For Schools that Value Trust & Transparency with Parents
If you’ve ever faced an unfair one-star Google review or seen prank comments on your school’s Google Business profile, here’s some important news:
Starting April 30, 2025, Google is removing all reviews and star ratings from Business Profiles for schools.
Yes — all of them.
This marks a significant shift in how schools manage their online reputation. Over the past few years, Google had already restricted reviews for school profiles. Now, they’re taking it a step further and removing the entire reviews section. Their reasoning? An increasing number of fake and unhelpful reviews have made the feature more harmful than helpful — especially for schools.
If your school had built up a solid Google review profile — maybe even a glowing 4.9-star rating — this might feel frustrating. Especially for those school leaders and admission teams who made the effort to collect genuine feedback from parents and well-wishers over the years.
But that effort wasn’t in vain — and you can still preserve those valuable voices.
Let’s break down what this change means for Indian schools and what you can do next.
Why This Change Matters
Whether your school had dozens of great reviews or none at all, this update creates a level playing field. But here’s the catch: reviews still matter — a lot.
In India, parents are doing more online research than ever before when choosing schools. If they can’t see reviews on Google, they’ll turn to other platforms. That’s why schools must now diversify their online presence and ensure their reputation remains visible and credible.
6 Places Indian Parents Will Still Look for Reviews
Even though Google is stepping back, these platforms and strategies are still powerful:
- Facebook – Still a go-to for parents asking other families for school recommendations in local groups and communities.
- Justdial & Sulekha – Parents often use these to discover local services, including schools.
- SchoolMyKids / Edustoke / UniApply – Edtech platforms where parents compare schools and read reviews.
- WhatsApp Groups – Word-of-mouth is stronger than ever. Reviews and feedback are frequently shared in parent circles.
- Your Own Website – A dedicated testimonials or parent stories section can become a trusted source for prospective families.
- LinkedIn & Instagram Stories – Increasingly, parents also scan a school’s social media for feedback and posts from other parents or alumni.
What Should Indian Schools Do Right Now?
This isn’t a time to panic — it’s a moment to be proactive and take control of your narrative.
Here’s where to begin:
- ✅ Save your existing Google reviews. Download screenshots or copy text before April 30. Repurpose these on your school website, prospectus, admissions brochures, or even video testimonials.
- ✅ Audit your online presence across platforms like Facebook, Justdial, Edustoke, and UniApply. Is your profile complete and accurate?
- ✅ Encourage parents to review you elsewhere. Create a simple message or QR code to make it easy for parents to leave feedback on platforms still active.
- ✅ Respond to reviews with care. A warm, professional reply — even to criticism — shows you’re listening.
- ✅ Incorporate testimonials into your admissions flow. Whether it’s printed material, WhatsApp follow-ups, or website banners — don’t miss the chance to show your parent community’s voice.
Your Digital Reputation Is More Than Just Google
As an Indian school, building trust with today’s digitally savvy parents means being visible where they are — not just where you’ve always been.
If you’re not sure where to start or need help creating a review strategy that supports healthy admissions, our team at JP Gravitus is here to support you.
Let’s turn your parent voices into a powerful admissions asset — even without Google.
📞 Reach out for a free consultation on your school’s online reputation strategy.