That one bad review.
The one from a few years ago.One star. No comment.
And somehow, it still shows up on page one every time someone Googles your business name.
If you’ve ever wondered why deals go quiet after someone “checks you out,” this is usually why.
I ran into this exact situation recently and went down the rabbit hole trying to figure out what actually works — and what makes things worse.
Here’s what I learned.
First: Don’t Panic and Don’t React Emotionally
The worst move is either:
- Ignoring it completely, or
- Firing off an emotional response
Neither helps your reputation, and neither helps how Google sees your business.
Before doing anything, it helps to understand why that review is still showing:
- How old it is
- How much recent activity your business has
- Whether Google sees your listing as “active”
I had this broken down for me in a simple executive-style report from CRV Service, and it clarified a lot. Seeing everything laid out made it obvious what was actually keeping the review visible.
Second: Respond But Keep It Short and Professional
Long explanations don’t help. Defensiveness hurts.
What works is a calm, professional acknowledgment.
Something like:“Thanks for the feedback. We’ve updated our processes since then and appreciate the opportunity to improve.”
That response isn’t really for the reviewer — it’s for future customers and Google.
Third: Replace the Old Story With New Activity
One review only carries weight when there’s nothing newer to compete with it.
What actually moves the needle:
- Consistent new reviews
- Asking at the right time (after good service)
- Making it easy (QR codes, short links, follow-ups)
Once a handful of recent five-star reviews start coming in, Google naturally shifts attention away from old, low-context reviews.
Fourth: Stay Active on Google (This Matters More Than People Think)
Posting to your Google Business profile sounds small, but it adds up.
New photos, service updates, short posts all of it signals that your business is active and relevant.
Google tends to reward consistency more than perfection.
What Usually Happens
In most cases, within a few weeks:
- The old review drops lower
- Newer content takes its place
- Prospects stop seeing that one-star review first
- It doesn’t disappear it just stops defining you
If You’re Curious What Shows Up About Your Business
If you want clarity without guessing, having a neutral reputation scan helps.
That’s how I saw mine — through a free executive-style report from CRV Service that just showed what customers and Google see, nothing salesy.
Sometimes seeing the full picture is enough to know what to fix.
- Builds trust without selling
- Much stronger for organic SEO + credibility
- Tone it even more casual
- Remove CRV Service entirely except one mention
Or tweak it specifically to hit 80+ Rank Math without changing the voice
