by Shaun Sadlier
•
30 May, 2023
Hello there fellow business owners, today let's talk about a question every business owner would love to know: do Google reviews actually help your SEO? After all, we all want to rank on the first page of Google's search results, right? But does the number of Google reviews we have actually affect our ranking? In this blog post, we will explore the relationship between Google reviews and SEO, and debunk some myths surrounding the topic. So sit back, relax, and let's dive into this! First things first, let's get the technicalities right - Google reviews are NOT a direct ranking factor for SEO. This means that Google doesn't look at the number of Google reviews you have when deciding to place your website higher or lower in its search engine. However, that doesn't mean you should disregard the importance of Google reviews altogether. When a customer searches for a business or industry niche, Google's algorithm considers multiple factors to decide who to put on the top of the results: the relevance of the information, the location of the business, and the overall quality and authority of the website. So, how do Google reviews play into this? Well, even though they aren't a direct ranking factor, they do indirectly affect the search engine optimization of a business's website. When customers leave Google reviews, they are sharing their experience with potential new customers. Positive reviews act as social proof and encourage them to choose your business for their needs. When people continue to choose your business, engage with it, leave additional reviews, and even link to your content, it generates more user-generated content. All of these factors result in an overall increase in your website's authority and relevance. This, in turn, leads to Google ranking your website higher in search results. Another way that Google reviews can actually help with SEO is through long-tail keyword optimization. When customers leave reviews, they often include keywords relevant to your business, service, or products. Let's say you're running a bakery, and customers are raving about your cinnamon rolls. You may have never thought to use "cinnamon rolls" as a targeted keyword, but now that your customers are using it in their reviews, it can show up in your metadata and site content. One important thing to note is that it's not just about the number of Google reviews you get - it's about their quality. If you have 1000 fake or generic reviews that repeat the same content, Google's algorithm will recognize it and most likely penalize you. This can harm your website's authority, trustworthiness, and relevance. Remember, quality over quantity, always! Finally, let's talk about engagement. When customers leave reviews on your Google My Business page, responding to them can help your business in multiple ways. For one, It shows that you're engaged with your customers and are always working to improve their experience and satisfaction. Additionally, it provides you with feedback that you can use to improve your products or services and increase repeat business. Finally, responsive and authentic responses to reviews show potential customers that you're an active and responsive business, which can help to build your reputation as an industry leader. So, do Google reviews help your SEO? The answer is yes, but not only directly. Google reviews can have an indirect and positive impact on your website's ranking, authority, relevance, and long-tail keyword optimization. However, it's important to remember that it's not just about the number of reviews you get- it's about the quality, authenticity, and engagement that they bring. All things considered, your business should always strive to have authentic and quality reviews while engaging with customers to show that you offer a quality service or product. With that in mind, let your reviews do the talking, keep providing exceptional service, and watch your website ranking grow!