How to Change a Google Review You've Already Left
Google reviews are permanent once posted — but they're not locked forever. If you've changed your mind about a business, spotted a typo, or want to update a rating after a follow-up experience, Google does allow you to edit or delete reviews you've written. The process is straightforward, but where and how you do it depends on the device and app you're using.
Can You Actually Edit or Delete a Google Review?
Yes — but only reviews you wrote yourself. Google does not give users, business owners, or third parties the ability to modify someone else's review. If you're a customer who left a review, you have full control to edit or remove it at any time. If you're a business owner hoping to change or delete a customer's negative review, that's a different process entirely (reporting, not editing), and it's subject to Google's content policies.
How to Change a Google Review on Mobile (Android or iOS)
The most common way people access their past reviews is through the Google Maps app.
- Open Google Maps on your phone
- Tap your profile picture or initial in the top-right corner
- Select "Your contributions"
- Tap the "Reviews" tab
- Find the review you want to change
- Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) next to that review
- Choose "Edit review" to update the text or star rating — or "Delete review" to remove it entirely
- Save your changes
The update goes live quickly, usually within a few minutes, though Google's systems may take slightly longer to reflect changes across all surfaces.
How to Change a Google Review on Desktop
If you're on a computer, the path is slightly different:
- Go to Google Maps at maps.google.com
- Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner
- Select "Your contributions"
- Click "Reviews"
- Find the review you want to edit
- Click the three-dot menu next to it
- Select "Edit review" or "Delete review"
Alternatively, you can search for the business directly in Google Search, scroll to its review section, and if you've previously reviewed it, your review will appear with edit options at the top.
What You Can Change in a Google Review
When editing a review, you can modify:
- ⭐ Star rating — raise or lower it from 1 to 5 stars
- Written text — correct errors, add detail, or completely rewrite the review
- Photos — add new images or remove ones you previously attached
What you cannot change is the original date of the review. Google will show when the review was first posted and when it was last edited, so readers can see the history.
Why You Might Want to Update a Review
Understanding when updating makes sense helps clarify what the edit function is actually for:
| Reason | Edit or Delete? |
|---|---|
| Business resolved your complaint | Edit — update rating and note the improvement |
| You made a factual error | Edit — correct the information |
| Your opinion changed after more visits | Edit — reflect your current experience |
| Review was left for wrong business | Delete — then leave a new one on the correct listing |
| Personal information accidentally included | Delete or edit to remove it |
What Business Owners Can (and Can't) Do
Business owners sometimes ask whether they can respond to or remove reviews. Here's how that actually works:
- Responding to reviews is available through Google Business Profile — owners can post a public reply, but cannot alter the original review text or rating
- Flagging/reporting a review as policy-violating is possible, but Google only removes reviews that genuinely breach its guidelines (spam, hate speech, off-topic content, conflict of interest)
- Requesting removal does not guarantee deletion — Google evaluates flagged reviews and makes the final call
This means the only person who can truly change a review is the person who wrote it.
Common Problems When Trying to Edit a Review
A few issues can get in the way:
- Wrong Google account — if you're signed into a different account than the one used to post the original review, the edit option won't appear
- Review not showing — Google occasionally removes reviews that its algorithm flags as suspicious; if your review disappeared, it wasn't deleted by you
- App vs. browser discrepancies — if edit options aren't showing in one interface, try switching between the Maps app and a desktop browser
The Variables That Affect Your Experience 🔧
The steps above cover the standard process, but the actual experience varies depending on a few factors:
- Operating system and app version — Google Maps updates its UI periodically; menu placements can shift between versions
- Account type — a standard Google account and a Google Workspace account may show slightly different interfaces
- Whether you're signed in — all review management requires being logged into the Google account that posted the review
- Review age and activity — very old reviews or accounts with unusual activity patterns may occasionally trigger additional verification steps
Someone using a frequently updated Google Maps app on Android will generally have a smoother experience than someone accessing an older browser version or a lesser-used account.
The mechanics are consistent — Google built the editing system to be accessible — but how quickly you locate the right menu and whether your account environment cooperates depends entirely on your specific setup.