As of April 30, 2025, Google has removed all reviews and star ratings from Business Profiles associated with K–12 educational institutions. This impacts how these schools appear on Google Search and Maps, and how they collect and showcase feedback.
 

What Changed?

Google has:

• Removed all existing reviews and star ratings from K–12 school profiles
• Disabled the ability to leave new reviews for these institutions

This policy applies to:

• Elementary, middle, and high schools
• Pre-K–12 and K–12 institutions
• Charter schools and school districts
• Religious or independent K–12 schools

This policy does not apply to:

• Colleges and universities (including graduate schools and community colleges)
• Trade or vocational schools (e.g., cosmetology, HVAC programs)
• Tutoring or after-school programs
• Standalone preschools (may retain reviews)
• Online-only education providers, unless labeled in Google as K–12

Tip: To see if the change applies, check the business category in your Google Business Profile. If it’s categorized under “Elementary School,” “High School,” or “K–12 School,” the reviews are affected.

Why Did Google Make This Change?

Google cited a growing problem with false, prank, or unhelpful reviews posted on K–12 school profiles. The decision is part of a broader effort to protect educational institutions from misuse, misinformation, and potential reputational harm.

How Does This Affect Birdeye Customers in K–12 Education?

Even without Google reviews, Birdeye continues to add value for K–12 institutions by enabling them to:

• Collect feedback via controlled channels like surveys, forms, and messages
• Improve family and staff satisfaction with internal feedback tools
• Showcase authentic testimonials on websites, newsletters, and social media
• Communicate more effectively with families and staff
• Distribute reviews to 150+ non-Google platforms

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does this change affect colleges or other educational institutions?

A: No. This update only applies to K–12 institutions. Colleges, universities, and vocational schools are unaffected for now. However, it reinforces the need for schools at every level to take ownership of their feedback and reputation strategies.

Q: Will Google bring reviews back for K–12 schools?

A: Google has not announced any plans to reverse the decision. The removal appears to be permanent, underscoring the importance of using alternative review collection methods and internal feedback systems like Birdeye.

If you need help adapting your review and feedback strategy for a post-Google review world, Birdeye is here to assist you.