Unveiling the Power of Google Reviews for Boosting your SEO Strategy
SEO can feel overwhelming. But when you chip at it a little bit here and a little bit there, it doesn’t have to be that way. The tip today is to get Google Reviews and give them.
Did you know that receiving Google Reviews is a great way to increase your business’s local search rank? You should be trying to get Google Reviews for SEO. There are a lot of platforms that you can get reviews on, but Google Reviews have a lot of power to affect your local SEO search results due to the fact that most people search on Google. We all know the power of going straight to the source.
We have worked with a ton of small businesses, and we consistently see local small businesses with either no Google Business Profile or one that is claimed but neglected. Google Reviews give you social proof, and they also increase your chances of showing up in the Local Pack results in Google Search.
Take this as your sign — your Google Business Profile should be set up, and you should be trying to get great reviews.
Side Note:
If you don’t have a small business (maybe you haven’t launched yet or you just like our blog 😁), this read is still for you. Google Reviews are important, and you have a role to play. You can support the small businesses you love by leaving reviews. Did you know that Google has a program called Local Guides, and you start earning points that count towards levels and benefits? Here is some more info on the tiers and how to increase your points. Also, the higher level you are, the more powerful your review is. It will have staying power and may get better visibility. I’m level 5, try and catch me. I love small businesses, and one easy way I can help the ones I love is by leaving them a review.
Importance of Google Reviews for SEO
Reviews give you authority. Reviews give you social proof. Social proof is a powerful influence factor (see our influence blog here). Social proof tells us that people like us do things like this. People like us have used this company, this service, this product, and the review is the proof. It makes it easier to trust a company with a lot of reviews (especially a lot of great reviews).
Reviews also increase your online visibility. For all you small businesses, the Local Pack results in Google search results are really what we are targeting here with reviews on your Google profile. The Local Pack shows up in prime real estate on the search results page. The first 3-5 results are the “sponsored” or paid Google Ads that pertain to the search query, and then right after that even before any organic search results, the Local Pack shows up. Pretty cool.
Here is an example of our Local Pack results in a Google search if you are in Oceanside, CA, and you search “consultant near me”:
Hoffbeck + Co shows up number 1 in the Local Pack! We currently have 31 reviews (and would love more 😍 – Leave one HERE!) Although we would love to have 100+ reviews, our 31 reviews are working hard for us. Reviews impact rank of the Local Pack in results.
Semrush (one of our favorite SEO softwares out there) states that 91% of people read reviews, and 84% trust them as much as a friend’s personal recommendation. From authority, to social proof, to SEO, the importance of Google Reviews for SEO and is evident.
Quick Tip:
How many reviews should you target? Don’t try to run a marathon right out the gate. Small goals and quick wins build momentum. Get 10 reviews in the next week. Starting now! Then try to get 25 in a month or so (depending on how established your business is will dictate some of how long this takes). If you are a restaurant and serve many people every day, then it’s a lot easier to get these reviews up. If you have only worked with a handful of clients, then this will take longer. It’s all good, your competition in your industry is playing with the same constraints. Our current target is to get to 50 reviews for Hoffbeck + Co. A lot of SEO experts say to target 50 reviews, and then from there, they start to grow organically. A lot attracts a lot. A little attracts little. After 50, we will target 100. Let’s go!
Factors that influence the impact of Google Reviews on SEO
A handful of factors can come into play for the power of those Google Reviews.
Here are a few:
Number of reviews
Rating of the reviews
The authority of the reviewer
Responding to reviews
Photos used in reviews
Here is a statement directly from Google about how these factors come together: “Local results are based primarily on relevance, distance, and prominence. For example, our algorithms might decide that a business that’s farther away from your location is more likely to have what you’re looking for than a business that’s closer, and therefore rank it higher in local results.” They go on to define “prominence” and state that it is how well known a business is – “Google review count and review score factor into local search ranking. More reviews and positive ratings can improve your business’s local ranking. Your position in web results is also a factor, so search engine optimization (SEO) best practices apply.” There it is, straight from the horse’s mouth.
What does the data say? A study by Semrush found that the average number of reviews for a listing had a significantly stronger impact on its performance, compared to average ranking. They found that the top position in Local Pack results, as well as Google Maps search, had more reviews (median) than those in positions two and three – “Based on the median number of reviews, we can infer that the number of reviews does in fact have an impact on your Local Pack performance, especially if your average rating is above 4.1.” The median number of reviews on Local Pack results was 29 reviews for the first-place result. (Get to 30!). This is likely why our 31 reviews for Hoffbeck + Co are so powerful right now.
How to generate positive Google Reviews for your business
The best way to generate positive reviews is to provide an amazing experience to your customers and clients. Wow them, and then when you ask them for a review, they will reciprocate by leaving a great review.
The Semrush study found something fascinating. Only 2% of the analyzed reviews had a negative tone of voice. So don’t be afraid to ask for those reviews if you know you provide a great service or product. 98% of people will likely describe a positive or acceptable experience with your local business. It's what the data says. Lean into it, and don’t be afraid of those bad reviews.
Fun Fact:
Semrush found that the most commonly used adjective in reviews is “Great”. It shows up in around 10% of all reviews!
Positive reviews are out there for you, now go get them.
1. Wow your customers leaving them with a positive experience
2. Ask them for a review and make it easy for them to leave one
Provide them with the direct link - like this for Hoffbeck + Co
Give them starter questions or prompts which can make it easier for them to come up with their review
Subtly encourage them to use keywords you want to target
3. Respond to reviews
Responding to Google Reviews and managing your online reputation
It’s amazing to get reviews coming in, but don’t forget to respond to them. Thank the reviewer for taking the time to share. Responding to reviews shows prospective customers that you take feedback to heart and that you want to keep getting better. It also signals to Google that you are actively managing your reviews, which is always a good thing and could increase your online visibility.
What about those bad reviews?
Don’t fire back! Use conflict resolution best practices to lower the temperature. A leading expert in the dispute resolution field is Bill Eddy. He has some great resources on practical ways to reduce conflict in written form:
BIFF - BIFF stands for Brief, Informative, Friendly, and Firm.
EAR - EAR stands for Empathy, Attention, and Respect.
Both books are worth picking up. Keep the response brief. Add relevant information to the discussion that helps clarify and set the record straight. Be friendly – actually think happy thoughts while writing, and it will keep the tone positive – and be firm by bringing a finality to the situation (what you are going to do about it if needed, etc.).
Conclusion: Harnessing the power of Google Reviews for SEO success
Reviews matter. They have power to give you authority, social proof, and online visibility. Even if you don’t do any active SEO tasks right now, start here with this practical step that every business owner can do. Wow your customers and ask for the review.
Here is our ask – if we have worked with you or provided you any value from our blog, take 60 seconds and leave us a review here. If you need some help coming up with what to write, here are a few starter questions to help:
Why did you reach out to us? Or why do you read our blog?
Were we able to provide the service you requested? To quality and on time?
Would you recommend us to your friends and family?
I’ll end with this excerpt from Alex Hormozi’s book, $100M Offers:
“Would you help someone you’ve never met if it didn’t cost you money, but you never got credit for it? If so, I have an ‘ask’ to make on behalf of someone you do not know. And likely, never will. They are just like you, or like you were a few years ago: less experienced, full of desire to help the world, seeking information but unsure where to look…this is where you come in.
Your review will help…
… one more entrepreneur support his or her family
… one more employee find work they find meaningful
… one more client experience a transformation they otherwise would never have encountered
… one more life change for the better.
To make that happen…all you have to do is…and this takes less than 60 seconds…leave a review.”
Guess what I did after I listened to Hormozi read this passage from his book on Audible? I left him a review on Audible!
Alright friends, go WOW your customers, ask for reviews, and give reviews. Spread generosity and kindness. Get out there – small businesses need your reviews!
More soon,
Lane
CONSULTANT + PARTNER
P.S.
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