Chris.wsQ: Let's talk about Review Gating
I’ve noticed in previous discussions you stated that review gating is 'completely illegal' and that you would 'most probably remove that option in the future.'
I am ready to invest in your top-tier plan, but I need a definitive answer on this. Will review gating remain a permanent feature, or is it officially on the chopping block? As an international traveler who helps small businesses in places with touristy destinations gain visibility on Google Maps, I find this feature essential for their growth.
Also, I’d like to clarify that while Google may discourage gating in their TOS, it isn't 'illegal' in a judicial sense. Removing this feature is a deal-breaker for me, so I’d appreciate a transparent update before I commit.
Samesh_W
Feb 6, 2026A: Hey Chris,
I’ll be completely transparent with you on this.
You’re correct that review gating is not “illegal” in a legal sense in most countries. However, it is explicitly against Google’s review policies. Google considers selectively asking only happy customers to leave public reviews a form of review manipulation, and businesses that are caught doing this risk having reviews removed, rankings suppressed, or, in serious cases, their profile restricted.
Because of this, we’ve built strong warnings and safeguards inside Spokk to discourage review gating. Review gating is available only on our "Classic" forms. We do not currently have plans to remove it, unless there is a clear legal requirement or regulatory action that affects software providers directly. We will not be expanding or enhancing gating features beyond basic maintenance and bug fixes.
It’s also important to understand how this works in practice. In most cases, unhappy customers already give private feedback via the Spokk feedback form to express their frustration. Only customers who have had a very negative experience usually take the extra step to post publicly (natural drop off). In those situations, they often find the Google profile and leave a review regardless of gating. So in reality, gating does not always provide the protection people expect, and it can increase risk if Google detects the pattern.
Our long-term direction is to help businesses grow sustainably and safely. We are evolving Spokk from a review tool into a full customer growth platform. We’ve already launched text and video testimonials, and we’re rolling out customer referrals and loyalty features in the coming weeks. These tools help businesses build visibility and trust without risking policy violations.
So to summarize:
- Review gating is not illegal, but it does violate Google’s policies.
- The feature will remain available in Classic forms for now.
- We won’t be expanding "Review gating" features beyond bug fixes.
- Our focus is on safer, long-term growth tools.
I hope that was a clear and transparent answer to your question. Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll be glad to answer them.