No, on Google reviews you can’t reply in a thread; update your original review or contact the business directly.
You opened Google Maps, left feedback, and the owner answered. Now you want to respond back under that same thread. The short take: Google doesn’t offer a public “reply to the reply.” You can update your original review, change the rating, or reach out privately. This guide walks through what you can and can’t do, the best ways to follow up, and how owners can keep the exchange constructive without turning reviews into a back-and-forth comment chain.
What You Can And Can’t Do After An Owner Responds
Google designed the review area as a one-layer conversation: customers post a review, and the business can post a single public response at a time. There isn’t a nested comment feature for reviewers to reply under the owner response. That design keeps the review feed readable and reduces drawn-out debates. Still, you have several solid options to clarify, correct, or continue the conversation the right way.
Customer Options At A Glance
Here’s a quick matrix of the actions customers typically need and what each action does.
| Action | Where To Do It | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Edit your review text or rating | Google Maps > Your contributions > Reviews | Updates replace the original review; the owner’s response remains unless they change it later. |
| Add clarifications inside your review | Same edit flow as above | Readers see the updated review in one place; no new thread opens. |
| Remove your review | Google Maps > Your contributions > Reviews | The review and the owner response both disappear from public view. |
| Post new photos to support your experience | While editing the review | Images appear with the review and can help readers understand context. |
| Contact the business directly | Website, phone, or email listed on the profile | Good for billing issues, refunds, or sensitive matters that need details. |
Replying To An Owner Response On Google Reviews: Rules And Workarounds
There is no public “reply back” button beneath an owner’s message. The clean workaround is to revise your original review to include a short follow-up line such as, “Update: owner replied; here’s what changed…” That keeps the history in one post without starting a thread. You can also adjust your star rating if the issue was fixed or if new details change your view.
Why Google Keeps It Single-Layer
Review pages attract lots of readers who scan quickly. Long, stacked threads would drown the core message—what happened and how the business handled it. A single response from the owner offers context while keeping the feed tidy. If more nuance is needed, the edit button lets you incorporate it into one coherent review.
How To Edit Or Remove Your Review
Open Google Maps on desktop or mobile, head to “Your contributions,” then “Reviews.” Choose the review, tap the three dots, and pick Edit or Delete. Google’s official steps are here: edit your review. If you edit, keep the new text concise and factual. If you delete, the owner’s response goes away with it.
Best Practices For Customers
When you revise your review after an owner reply, your words guide future shoppers. Keep it grounded, share what changed, and flag any resolution that occurred. That gives readers the complete arc of your experience and prevents a ping-pong exchange.
Write A Useful Update
- Start with a brief “Update:” line so readers notice the change.
- State what the owner addressed: refund issued, replacement sent, appointment rescheduled, new policy explained.
- Note any remaining gaps in plain terms, without speculation or guesses.
- If the situation improved, adjust the rating to match the final outcome.
When To Delete Instead Of Edit
Delete only when the review no longer reflects any current state or was posted on the wrong listing. If the experience is still relevant, editing is stronger because it preserves the timeline and helps readers learn from it.
What To Do If The Owner’s Response Is Off-Topic Or Contains Errors
Stick to facts in your update. Avoid back-and-forth jabs. If a reply breaks platform rules (hate speech, doxxing, or similar), use the report tools available on the listing or seek help through Google’s channels. Otherwise, let your clear update be the final word.
Best Practices For Business Owners
Owners can and should respond to reviews, and those replies appear publicly on the profile. Verified profiles can post replies through Search or Maps. Google’s directions are here: reply to reviews. A steady, calm tone helps readers trust what they see on the page.
How To Craft A Reply That Reduces Friction
- Lead with a thank-you for the feedback, even when the rating is low.
- Address the specific points the reviewer raised.
- Offer a path to fix the issue: direct line, order number, or booking desk.
- Keep private details off the review page; move those into a one-to-one channel.
- Sign off with a name or initials so the message feels human.
Editing Your Reply Later
Owners can edit their own responses in the same area where replies are posted. Use that sparingly—readers value stability. If facts change, post a short, clear edit rather than a brand-new narrative.
When Not To Reply
Skip replies that repeat legal language, argue point-by-point, or call out the customer by name in a defensive way. Readers tune out when a thread looks combative. A brief, helpful message wins more trust than a long rebuttal.
Common Situations And The Smart Next Step
Different moments call for different actions. Use the table below to pick the cleanest path that keeps the page readable and useful.
| Situation | Best Action | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Owner replies with a fix in progress | Edit the review with a one-line update | Shows readers the resolution without starting a thread. |
| Owner reply has a minor factual slip | Clarify in your edited review | Corrects the record while keeping the page tidy. |
| Owner reply is long or rhetorical | Leave a calm, factual edit; avoid debate | Keeps focus on your experience and outcome. |
| Issue is fully resolved | Update text and adjust rating | Reflects fairness and helps future shoppers. |
| Wrong listing or outdated case | Delete the review | Removes confusion for readers and the business. |
Step-By-Step: How A Customer Updates A Review
On Mobile
- Open Google Maps and tap your profile photo.
- Tap “Your profile” or “Your contributions,” then “Reviews.”
- Find the review, tap the three dots, and choose “Edit.”
- Add a short “Update:” line, adjust text and rating if needed, then save.
On Desktop
- Go to maps.google.com and sign in.
- Click the menu > “Your contributions” > “Reviews.”
- Click the three dots next to the review and choose “Edit” or “Delete.”
Step-By-Step: How An Owner Replies From Search
- Sign in to the Google account that manages the profile.
- Search your business name on Google.
- In the “Customers” or “Reviews” module, open the review and click “Reply.”
- Write a short, direct message and send.
- If the situation changes later, open the same spot and edit the reply.
Tone Tips That Keep Readers On Your Side
For Customers
- Keep it short. Two to four sentences land better than a long essay.
- Stick to what you saw, what you paid, what happened next.
- Skip sarcasm or guesswork. Clarity helps shoppers more than quips.
For Owners
- Thank the reviewer and mirror the main point in a sentence.
- Offer a direct channel for sensitive details: order number, name, date.
- Close with a real name or initials for a human touch.
What Readers Expect From A Resolved Case
Readers look for three things: a fix, a fair tone, and a timeline. If a refund got issued, say so. If a manager took ownership, say that plainly. If the experience changed over time, mark it with a date inside your edited review: “Update (May 2025): replacement arrived in two days.” These simple signals help shoppers reach a decision without needing a thread.
Edge Cases And Good Choices
Owner Reply Mentions Private Data
Edit your review to note that you’ve shared the details privately and ask the owner to remove any personal info from their response. If the reply crosses content rules, report it through the profile tools. Keep your edit neutral so the page remains helpful to others.
Owner Reply Conflicts With Receipts Or Photos
Edit your review and attach images that show the facts—order number, receipt, or product photo. Let the pictures do the heavy lifting. Readers can connect the dots without a thread.
Owner Asks You To Reach Out
Use the channel they offered and add a short update later. That single post will carry the whole story from problem to fix, which is exactly what shoppers value.
Quick FAQ-Style Notes (No Threads Needed)
Can A Reviewer Start A New Comment Under The Owner Reply?
No. The structure doesn’t permit nested replies. Use the edit button to place your reply inside the review itself so readers see one complete post.
Will The Owner Be Notified If I Edit?
Edits refresh the review on the page. Owners who watch their profile will see the change; many use alerts or dashboards that surface new activity.
Does Deleting My Review Remove The Owner Reply?
Yes. When a review is removed, its paired response disappears from public view as well.
Why This Approach Works For Everyone
Shoppers want a quick read that shows both sides in a calm tone. A single review with an owner response—and, when needed, a short edit from the customer—keeps the page readable while still capturing the full story. Businesses stay engaged without debating in public. Customers retain control of their message by keeping the record updated in one place.
Final Take: The Smart Way To Follow Up
You can’t post a public reply under an owner response on Google’s review feed. Use the edit button to add a short update, attach any proof, and adjust your rating if the outcome changed. Owners should keep replies crisp, offer a path to fix issues, and edit responses only when new facts arrive. With those habits in place, the review page stays clear, fair, and useful for everyone.