Google reviews affect your search ranking when users search for keywords related to your website. This is particularly important for local services and products. By using reviews effectively and consistently receiving them, you can improve your ranking.
In this article, we’ll explore how reviews impact rankings and why you should use them to improve your SEO and reputation.
How Google reviews boost local SEO
Moz emphasizes that online reviews are crucial for businesses to rank well online. Reviews not only boost website ranking but also build trust with potential customers and influence their purchasing decisions.
In addition to reviews, Google takes into account various factors when ranking businesses in local searches. Proximity, relevance, engagement, and prominence are among the key factors.
These factors aim to help users find the right business swiftly within the algorithm. While you can’t alter your proximity to users, your business can improve its ranking by focusing on relevance, engagement, and prominence through its online presence.
The role Google review play in local search
Google reviews play a crucial role in local search results. The Google algorithm is designed to understand the users journey. Despite the changes over the years, businesses can stay ahead by considering the entire search journey of their customers. Online reviews not only help businesses rank higher but are also integral to the customer experience. Here’s how they contribute:
Improve Customer Awareness Online searchers not only look for businesses with higher ratings but also consider the number of reviews. Positive reviews directly impact how attractive your business appears to consumers.
Help Push Buying Decisions Every review influences a consumer’s decision to buy a product or service. Nearly 9 out of 10 consumers are influenced by online reviews when making purchasing decisions.
Increase Chances for Further Business Reviews have a domino effect. A review from one customer can influence others to purchase your product or service, leading to more reviews. This cycle not only boosts your business ranking but also provides opportunities to improve based on customer feedback.
Make sure you consider the following
Reviews have multiple nuances that can impact search engine rankings, including:
- Recency – Are a business’s reviews recent or outdated? Recent reviews carry more weight in search engine rankings.
- Velocity – How frequently is a business receiving new reviews? A steady stream of new reviews indicate ongoing customer engagement and satisfaction.
- Diversity – Do reviews of the business exist on multiple platforms? Having reviews on various platforms can signal credibility and trustworthiness to search engines.
- Authority – Could a review from a professional reviewer or a member of a program like Google’s Local Guides carry more weight than a review from a regular member of the public? Reviews from authoritative sources have greater influence on search rankings.
- Format – Do text-based reviews have more impact than textless star ratings? Detailed text-based reviews may provide more information to both search engines and potential customers, potentially affecting rankings.
Three tips to increase your rankings through reviews
Because Google Reviews heavily influence your business’s position in local search results, it’s crucial to adopt some key practices to enhance your Google listing. Here are three tips on using reviews to boost your local SEO and improve your ranking.
Tip #1 – Use effective review invitations
There are two primary ways to send review invitations digitally: email and text. Find our what works best for your customers. Our recommendation is both.
Tip #2 – Remove obstacles
One major obstacle for customers leaving online reviews is a difficult process. By making the process simple, you increase the likelihood of receiving reviews. Research shows that most consumers will leave a review if asked. Businesses that send invitations and simplify the review process are likely to see positive results.
Tip #3 – Use a review management tool
To boost your ranking through online reviews, use an online review management service that streamlines the process. Birdeye is the #1 reputation management platform for local businesses. The platform collects genuine customer reviews, enhancing customer engagement, increasing online visibility, and positively influencing purchasing decisions. This is why we bundle Birdeye in our SEO packages to provide great value to our customers.
