note.
- Thank by first name when the reviewer uses it in their profile.
- Invite a simple next step: “Ask for Casey at checkout,” or “Show this review for a replacement.”
Patterns To Watch
Scan the top reviews that collect reactions. Count how often they mention speed, cleanliness, or pricing. Track those words in a simple sheet. Match your service work to the top two topics and explain the change in replies for the next month. That loop lifts quality without any voter names.
Where Helpful Totals Appear Across Surfaces
The layout shifts a bit between devices and over time. This map shows where to look today and what moves around during live tests. If you don’t see the counter, you may be in a test cell, or the review has no reactions yet.
| Surface | Path | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop Google Maps | Place page → Reviews | Icon under each review |
| Android app | Place page → Reviews | Icon or heart label under text |
| iOS app | Place page → Reviews | Same as Android; minor spacing tweaks |
| Search results panel | Right-side knowledge panel | Often hidden until you open full list |
Privacy, Transparency, And Anti-Gaming
Anonymous reactions help reduce pressure and keep feedback cleaner. Google is also stepping up action against fake patterns, which can change how reviews and reactions surface. When the system detects abuse, it may freeze new reviews, remove recent posts, and show warnings on a profile. That drives short-term shifts in totals that owners sometimes notice during audits.
What To Do When Reviews Or Totals Change Suddenly
Stay calm and check your profile health. Look for warning banners and scan recent replies for links or prompts that break policy. Keep screenshots of your review mix so you can spot natural swings vs. policy sweeps. If you suspect abuse, report it through the usual path and keep replying to genuine customers in the meantime.
Quick Clarifications Without The Fluff
Can A Business Export The List Of Voters?
No. There’s no API or dashboard that reveals identities tied to reactions. The Business Profile dashboard lists reviews, not voter names.
Can A Reviewer See Who Liked Their Post?
No. The reviewer sees the same counter the public sees. Names are not attached to that number.
Can You Turn Off Reactions On Reviews?
No. Reactions are part of Maps and Search review components. You can’t disable them per listing.
Step-By-Step: Spotting The Reaction And Count
On Desktop
- Open Google Maps in a browser and search for the place.
- Click the rating to open the full list of reviews.
- Use the sort drop-down to switch between “Most relevant” and “Newest.”
- Look below each review text block. The reaction icon and its total sit next to the flag and share controls.
- Tap the icon to add or remove your mark. You’ll see the number jump by one, but no names appear.
On Android Or iOS
- Open the place page in the Maps app.
- Scroll to “Reviews.” Tap “More reviews.”
- Open any review to expand long text. The icon sits beneath the text with the tally beside it.
- If you don’t see it, scroll a bit; some builds collapse actions under a three-dot menu.
- Tap once to react, again to remove. The number changes for everyone, but no profile list appears.
Light Troubleshooting Checklist
Counts that seem stuck often catch up soon. Refresh and try another device. Check your sign-in state. If a review vanishes or drops out of sorting, the system may be filtering it while checks run. Keep replies calm and avoid outreach that steers only happy customers to leave reviews, since gating breaks policy and can trigger filters.
Bottom Line Guidance
You can’t view the people behind those taps on reviews. Treat the total as a hint, not a roster. Read the wording, answer real concerns, and let readers decide which voices help them. A steady reply habit paired with clear service updates earns more helpful reactions over time— no voter list needed.