No — Google reviews are public; you can only edit or delete them, or switch your Maps profile to Restricted to limit who can see your posts.
Worried that a clinic review you posted on Google is too visible? You are not alone. Many people want a tighter grip on what shows next to their name. This guide lays out what you can and cannot hide, and clean ways to reduce exposure without breaking site rules.
What You Can And Can’t Hide On Google Reviews
Google treats place reviews as public contributions. The text and star rating appear on the business page and show next to your profile name. There is no toggle to make a single review private. The available levers are different: edit the text, remove the review, or change profile visibility for your contributions. You can confirm that reviews are public in Google’s help pages and learn how the profile privacy switch works.
| Method | What Others See | Trade-Off |
|---|---|---|
| Edit the review | Updated text stays on the doctor’s page | Keeps the rating; removes details you no longer wish to share |
| Delete the review | Nothing; the post disappears from the page | Loses your rating and any proof you left feedback |
| Restrict profile in Maps | Your contributions are hidden on your profile page | The review may still appear on the place page; your profile shows less |
| Change display name | A different name appears next to past and future reviews | Applies across Google; friends might not recognise you in other products |
Hiding Google Reviews For A Doctor: Realistic Paths
There are three clean routes inside Google’s rules: edit, delete, or adjust profile visibility. A fourth option is to change how your name appears. Pick the one that matches your comfort level and the outcome you want.
Route 1: Edit Your Review To Remove Details
If the message is fine but you shared more than you planned, trim it. Keep your view of the appointment, staff, billing, and timing, yet leave out symptoms, test results, or other personal notes. On desktop, open Google Maps, click the menu, choose “Your contributions,” and then “Reviews.” Click the three dots, then “Edit review.” On Android or iPhone, go to Contribute → View your profile → See all reviews, then edit. The official help page linked below shows each step for computer and mobile.
See the official steps for each device under Add, edit, or delete Google Maps reviews.
While editing, check photos. Remove faces, screenshots of reports, or anything that ties the note to your identity. If needed, keep only the star rating with a short line about staff courtesy or scheduling. Plain and factual writing keeps risk low while still giving other patients useful context.
Route 2: Delete The Review Entirely
If you want the post gone, delete it. This removes the text and rating from the doctor’s page. On a computer, use the same “Your contributions” path and choose “Delete review.” On a phone, the steps match the edit flow. The help page covers each platform in detail.
Use the same help page linked above if you need a quick refresher.
After removal, the business page no longer shows your comment. If you change your mind later, you can write a fresh review with a different level of detail. There is no penalty for posting again when you are ready.
Route 3: Restrict Your Google Maps Profile
Maps includes a Profile Privacy toggle called “Restricted.” When this is on, your published contributions are hidden on your profile page. People who land on your profile will not see your lists, photos, or review feed. Turn it on in Google Maps by tapping your profile picture → Settings → Personal Content → Profile Privacy. Google’s help page explains the setting and where to find it.
Learn where to find the setting in Control who finds your contributions.
Know the limits. The doctor’s page may still show your review, since Maps treats each place page as public space. The setting mainly changes what appears on your profile page and who can browse your history there.
Route 4: Change Your Display Name
You can switch to a shorter name, an initial, or a neutral photo. This change shows across Google products that use your account profile. Open Maps → Contribute → View your profile → Edit profile, then edit Google Account info. Use a naming style you are comfortable with, and adjust any review text that repeats your full name or personal clues.
Steps are listed in your profile editor inside the Maps app.
How To Hide My Google Reviews From Others For A Doctor: Step-By-Step
Desktop: Edit Or Delete
- Open Google Maps in a browser and sign in.
- Click the menu icon, then “Your contributions.”
- Select “Reviews.”
- Find the doctor’s listing, click the three dots, and choose “Edit review” or “Delete review.”
- Confirm changes.
Android: Edit Or Delete
- Open the Maps app.
- Tap Contribute → View your profile → See all reviews.
- Open the review for the doctor.
- Tap the three dots → Edit review or Delete review.
- Save or confirm.
iPhone: Edit Or Delete
- Open the Maps app.
- Tap your profile picture → Your profile → Reviews.
- Open the review you want to change.
- Tap the three dots → Edit review or Delete review.
- Save or confirm.
Tip: Keep Text Low-Risk
Use general notes like “front desk was helpful” or “wait time was 20 minutes.” Skip medical details, claim numbers, or anything that reads like a chart entry. Short, clear lines keep the message, not your personal data, at the center.
What A Restricted Maps Profile Changes
Restricted mode changes how your profile looks to others. Your bio and name still show, yet your review feed and lists do not. Since September 2025 Google removed the follower system in Maps, you no longer approve or reject followers. The profile privacy switch still lets you hide or unhide contributions on your profile page. Google also announced that the follower system is going away in Maps now.
This setting helps if your main concern is the profile page, not the place page. People who already opened the doctor’s listing may still see the review there. The switch stays useful when you want your profile to be quiet and not show a long trail of clinic visits.
| Privacy Move | Where It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Restricted profile | Your public profile page in Maps | Hiding your review feed from casual browsing |
| Edit review | Doctor’s page and your profile | Keeping the rating while removing personal info |
| Delete review | Doctor’s page and your profile | Pulling the post when you want zero footprint |
Reduce Exposure Without Breaking Any Rules
Trim Photos And Attachments
Clear out photos that show faces, screens, or paperwork. Crop signage instead. If a photo is the story, blur staff name tags before posting.
Keep Names Out Of The Text
Skip the doctor’s full name in the body of the review if it already appears at the top of the place page. Avoid naming nurses, receptionists, or other patients. That keeps the note framed as feedback on the visit, not on people.
Use Plain, Verifiable Facts
Stick to what you observed: scheduling, access, office cleanliness, time spent in the waiting area, bedside manner, and clarity on next steps. Leave out test codes, record numbers, or anything tied to your identity. If you need to send protected details, use the clinic’s patient portal instead of a public post.
Check Location History
Some people also trim past location traces from their Google Account. If your account saved visits to clinics, you can remove those logs in the account settings for Location History. Google has shared guidance on medical visits and location history in its privacy posts, and you can clear entries yourself if you prefer a blank map.
When A Review Vanishes Or Gets Flagged
Reviews can be blocked or removed when they break site rules. Off-topic rants, copied comments, doxxing, or incentives can trigger filters. Doctors can also report posts that break policy. See the prohibited and restricted content page for the boundaries. If your post disappears by mistake, edit and repost with clean wording. Avoid pasting the same text across multiple sites on the same day, since that can look spammy.
Common Misconceptions About Hiding A Google Doctor Review
“If I set my profile to Restricted, the review vanishes everywhere.” Not quite. The toggle hides your contributions on your profile page. The doctor’s business page can still show the text and rating.
“Changing my name only affects new reviews.” Name changes can display next to past reviews as well. Screenshots taken by others or caches outside Google are beyond your reach.
“Deleting the review hurts my account.” Removing a post is fine. You can post later with a new level of detail. Stay within site rules and you are fine.
“I can post from a second account to hide my identity.” Be careful. Do not post duplicate reviews or false experiences. Google’s policy forbids fake engagement and sock-puppet tactics.
Safer Ways To Phrase A Doctor Review
Great: “Easy parking, friendly front desk, appointment started on time.”
Great: “Clear explanation of options, good follow-up call the next day.”
Risky: “Diagnosis of X on Y date with prescription Z at dose W.”
Risky: “Photo of lab slip with MRN and date of birth.”
Pre-Post Checklist For A Doctor Review
Before you post again, run a quick check. Small tweaks make a big difference in how searchable your note is and how much of you it reveals.
- Read the text aloud once. If any sentence sounds like a medical chart, shorten it.
- Remove dates, claim numbers, or ticket IDs that could tie back to your record.
- Swap exact times for ranges like “about 20 minutes.”
- Look at attached photos at full zoom. Blur or crop anything that shows a face, a wristband, a license plate, or a document.
- Keep names out of the body if the place page already shows the doctor’s name.
- Use neutral verbs. “Explained options clearly” carries your point without disclosing conditions or treatments.
- Check your display name and photo one last time. If you changed them, confirm the new info shows the way you expect.
Edge Cases And Extras
Billing or insurance disputes tempt people to post documents. Skip that. State what happened in plain words and send documents only through the clinic or insurer’s secure channels. If you are sharing praise, the same rules apply. Keep it warm and general. A tight, respectful note reads well and avoids oversharing.
Privacy-Minded Extras For Healthcare Visits
A few habits reduce digital traces while still letting you share a fair review. None of these change how Google shows reviews, yet they lower what ties back to you.
- Use a neutral profile photo. A landscape or solid color keeps the focus on the words.
- Turn off photo geotagging on your phone before snapping waiting room pictures.
- If you share a receipt image, cover barcodes and account lines first.
- Do not paste email threads with the office into a review. Summarise the outcome instead.
- Keep screenshots of portals off public sites. Save them to your records only.
Taking An Honest Path That Still Protects You
You can keep a record of your experience and still protect yourself. Use edit or delete when a post carries more detail than you want. Use the profile privacy switch to hide your review feed on your profile. Change the name on your account if you prefer a low-key label. For quick reference, the links to the official steps are here again in case you need them later.
Handy references: use the edit/delete paths in Maps, the profile privacy switch in Settings, and the content rules page to see what is allowed. Bookmark these notes for quick fixes.