Google Maps reviews might be blocked by account, content, or place-level limits—use this checklist to diagnose and restore posting.
You tap “Post,” and nothing happens. Or you see a vague banner saying the content can’t be published. This guide breaks down why review posting gets stopped and the exact steps that unlock it again. You’ll find quick checks and links to appeal. Fix it today.
Reasons You Can’t Post A Google Maps Review (And Fixes)
There are three broad buckets that block publishing: account issues, content violations, and place-wide limits.
Quick Diagnosis Table
| Symptom | Likely Cause | What To Try |
|---|---|---|
| “We can’t post this content right now.” | Automatic filters flagged the text or profile. | Edit phrasing; remove links, promo, contacts; post again. |
| Only star rating posts, text won’t. | Text triggers policy or spam checks. | Shorten; write a direct experience; avoid copy-paste. |
| Reviews vanish after posting. | Later policy review removed them. | Rephrase; avoid incentives or conflicts; appeal if eligible. |
| Can review other places, not this one. | Posting is limited for the specific place. | Wait it out; add a photo if allowed; try again later. |
| Can’t post anything, anywhere. | Feature access on your account is restricted. | Check account notices; file an appeal when available. |
Check Account Health First
Open your Google Account notifications and your Maps profile page. If posting access is restricted, you’ll see a message and links to learn more or appeal. Restrictions apply when past activity breaks content rules or when there’s a pattern of suspicious behavior. Some restrictions expire; others require a successful appeal.
Fix Steps For Account Restrictions
- Sign in on desktop. Visit your profile in Maps. Look for banners about limited features.
- Read any policy details attached to the notice. Note the exact feature affected.
- If an appeal is offered, submit it once. Keep your content as originally posted until the decision lands.
- Don’t create new accounts to bypass a restriction. That can extend limits.
Write Policy-Safe Text That Actually Publishes
Filters look for spam patterns, conflicts of interest, off-topic rants, profanity, hate speech, doxxing, and commercial pitches. They also dislike copy-pasted templates across many places. Keep your wording natural, direct, and about a real visit.
Safe Language Checklist
- Describe a first-hand visit: date window, what you bought or did, and one concrete detail.
- Skip links, phone numbers, coupons, or “DM me” texts.
- Avoid insulting language, personal attacks, or private info.
- Don’t review your employer, your own business, or places that gave you perks for a review.
- Write the text fresh; don’t reuse the same paragraph at many locations.
When The Place Itself Limits New Posts
Sometimes the issue isn’t you or your words. Google can switch off or limit posts for certain locations for a while, especially during real-world events or where abuse spikes. Some categories—like prisons, oceans, or schools—can have long-term limits because reviews there rarely help people choose where to go.
What Place-Level Limits Look Like
- You can leave stars but no text, or only photos are allowed.
- The text field errors out across devices and networks.
- Friends report the same block at that location.
Step-By-Step: Get Your Review To Stick
1) Test The Basics
- Update the Maps app or use desktop in a fresh browser session.
- Switch networks once. Post on Wi-Fi if you were on mobile data, or the reverse.
- Post a plain star rating. If that works, add text that’s short and neutral.
2) Edit For Policy Fit
Trim out marketing lines, contact info, and any copied text. Keep it about a visit you personally made. If you received a refund, gift, or discount, don’t mention quid-pro-quo language.
3) Try A Lightweight Photo
A single, original photo from your visit can help establish that you actually went. Skip collages, watermarks, or heavily edited images.
4) Check If The Place Is Limited
Search recent posts on the place page. If other new reviews are missing or text posting seems paused, the limit is likely on that location. Wait and try later.
5) Appeal When Eligible
If your profile shows restricted features or your content shows as removed for a policy issue, use the built-in appeal link. Don’t resubmit while the appeal is active.
Common Triggers That Block Or Remove Text
These patterns tend to trip filters:
- Incentivized wording: “They gave me a discount for a five-star.”
- Coordinated campaigns: identical posts across many places in a short window.
- Off-topic politics or rants unrelated to a recent visit.
- Personal details about staff, plate numbers, or home addresses.
- Self-promotion, affiliate links, or recruiting.
How Long Does It Take?
Most clean posts appear within minutes. Some go through extra checks that can take a few days. If it’s been a week and nothing shows, assume a policy or restriction is in play and adjust.
Official Rules And Safe Wording
The strongest source for what’s allowed is Google’s own policy center. Read the Prohibited & restricted content page to see what triggers removal, then skim the Posting restrictions explainer to understand when entire places are limited. Use neutral, first-hand language that stays on the visit, not the people who work there.
Sample Rewrite That Usually Passes
Blocked: “Use my code at best-pizza-town dot com for a deal. Staff promised a perk for a five-star.”
Safe: “Visited on Saturday around noon. Pepperoni slice came hot with a crisp edge. Cashier handled a long line quickly.”
Place, Content, Or Account? Decide With This Table
| What’s Limited | What You’ll Notice | Next Move |
|---|---|---|
| Place | No text box, or errors for everyone. | Wait; add a photo if allowed; retry later. |
| Content | Single post fails while others work. | Edit wording; remove links or asks; re-post once. |
| Account | Nothing posts anywhere. | Check notices; follow the appeal path; avoid new accounts. |
Privacy Controls You Might Have Switched On
Your profile can hide posts from non-followers if you set restrictions. That doesn’t stop publishing, but it changes who can see your content. If friends can’t see a review that you can, check profile visibility.
Best Practices That Keep Reviews Live
- Keep it personal and factual. One or two concrete details beat flowery lines.
- Post soon after the visit while details are fresh.
- Avoid copy-pasting the same text to many places.
- Skip promos, links, or contact info inside the text.
- Never offer or accept perks for a review.
When You Should Wait
Google sometimes pauses posting during sensitive events near a location. During a pause, new text may fail even if stars or photos go through. When the spike in abuse ends, limits lift on their own. No action needed from you until then.
Where To Learn The Rules And Appeal
For a deep dive into prohibited content and posting limits, read Google’s official policy pages. You’ll also find the appeal steps if a restriction lands on your account. Use these references to check wording before you submit.
Device And App Troubleshooting
Sometimes a technical hiccup gets in the way. Clear it before you rewrite text. Log out and back in. Update the Maps app. If you use a VPN, turn it off briefly. Try a different device to separate policy issues from app bugs. A clean browser profile helps too: no extensions, no cached cookies, no password autofill pushing stray content into the box.
Business Owners: What You Can And Can’t Do
If you run a place and you’re asking why new posts aren’t showing, don’t pressure customers for five-stars or offer discounts for reviews. That language gets filtered and can put limits on your page. Keep requests simple: a plain ask after a real visit. Respond to feedback with specifics, and report policy-breaking text through the built-in tools. When a local event triggers a pause, let it pass—pushing for reviews during a freeze doesn’t help.
When A Merge Or Move Hides Past Feedback
After a profile merge or a move across town, old posts can take time to reattach to the active page. If the listing legitimately changed hands, some reviews may stay with the old entry. In that case, keep building fresh feedback the right way. Shifting content between entries belongs with Google’s help workflow; don’t copy and paste old text onto the new page.
Appeal Tips That Improve Your Odds
- Be concise. Quote the one post or action in question and explain why it matches the rules.
- Attach a link to the place page and the date you tried to post.
- Avoid uploading new variants while the appeal is open.
- Stick to facts; skip speculation about filters or motives.
- If denied, wait before trying again with fresh, policy-safe wording.
Examples Of Edits That Pass Filters
“Staff were rude!” becomes “Visited Monday 3 pm. Counter staff skipped my number once; resolved after I asked. Sandwich was as ordered.” That swap removes the personal attack, adds timing, and gives one verifiable detail. “Best deal in town—message me for coupons” becomes “Paid $14 for the lunch special. Portion was large for the price.” The second line drops the pitch and keeps the experience.
Copy-Ready Template You Can Adapt
“Visited on [weekday/time]. Ordered [item]. Staff were [brief note]. Wait time was [minutes]. Cleanliness: [detail]. Would return for [single reason].”
What To Do If You Still Can’t Post
- Try a fresh rewrite that’s short and concrete.
- Add one original photo from your visit.
- Check if the location is limited for new text.
- Look for account notices and appeal if shown.
- Give it a few days before another attempt.