To change a Google review, open Your contributions in Maps, pick the review, tap Edit, update the text or stars, and save.
Need to update a rating or rewrite a comment you left for a place on Google? You can adjust the stars, fix typos, add new details, or even remove the post. The process takes a minute once you know where Google keeps your past feedback: the Your contributions section inside Maps on mobile or desktop. This guide shows fast steps, edge cases that block edits, and smart ways to rewrite a post so it helps other shoppers and doesn’t get filtered.
Change Or Update Your Google Review: Step-By-Step
The edit path is the same idea on phone and computer. You go to your list of posted ratings, choose the place, and hit Edit. Here are the exact taps and clicks that work today.
On iPhone Or Android
- Open the Google Maps app and sign in with the same account you used to post the rating.
- Tap your profile photo → Your contributions → Reviews.
- Find the place, tap the three dots, then pick Edit review.
- Change stars, rewrite the text, and add or remove photos.
- Tap Post. Your updated note replaces the old one.
On A Computer
- Visit Google Maps in a browser and log in.
- Open the main menu → Your contributions → Reviews.
- Next to the post, click the three dots → Edit review.
- Update the rating, rewrite the copy, and save.
Delete Instead Of Edit
If your view has changed completely, you can remove the post. Use the same menu and choose Delete review. This removes your stars, text, and photos from the place page a few moments later.
Quick Reference: Where To Find And Change Past Ratings
Use this table as a fast refresher any time you need to tweak a post or pull one down.
| Device | Path To Your Reviews | What You Can Change |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone / Android | Maps app → Profile → Your contributions → Reviews | Stars, text, photos; or delete entirely |
| Desktop | maps.google.com → Menu → Your contributions → Reviews | Stars, text, photos; or delete entirely |
| Search Shortcut | Search the place on Google → Open the place card → Your review → Edit | Stars and text; photo tweaks if present |
What Changes Look Like To Others
After you fix a rating, the post shows the new stars and text. The time-stamp shifts to the latest edit date. If the owner replied to the earlier version, the reply still sits under your post, so the back-and-forth stays readable. If you remove your post, the owner’s reply goes with it since there’s nothing left to reply to.
Will People See That You Edited?
They see the latest version and an updated date. The old text does not remain visible on the page. That means you can correct a harsh tone, add fresh context, or clean up errors without leaving the rough draft behind.
When Edits Don’t Work And Why
Most changes go through at once. If you can’t change or remove a post, one of these blockers is likely in play:
- Wrong account: You’re signed into a different Gmail than the one that posted the rating.
- Place-level limits: For short periods, Google can pause new posts or edits for certain places when abuse spikes.
- Policy issues: If the text or photo trips a rule, the post may be hidden or sent for review. Edits may be limited until it clears.
- Listing changes: A merge, rename, or closed listing can shuffle where posts appear. Your edit path can look blank until the listing settles.
How To Fix Common Roadblocks
- Confirm the account: In Maps, check the profile avatar. Swap to the account that wrote the post.
- Try both platforms: If mobile blocks an edit, use a desktop browser, or the other way around.
- Trim banned bits: Remove phone numbers, booking links, or personal details. Keep it about your experience at the place.
- Wait a little: Place-level limits lift. Try again later if the menu button vanishes or edits don’t stick.
Write A Better Rewrite: Short Guide
An edit is a second chance to help the next person pick wisely. Keep it straight, specific, and useful. The best posts share clear facts that match the visit: what you ordered, staff speed, price range, access, parking, noise, or a standout fix from the team.
Before You Press Post
- Lead with stars that match the text: A five-star line with long complaints sends mixed signals.
- Stick to first-hand details: Describe what you saw, paid, or tried. Avoid second-hand claims.
- Use fresh info: If the place changed ownership or menu, say when you visited.
- Add a photo when it helps: Menus, dishes, or access ramps make the note more useful.
Policy Basics You Should Know
Google has clear rules for ratings and photos. Posts must come from real visits, without gifts or discounts tied to the rating. Content with personal data, hate speech, or off-topic rants gets pulled. When edits vanish or a place stops taking new ratings for a while, it often ties back to these rules or site-wide safety work.
What Edits Can’t Fix
Edits can’t move your note to a different listing. If you posted to the wrong branch, remove it and post on the right place page. You also can’t switch the owner reply layout. Replies always sit under the reviewer’s name and stars. If your rewrite flips the tone, the owner reply may not match anymore; that’s normal.
Delete Vs. Edit: Which Move Makes Sense?
Use this table to pick the right path. When in doubt, a clean rewrite that adds clear facts helps other shoppers more than a removal.
| Action | What Others See | Good Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Edit the post | New stars and text; updated date | Menu changed, issue got fixed, you found an error |
| Remove the post | Nothing remains on the place page | Wrong location, wrong business, posted in haste |
| Add photos | Images show under your note | Menu, product, access, or seating details help others |
Careful Rewrites That Stay Live
To keep your post visible, keep the text on the visit itself. Skip links to booking portals or staff names. Avoid private details about other guests. Stick to what you ordered or the service you used, timing, price, and results. If your first version was written on the same day as a stressful moment, a cool-headed rewrite can share the same facts without sharp edges.
Tone That Builds Trust
- Be specific: “Burger came medium-well as ordered” beats “Great food.”
- Be fair: Share both wins and misses from the same visit.
- Be current: If you return and the fix holds, update the note and stars.
Ethics: No Gifts, No Scripts
Ratings work when they reflect real visits with no payment attached. Skip any offer that trades a perk for a rating. If a place emails you a template to paste, don’t use it. Your own words, tied to your own visit, keep the system useful for everyone.
What Happens After You Edit Or Delete
Edits usually publish in seconds. In rare cases they can sit in a short review queue. If a place has a surge of fake posts, Google can pause new ratings for that place for a while. That pause can also slow changes to past posts. Once the pause lifts, your menu button returns and you can edit again.
Owner Replies After Your Rewrite
Business owners can reply once to each post. If you soften a harsh note after a fix, the old reply may look out of sync. You can add a sentence in your update that points out the fix you saw during your return visit so readers get the full picture.
Fast Troubleshooting Checklist
- Signed into the right account?
- Menu shows the three dots next to your post?
- Text avoids phone numbers, booking links, and private data?
- Still blocked? Try desktop if mobile fails, or try mobile if desktop fails.
Smart Rewrite Template You Can Copy
Here’s a quick pattern you can adapt in one pass:
“Visit: Sept 2025, lunch. Waited 12 minutes for a table. Ordered chicken plate and hot tea. Staff swapped my side fast when I asked. Price $$ for the area. Noise level low. Came back in Oct after a menu refresh; service speed improved and portions increased. Adjusting to 4 stars.”
Why Clean Edits Help Shoppers
Fresh posts make place pages more accurate. A clear update tells others what changed: new chef, quicker check-out, a repaired ramp, or fresh hours. When lots of visitors keep their notes current, shoppers save time and avoid bad bets. Your small edit can steer real-world choices.
Wrap-Up: Make The Change With Confidence
You can change stars, rewrite the text, add photos, or remove the post. If a menu or owner reply makes your earlier words outdated, a quick edit puts the best info on top. If you posted to the wrong branch, remove it and post on the right page. Keep it honest, keep it clear, and you’re done.