Is Your School Missing Google Reviews? Here’s the Reason

As of April 30, 2025, Google has implemented a significant change affecting schools worldwide: the removal of all reviews and ratings from Google Business Profiles categorized as "general education" institutions. This decision impacts primary and secondary schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools.

Why Did Google Make This Change?

Google's decision aims to address concerns about the quality and relevance of reviews on school listings. Many reviews were found to be unhelpful, off-topic, or even harmful, often posted by individuals without direct experience with the school. To maintain the integrity of information on its platform, Google decided to disable reviews for general education schools.

Which Schools Are Affected?

This policy specifically targets institutions categorized as "general education" schools, typically serving students aged 6 to 18. This includes elementary, middle, and high schools.

However, certain educational institutions are exempt from this policy, such as:

1. Preschools
2. Daycare centers
3. Colleges and universities
4. Vocational and postgraduate schools

These institutions can still display and receive reviews on their Google profiles.

What About Existing Reviews?

All existing reviews and ratings for affected schools have been removed from their Google listings. Additionally, the option to submit new reviews or ratings has been disabled.

Changing Your Google Business Category: Can It Bring Back School Reviews?

If you change the Google Business Profile category from “School” (or any general education category) to something else—like “Private Tutor,” “Educational Consultant,” or “Learning Center”—Google may allow reviews and ratings to appear again. However, this tactic comes with important considerations:

What Could Happen (Potential Benefits):

• Reviews and ratings might reappear.
• New reviews may become visible again.
• Your listing might become eligible for typical engagement features.

What You Should Watch Out For:

• Misrepresentation risk: If the category doesn’t accurately reflect your institution, your profile could be flagged or penalized by Google.
• Loss of visibility in school-related searches: You might not appear for keywords like “schools near me” or “best high schools in [location].”
• Trust issues: Parents and students might find it confusing if your school is listed under an unrelated category.

Recommendation:

Only consider changing the category if:

• Your organization genuinely fits into another educational service type.
• You prioritize displaying reviews over ranking for school-related search terms.

‍