No, Google reviews don’t allow a separate reply to a business owner’s response; you can edit or update your original review instead.
Here’s the short version: Google shows one public thread per review—your review and the business’s reply. There isn’t a built-in “reply back” button for reviewers. If you want to answer the owner, you’ll revise your original text or add new details inside that same review. This keeps the page tidy and avoids back-and-forth arguments.
Responding To A Business Owner’s Reply On Google Reviews: Your Options
Google lets businesses reply to customer feedback once they’ve verified their profile. When the business posts a response, you’ll be notified on your account, and you can change your review afterward. There’s no second-layer comment from the customer side; your tools are edit, update, or delete. That’s it—simple and controlled.
What You Can Do After A Business Replies
Use the controls in Google Maps or Search to make changes. You can add missing facts, note what happened next, or adjust your star rating. The date on your review will switch to the latest edit time, which signals to readers that something changed.
Actions Available To Reviewers After An Owner Reply
| Action | Available? | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Post a separate reply under the owner’s response | No | Google doesn’t support stacked comment chains for reviews. |
| Edit your original review text | Yes | Open Google Maps > Your contributions > Reviews, then choose “Edit.” |
| Update your star rating | Yes | Use “Edit review” and adjust the rating to reflect new facts. |
| Delete your review | Yes | Use “Delete review” to remove it entirely from the place page. |
| Flag content that breaks policy | Yes | Report reviews or photos that violate Google’s content rules. |
How To Update Your Review (Step-By-Step)
Here’s a clean route on desktop. The steps are similar on mobile.
Steps On Google Maps
- Open Google Maps and sign in.
- Click Your contributions, then pick Reviews.
- Find the review you want to change, click the three dots, and choose Edit review or Delete review.
- Save your changes. Your review shows the new edit date.
If you prefer Google Search, find the place, open the reviews panel, and look for your review. You’ll see the same edit controls there.
What To Write When You Edit
Keep it calm and factual. Add timing, names, order numbers, and any follow-up. Readers want a clear picture of what happened and what changed after the owner replied. If the business fixed the issue, say so. If the problem grew, note that too with specifics.
Why Google Keeps Review Threads Simple
Stacked arguments are messy. Google limits review threads to your review and the owner’s response, and it encourages clean updates to keep the page readable. Readers can still learn how the situation ended by checking your edited text and the business’s reply. This format also helps policy enforcement and keeps spam down.
Best Practices For Customers Who Want To Answer An Owner
Keep It Short And Verifiable
Use dates, receipts, work orders, and other specifics. That helps other shoppers and gives the business clear context.
Stick To What Happened
Focus on service, product quality, billing, and results. Avoid personal remarks. You want the review to be useful and policy-safe.
Note The Outcome
If staff reached out, include the resolution and timing. If you received a refund, replacement, or repeat visit, add that clearly. Readers care about outcomes.
Rules And Policy Pointers You Should Know
Google’s system flags spam, incentives, harassment, and other off-limits content. If you see something that breaks the rules—yours or the business’s—you can report it for review. You’ll avoid headaches by keeping your update factual and on topic.
For the official how-to on editing your text and rating, see Add, edit, or delete reviews. For what content isn’t allowed in reviews or replies, see the Prohibited & restricted content policy.
When You Should Update Or Remove Your Review
Update When Facts Change
Did the shop call back and make it right? Add that. Did a repair fail a week later? Add that too. Fresh details help readers make good choices.
Remove If The Review No Longer Fits
Sometimes a problem turns out to be a misunderstanding, a wrong location, or a mix-up with a different branch. If your review no longer reflects the place, delete it and replace it with an accurate one later, if needed.
Tips For Clear, Helpful Edits
Lead With The Update
Start with a single line: “Update on 2 Aug—manager fixed the billing error and issued a refund.” Then keep details short and precise.
Balance Tone And Detail
Be firm, but keep the wording neutral. Stick to actions, timelines, and results. Readers skim, so short sentences work best.
Avoid Repeat Posting
Don’t post multiple reviews for the same visit. Keep everything in one review and refresh it as the story develops.
What Happens When You Edit After An Owner Replies
When you change your text or rating, the review date switches to the new edit time. The owner’s earlier reply stays visible unless they edit or delete it. That can create a mismatch if your update moves the story forward and their reply still talks about the old details.
Common Scenarios And The Smart Move
| Scenario | Your Best Next Step | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Owner apologizes and fixes the problem | Edit your review; add dates and outcome; adjust stars if warranted | Shows resolution for future readers and rewards good service. |
| Owner disputes facts | Update with receipts, order IDs, and a short timeline | Clear evidence helps readers assess the situation fast. |
| No reply from the owner | Leave your review as is; consider a brief follow-up edit later | Keeps your experience recorded without repeating content. |
| Conversation turns heated | Trim any emotional lines; keep verifiable details only | Protects your account and keeps the post policy-safe. |
| Issue moves offline (email or phone) | Post a short update when it’s resolved | Helps shoppers see the end result without private info. |
How Businesses See Your Edits
Businesses get notified when you post reviews and when they receive replies to their own reviews, but alerts for edits aren’t guaranteed inside every third-party tool. Many owners still spot changes as they monitor their profile feed. In practice, if you want the business to notice a major update quickly, keep the first line of your edit clear and time-stamped so it stands out.
Extra Notes For Local Guides
If you contribute often, keep your review history consistent and useful. Add photos that prove details, label them well, and avoid anything that could reveal private data. When you revise text, keep the edit history clean—no walls of caps, no personal attacks, and no duplicate posts for the same place.
When To Flag A Reply Instead Of Editing
Business replies must follow the same rules as reviews. If a response includes personal info, harassment, or requests for money, use the report tools. Keep your own review neutral while the report is being assessed. Policy teams review flags and may remove or limit content on a place page when needed.
Owner Replies: What They Can Change
Owners can edit or delete their own responses. Many do that to align with your latest update, especially if the issue was resolved. The best pages show a clean arc: your review, their reply, your update, and sometimes an edited reply from the business.
Clear Writing Template You Can Reuse
Template For A Concise Update
“Update on [date]: Spoke with [name/role]. Replacement arrived on [date] and works as expected. Changing rating from [x] to [y].”
Template For A Disputed Detail
“Update on [date]: The store’s reply mentions a no-show. Receipt #[number] shows a visit at [time]. Attaching photo. Still waiting for a fix.”
Template When You Remove A Review
“Removed on [date]: Wrong branch listed on my first post. I’ll try again after visiting the correct location.”
Quick Reference: What Reviewers Can And Can’t Do
- You can’t post a nested reply under the business’s response.
- You can edit your review text and rating to respond.
- You can delete your review if it no longer applies.
- You can report content that breaks policy.
Wrap-Up: Answering An Owner The Right Way
Use your edit tool as your “reply.” Keep it factual, add dates, and show the final outcome. That’s how shoppers get value and how businesses earn trust. If a response breaks rules, report it. If the business makes it right, say so. Clean, specific updates help everyone.