Google has announced that starting April 30, 2025, general education schools—such as elementary, middle, and high schools—will no longer be able to receive or display reviews on their Google Business Profiles. This global update follows similar actions already taken in the UK and Ireland, where reviews were removed due to a surge of off-topic, outdated, or harmful comments. The change is part of Google’s effort to protect schools from online reputation damage and ensure parents access more reliable information.
Keep reading to learn why this happened and what alternative platforms parents can use to read or leave school reviews.
Why It Happened?
This policy shift is the result of claims from school leaders and educators who’ve raised concerns about unfair or outdated reviews affecting school reputations. One significant moment that influenced this decision happened in the UK and Ireland. A petition (signatures from more than 60 school leaders, representing about 50 schools) organized by Justin Cowley, deputy headteacher at Mendell Primary School in Bromborough, urged Google to remove outdated and spiteful reviews from school listings on Google Maps.
In response, Google agreed to delete all user ratings and reviews for schools in the UK and Ireland. Thousands of reviews were removed, including those of prestigious institutions like Eton College. The tech giant said this move was due to “consistent off-topic and harmful reviews” and aimed to create a fairer environment for schools and parents alike. Although Google introduced a similar policy in 2019, enforcement had been inconsistent. Some schools still had visible reviews while others did not, leading to what Cowley called a “search engine lottery.” But as of April 30, 2025, the global enforcement of the policy is meant to close those gaps and make the review policy fair and consistent worldwide.
Google’s School Review Restrictions
Google now officially classifies general education schools (primary or secondary education including elementary, middle, and high schools) as “critical services,” placing them in a category that requires extra protection. This more active enforcement comes after years of inconsistency, and now schools around the world will experience the same restrictions already implemented in the UK and Ireland. This change is designed to:
- Safeguard student and staff privacy
- Prevent online harassment
- Limit misleading or outdated reviews
- Protect schools from potential reputation damage
However, this change does not affect preschools, colleges, universities, vocational schools, or postgraduate schools. Additionally, If a school’s current Google Business category does not accurately describe the institution, users may update it before April 30, 2025.
4 Alternative Review Platforms for Schools
With Google reviews for general education schools being phased out, families can still rely on trusted platforms to find or share school feedback. These alternatives not only help schools manage their digital presence and reputation but also offer more current, community-driven insights. They provide families with meaningful information to make informed decisions—while allowing schools to stay visible and connected online. Here are four strong options:
1. Niche.com
Niche is one of the most widely used school review platforms in the U.S. Parents, students, and alumni can rate schools on a 1–5 star scale across categories like academics, teachers, diversity, and extracurriculars. These reviews often appear in Google search results, giving your school visibility even without a Google review page. Schools can claim their profile by verifying with a school email or official document. Once verified, they can update contact info, highlight programs, upload photos, and add deadlines to keep the listing accurate and relevant.
2. Private School Locator
Private School Locator is a helpful directory for families considering private education, offering basic information on curriculum, contact details, and admissions. While it does not support direct user reviews, it plays an important role in helping parents explore and compare institutions.
3. GreatSchools.org
This platform offers families a comprehensive view of schools through ratings, user reviews, and data on academics and equity. Reviews can be submitted by parents, students, and teachers. Schools can claim their profile and, once verified, update key details about academic programs, extracurriculars, achievements, and overall school culture.
4. Facebook
Although it’s not a traditional review platform, Facebook does allow users to post “Recommendations” for a school. These recommendations are less structured than star ratings but can carry significant influence through word-of-mouth within your local community. If your school doesn’t already have a Facebook Page, you can create one. If a page exists but isn’t yet managed by your school, you can claim it as well. Be sure to respond promptly to both positive and negative feedback, and use the “Invite to Recommend” feature to encourage families to share their experiences.
Google’s removal of reviews for general education schools marks a significant shift, but it also creates opportunities for alternative platforms to help schools manage their online presence and reputation. Parents will still have access to valuable insights through trusted review sites, allowing them to make informed decisions while schools maintain visibility and strengthen connections with their communities. By claiming and updating their profiles, schools can ensure they provide accurate, up-to-date information to guide families as they navigate their educational choices.
