As a business owner, you know that online reputation management is an integral part of your overall marketing strategy. Google Reviews is one of the most trusted and widely used platforms for customers to leave feedback about your business and its services. Recently, Google announced an update to its reviews platform, which could have significant implications for your website and online presence. To help you understand more, we will explore what the Google Reviews update involves, investigate how it can impact your business and website, and advise you on what steps to take to ensure your reviews remain authentic.

The Double E.E.A.T Features On The New Google Update

Google’s latest update to its reviews platform comes with added AI capabilities, which can now detect high-quality reviews based on experience. The update also includes a new machine-learning algorithm that identifies and prioritises relevant reviews, ensuring they are displayed first to potential customers. It is suggested that the new update has favoured adding phrases such as “in my experience” or “my hands-on analysis” to reviews can cause them to rank higher as it provides insight into the experience the customers have had with the company.

The Damage Of Fake Google Reviews

It can be tempting to purchase fake reviews or incentivise customers to leave favourable feedback for your business, but this update aims to end such practices. The update emphasises the importance of authenticity, as businesses will need to rely on genuine reviews to attract customers. When it comes to product reviews, this algorithm is designed to raise the bar. With Google’s algorithm focusing so heavily on experience, any negative product reviews could be harder to bounce back from.

The Importance Of Google Reviews For Your Google My Business

For businesses who rely on their local SEO to drive traffic to their website, Google Reviews are a crucial element. Google My Business (GMB) is built around customer reviews, and the update will give priority to business listings with higher ratings. It is essential to have a comprehensive GMB listing that includes high-quality photos, accurate business hours, and relevant information to help prospective customers understand your services. The new update should encourage businesses to pay close attention to their GMB listing quality, ensuring they stand out from the competition.

Google Reviews And E-commerce Business

For e-commerce businesses, reviews play a vital role in driving traffic to your website and boosting conversions. The algorithm update prioritises the most relevant reviews for each search query, meaning that your product rating or review could be the deciding factor in which products are displayed first. It is essential to send follow-up emails to customers after they have purchased a product, urging them to leave a review, and responding to reviews, both positive and negative. It can also be helpful to include testimonials on your website to display your products and services’ positive feedback. As the number one SEO agency Essex and London has to offer, we are recommending the use of Google reviews to our clients to improve credibility and build their brands. We have had a huge amount of success when implementing this into SEO strategies and have helped to boost not only page views but purchases as well.

Reviews matter more now than ever before. The Google Reviews update will ensure that customers receive the most relevant and accurate reviews, which will promote a better customer experience. As a business owner, it’s essential to keep an eye on your reviews and respond to both positive and negative feedback. Authenticity is critical to creating an online presence that potential customers can trust. By providing excellent customer service and products, engaging with reviews, and maintaining an up-to-date GMB profile, you’ll be able to enhance your online reputation and improve your overall business performance.

Want to enhance your online credibility and are not sure where to start? Get in touch with the number one SEO agency London has to offer and get started improving your online marketing campaign.