Españaula Blog: Your Guide to Schools & Education in Málaga & the Costa del Sol

If you’re researching schools on the Costa del Sol and wondering why so many have zero Google reviews (or suddenly lost all of them)… you’re not imagining it.

On or around April 30, 2024, many schools in Spain saw all their Google reviews deleted or hidden, and many listings are now blocked from receiving new reviews. This change hasn’t affected every school, but it’s widespread enough to have been very noticeable among families looking at schools.

Why Is Google Deleting School Reviews in Spain?

Google hasn’t issued an official explanation, but there are several likely reasons behind the sudden removal:

1. Privacy and child protection concerns

School reviews often mention specific teachers, students, or sensitive situations. This could violate Google’s content policies and Spain’s strict privacy laws (like the GDPR).

2. Abuse prevention

Schools are sometimes targeted by coordinated campaigns — either overly positive or negative — especially around admissions periods. Google may be clearing out reviews to prevent manipulation.

3. Takedown requests from schools or authorities

In Spain, private and concertado schools in particular are proactive about online reputation management. Some schools may have flagged their listings, triggering moderation or review removal by Google.

Is This Only Happening in Spain?

At this time, the mass removal of school reviews appears to be concentrated in Spain, though similar trends have been noted in other European countries like France and Germany. These countries have similarly strict privacy laws and growing concern about online content related to minors and public institutions.

Schools in the U.S., U.K., and many other countries still show and accept reviews on Google as usual.

Update as of May 15, 2025: Many schools in the US have review capability suspended though existing reviews are still published.

💡 What to Do Instead

With Google reviews no longer reliable, here are other ways to research schools in Spain:

✅ 1. Use MiCole.net

MiCole is Spain’s largest school directory, covering public, concertado, and private schools and they still have reviews published on their site with the intention of growing a review platform as a resource for parents.

✅ 2. Join Facebook groups

Spaces like our Facebook group are more valuable than ever. If you’ve toured a school or recently enrolled your child, even a short comment can help another parent navigate the decision.

Helpful things to share:

• Teacher and staff turnover
• How well your child adapted
• Class size and school culture
• Communication style
• Support for non-Spanish speakers

✅ 3. Talk directly to other parents

On school visits, ask to speak with current families — or just start a conversation at the local playground where you notice kids from a school you are interested in often play. One honest conversation often gives more insight than any polished school website or brochure.

Community and Word of Mouth Are Key

As Google reviews become less available, real parent-to-parent insight is the most powerful tool we have. Whether you’re applying for public, concertado, or private international schools, knowing what to ask — and who to ask — makes all the difference.

If you’re in the research phase and feeling stuck, check out our school guides or reach out for help through our Costa del Sol enrollment packages.

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Related post:
📚 How to Choose an International School in Málaga