A Kiwi's Guide to Finding Your \"Google Reviews By Me\"

Ever found yourself wondering, "How do I actually see all the Google reviews I've written?" It’s a question plenty of Kiwis ask. The good news is, it's pretty simple: just pop open Google Maps, head to your profile, and tap on the 'Contributions' tab. Right there, you’ll find a full history of every single review you've ever left.

Why Bother Managing Your Google Reviews?

!Hands managing online reviews on a laptop displaying maps and charts in a modern workspace.

Your Google reviews aren't just throwaway comments—they're a public log of your experiences that genuinely helps other people make decisions. Whether you’ve raved about a fantastic cafe in Auckland or shared some constructive feedback for a local mechanic in Christchurch, your opinion adds to a community of trust.

Keeping this digital footprint in check is a smart idea. An old review from a couple of years ago might not reflect how you feel now, or perhaps the business has seriously lifted its game since your last visit. Making sure your contributions are up-to-date means your public feedback stays accurate and genuinely useful. Think of this guide as your go-to manual for taking charge of the reviews you’ve shared on Google.

The Real Impact of Your Feedback in New Zealand

Here in New Zealand, online reviews carry a lot of weight. They're a powerful tool that helps fellow Kiwis make informed choices every single day. Just think about how often you glance at reviews before trying a new restaurant, booking a hotel, or hiring a tradie. Your contributions are a crucial part of that whole process.

This reliance on Google isn't surprising. In 2025, Google dominates with a massive 96.8% of the search engine market in New Zealand, making it the default platform for everything from finding directions to checking out local businesses. With over 82% of Kiwis hitting up a search engine multiple times a day, your reviews on Google Maps and Search are getting in front of a huge audience, shaping countless decisions. You can dive deeper into these digital trends from recent reports.

> By taking a few moments to manage the "Google reviews by me" you've posted, you're making sure your voice isn't just heard, but that it stays relevant and trustworthy in a place where millions of your fellow New Zealanders are looking for a bit of guidance.

Finding Your Reviews on a Desktop Computer

!A desktop computer displaying Google Maps Contributions with 'FIND REVIEWS' on the screen, on a wooden desk.

If you want to see a full history of every review you've ever left on Google, hopping on your desktop is easily the best way to do it. The larger screen makes it much simpler to get a bird's-eye view of your entire contribution history, without the fiddly navigation of a mobile app.

Surprisingly, the whole process lives inside Google Maps. It's not just a tool for directions; it’s the central hub for all your local insights, including the ratings, photos, and detailed reviews you've shared over the years.

Navigating to Your Contributions

First things first, fire up your web browser and head to Google Maps. The most important step is to double-check that you're logged into the correct Google account—if you use more than one, you'll only see reviews tied to the account you're currently using.

Once you're in, look for the main menu icon, often called a "hamburger menu" (it looks like three horizontal lines), tucked away in the top-left corner. Click on that to open up a side panel.

From the list, find and select "Your contributions." This is your personal command centre for everything you've added to Google Maps. Next, click on the "Reviews" tab. This will bring up a clean, chronological list of every single review you've ever posted, with the newest at the top.

This is where the desktop view really shines. You can effortlessly scroll back to find that two-star review you left for a Wellington cafe six months ago or the glowing five-star recommendation for your mechanic in Tauranga. It’s far quicker than endlessly tapping and scrolling on your phone.

> Seeing all your reviews laid out on a big screen is incredibly useful. You can quickly scan for old feedback that might be outdated, get a sense of your own reviewing habits, and just generally manage your public-facing contributions more easily. It’s the definitive way to see your history.

Managing Your Reviews on Mobile Devices

!A hand holds a smartphone displaying the Google Maps logo, with text 'Google Maps Your Profile' and 'Mobile Reviews'.

Most of us leave reviews on the fly, right from our phones. It's no surprise, then, that Google makes it just as easy to manage those reviews on the go. The process is pretty much the same whether you're on an Android or an iPhone, and it all happens within the Google Maps app.

Think about it: you've just left a local dairy and gave them four stars. But walking home, you realise the service was so good it deserved five. You can just pull out your phone, open Maps, and bump up the rating in a few seconds. No need to wait until you're back at a computer.

This mobile-first approach is perfect for how Kiwis share their experiences, from a flat white at a city cafe to a visit to a stunning landmark. Just look at the reviews for places like Aoraki/Mount Cook or Auckland's Sky Tower – thousands of visitors share their thoughts, showing just how important these platforms have become for our tourism industry. You can read more about NZ's top-reviewed attractions and tourism trends.

Finding Your Reviews in the App

So, where do you find all the google reviews by me on your phone? It's incredibly simple.

First, open the Google Maps app. Then, tap on your profile picture or initial, which you'll find in the top-right corner of the screen.

A menu will pop up. From there, just select "Your profile." This takes you straight to your personal contributions page, which is the central hub for all your reviews, photos, and any edits you've made. Everything is laid out right there.

The mobile layout is a bit different to the desktop version, designed for scrolling vertically instead of clicking through tabs. You don't get the same fancy sorting options, but it’s perfect for quick fixes and updates when you're out and about.

> The real advantage of managing reviews on your phone is the immediacy. You can fix a typo, change a star rating, or delete a review for a business that's since closed, all in the moment. It helps keep your public feedback relevant and accurate.

This ease of access is what encourages so many people to leave reviews in the first place. Smart local businesses can tap into this by making it even simpler for their customers. For example, using a Google reviews QR code lets people share their feedback instantly, straight from their device.

How to Edit or Delete Your Google Reviews

!Close-up of a smartphone screen displaying 'Edit or Delete' on a blue background, resting on a wooden table.

We've all been there. You hit 'post' on a review and immediately spot a glaring typo, or maybe your experience with a business has changed over time. The good news is that Google gives you complete control to go back and either tweak or remove your feedback.

Whether you're on your laptop or phone, managing your "google reviews by me" all happens in the same spot: your Contributions profile in Google Maps. Simply find the review you're looking for, click the three-dot menu icon beside it, and you'll see two straightforward options: Edit review and Delete review.

When You Should Edit Your Review

Editing is your best bet for making updates or minor corrections without losing the history of your original post. It keeps the post date and any likes you've received, which is a great little feature.

It makes perfect sense to edit in a few common scenarios:

A business has made things right. Imagine you left a two-star review for a cafe in Napier because of slow service. If the manager gets in touch, apologises, and your next visit is brilliant, updating your review is the fair thing to do. It shows they listen to feedback and helps other potential customers. You want to add more detail. Perhaps your first review was a bit brief. You can easily go back to add more specifics, like calling out an amazing dish you tried or a staff member who went above and beyond. You’ve found a mistake. A quick edit can fix any typos or grammatical errors, making your review easier for everyone to read.

> The ability to edit is powerful. It lets your feedback grow with your experience, making sure it always gives an honest, up-to-date account of a local Kiwi business.

Taking a Review Down for Good

Deleting a review is final. Unlike editing, once it’s gone, it’s gone forever – there’s no getting it back. This is the right move if you feel the review is completely irrelevant now, or if you simply posted it by mistake.

Be aware, though, that reviews can sometimes disappear for reasons outside of your control. For instance, in early 2025, a major technical glitch saw countless Google Reviews in New Zealand vanish from business profiles, causing a bit of a panic for customers and owners alike. It was a stark reminder of how much our local digital community depends on Google's systems running smoothly. You can read more about this Google Reviews disruption in NZ to get the full picture.

Ever taken the time to write a thoughtful Google review, only for it to disappear? You check back, and it's gone—or worse, you can see it, but nobody else can. It’s a common and genuinely frustrating experience.

Most of the time, this isn’t some random glitch. It’s usually Google’s own automated systems doing their job, trying to keep the platform free of spam and unhelpful content. Your review has likely been flagged and hidden from public view.

So, Why Was My Review Hidden?

Google’s spam filters are aggressive and constantly working to weed out fake or inappropriate reviews. While they’re good at what they do, they can sometimes be a bit overzealous and flag legitimate feedback.

Here are a few common reasons your review might have been caught in the net:

Including a URL or link: This is one of the biggest red flags. Spammers love to stuff links into reviews, so Google’s algorithm is incredibly sensitive to any URL in the text. Adding personal information: Reviews containing phone numbers, email addresses, or other private details are a definite no-go and will almost certainly be removed to protect privacy. Going off-topic: If your review reads more like a personal rant about a customer service dispute rather than a genuine reflection of your experience with the business, it might get flagged for being off-topic.

> The key thing to realise is that this is all handled by an algorithm. It doesn't get nuance or context, so an innocent mistake can easily get your review hidden.

If you think this has happened to you, the first thing to do is pop over to your "Contributions" tab in Google Maps. If your review is still visible to you there, try giving it an edit. Stripping out anything that could be misinterpreted as a policy violation will often get it back in the public eye.

A Quick Guide for New Zealand Business Owners

If you’re a Kiwi business owner, it pays to understand exactly how your customers find and manage the reviews they leave for you. Every single piece of feedback—from a glowing five-star recommendation to a tough one-star comment—is a direct line into your customer's world. Keeping a close eye on these incoming reviews is your first, and most important, job.

But just watching them roll in isn't enough. Responding quickly and professionally is absolutely essential. A simple thank you for a positive review shows you're grateful and often encourages others to share their own great experiences.

Even more crucial is how you handle the negative ones. Addressing a bad review thoughtfully can completely turn a situation around. It shows potential customers that you’re listening, you care, and you’re committed to getting it right.

Turning Feedback into Fuel

Think of every review as a nugget of data you can use to improve your business. Do you see recurring complaints about slow service? Or maybe consistent praise for a particular staff member? These are clear, actionable insights handed to you on a platter.

> Use this feedback to refine your processes, train your team, and ultimately create a better customer experience. This proactive approach to reputation management turns customer opinions into one of your most powerful assets for growth.

To really make the most of your online presence, you also need a top-notch profile. Our Google My Business optimisation guide is packed with practical tips to make sure your listing is attracting and informing local customers. Combining that with active review management is a surefire way to help your business stand out in the competitive NZ market.

Common Questions About Managing Your Reviews

We get a lot of questions from Kiwis trying to find all the "Google reviews by me" they've ever written. Here are some of the most common ones we hear, along with some straightforward answers.

Why Can't I Find My Google Review?

It's a familiar feeling: you take the time to write a review, hit post, and then... nothing. It seems to have vanished. More often than not, it hasn't disappeared for good.

Sometimes there's just a bit of a lag before it goes public. Other times, Google's automated spam filters might have snagged it. These systems are pretty clever, but they can sometimes flag reviews that contain things like website links, email addresses, or even certain words that trip their policy filters. The first place you should always check is your 'Contributions' tab in Google Maps—it'll show you the exact status of every review you've submitted.

Can I Write a Review Anonymously?

The short answer is no, not really. Every single review you post is tied directly to your Google account, which means your name and profile picture are right there next to it.

You could change your Google account name to something less obvious, but it’s never going to be truly anonymous. Anyone who clicks on your profile from a review can see the name you've chosen and all the other public contributions you've made. Your feedback is always linked back to your digital identity on the platform.

> Your public feedback is powerful, but remember it's also permanent unless you take action. Periodically checking your review history is a great way to ensure it still accurately reflects your opinions and experiences.

How Long Does a Google Review Stay Up?

Basically, forever. A Google review is permanent unless you decide to delete it yourself, or in rare cases, if Google removes it for a policy violation. It will stay publicly visible on a business's profile for as long as that profile exists.

This is exactly why managing your reviews is so important. A scathing one-star review you left years ago might not be fair if that business has since turned things around. If you're a business owner on the receiving end of one, you can learn more from our comprehensive guide to responding to negative reviews.

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