In a significant move against online fraud, Google has announced the successful removal of over 170 million policy-violating reviews from its Maps and Search platforms. The company credits its new machine learning (ML) algorithm for this achievement, which has proven instrumental in detecting and blocking fake reviews and protecting businesses from malicious activities.
Google’s Machine Learning Algorithm: A Game-Changer
Google’s machine learning algorithm, introduced last year, played a pivotal role in identifying and eliminating policy-violating reviews. The tech giant reported a 45% increase in the removal of fake reviews compared to the previous year. The algorithm analyzes longer-term signals daily, such as repeated reviews across multiple businesses or sudden spikes in 1 or 5-star ratings, enabling quicker detection of questionable review patterns.
Beyond Fake Reviews: Safeguarding Business Profiles
Not only did Google’s algorithm tackle fake reviews, but it also blocked over 12 million fake business profiles. The company’s commitment to enhancing security measures is evident in the protection of business owners from over 2 million hacking attempts to claim unauthorized Business Profiles, a notable increase from the previous year.
Continuous Improvement: Video Moderation Algorithms
Google also highlighted improvements in video moderation algorithms, successfully detecting and removing 14 million policy-violating videos in 2023, a notable increase of 7 million compared to the previous year. These enhancements, including the detection of fake overlaid phone numbers, contribute to a safer online environment.
Legal Action Against Fake Reviews
In a proactive stance against online manipulation, Google filed a lawsuit last year against a malicious actor responsible for posting fake reviews on Maps and attempting fraudulent manipulation of services for small businesses. This legal action reflects Google’s dedication to maintaining the integrity of its platforms.
In Shorts
Google’s commitment to combating fake reviews and ensuring the security of its platforms is underscored by the success of its machine learning algorithms. As technology continues to evolve, Google remains vigilant in adapting its measures to protect users and businesses from online fraud.
