The practice of review gating creates heavily biased feedback loops by filtering out critical customer opinions before they can reach the public. While major platforms like Google have updated policies to penalize manipulating merchants, regulators actively pursue businesses that mislead prospective buyers. A previous investigation revealed widespread compliance issues, showing that over a third of reviewed businesses engaged in review manipulation tactics.
Key points
Review gating is legally considered a false or misleading representation under Australian…: Review gating is legally considered a false or misleading representation under Australian consumer protection statutes.
Companies caught gating reviews on Google face severe penalties, including profile warnin…: Companies caught gating reviews on Google face severe penalties, including profile warning alerts, review deletions, and feature restrictions.
Members of the public can report deceptive review conduct directly through Google's inter…: Members of the public can report deceptive review conduct directly through Google's interface and the regulator's online portal.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
I have noticed that when I get an email inviting me to review a product or service I have purchased online or physically, if I select a high rating I am taken to Google to write a review. However, if I select a low rating, I am then told “We are sorry” etc and asked what is wrong. I am not taken to Google to write a review. This would lead to very biased reviews. Is this practice legal? – Tom, Queensland
Kat says: Screening reviews and sorting feedback based on a consumer’s initial sentiment is known colloquially online as “review gating”. It’s a dark pattern that is common enough that Google has banned it outright. And while the Australian consumer law doesn’t name the practice explicitly, it is clearly prohibited under laws relating to business reviews and false and misleading practices.
In early 2026, Google made some pointed changes to its Maps User Generated Content policy. The new policy states that Google does not allow businesses to “discourage or prohibit negative reviews, or selectively solicit positive reviews from customers”.…
International Business Machines has implemented an updated hiring strategy affecting its global consulting operations. The enterprise technology firm's new directive alters hiring qualifications across this entire business segment. Candidates seeking employment within the company's advisory arm will no longer receive corporate immigration assistance.
Major cloud and tech giants are positioned to capture substantial financial returns from their backing of artificial intelligence startup Anthropic. The forthcoming public listing stands to generate notable windfalls for early corporate stakeholders as public market interest in the artificial intelligence sector accelerates. This event will likely demonstrate the lucrative nature of strategic corporate venture bets in foundation model developers.
Credit analysts are showing greater confidence in the legacy automaker's operational trajectory following recent performance assessments. S&P implemented the change after evaluating General Motors and determining that an adjustment in stance was warranted. This reassessment provides the financial markets with an updated evaluation regarding the company's financial profile.