Is Buying Google Reviews Illegal in Malaysia

We all love taking shortcuts

And let’s be honest, we've all once thought of buying Google reviews to boost our business's reputation.

But in Malaysia, paying for fake Google reviews actually carries serious risk.

Here’s why it’s risky, and how you can stay compliant while building real trust.

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1. Fake reviews are now a banned unfair practice

Under recent international consumer protection laws, like the UK’s DMCC Act, fake reviews are officially classified as a banned practice.

This means they’re always considered unfair and illegal.

While Malaysia hasn’t yet reached that stage of strictness yet, you do still get called out by the public if you're ever found buying fake reviews.

Not to mention, buying fake reviews also tells your customer that you're insecure about your business, and you have no legitmate way to getting good reviews.

This further hurts your reputation, and hurts the trust your existing customers have for you.

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2. Violating Google’s own policy

Google strictly prohibits fake engagement or reviews.

If caught, your Google Business Profile could be suspended, or even worse, permanently removed!

Without a Google Business Profile, your customers can no longer find you online or on Google Maps.

This would harm your business sales a lot, and erasing all of the progress that you've worked hard for.

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3. Legal and reputational consequences

Even though there’s no Malaysian law that specifically criminalises fake reviews, you could be liable under:

• Unfair trade practices (if you mislead consumers), or
• Misleading advertising standards enforced by Malaysian advertising authorities

Both could lead to fines, reputational blowback, or removal of your digital listings.

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4. Can you remove fake Google reviews on already on your profile?

The short answer is Yes, but Google does not do it automatically.

Of course, Google already has a system built in that detects and removes reviews, but it isn't perfect, which is why sometimes your genuine customer reviews are never shown.

The best thing you can do, is to falg suspicious reviews, and have Google have a look.

This process can take days or weeks, but you can also hasten the process via Google Business Support, especially if the fake reviews are affecting your business.

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5. How to build trust without breaking rules

✅ Ask real customers to leave honest reviews.
✅ Make it easy: send a link to your Google review page after every job.
✅ Balance is key: a mix of good and constructive reviews looks legitimate.

I know only a handful of businesses do this consistently, but that’s how you stay authentic and credible.

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Bottom line: don’t risk it

👉 Buying Google reviews might seem tempting to boost your reputation quickly, but legal trouble and lost credibility aren’t worth it.

✅ Real reviews = real growth
✅ Real trust = long-term customers

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Trust isn’t built with shortcuts. It’s earned. Let’s earn it the right way.