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Issue #: [Date] Dolor Sit Amet

We have noticed as of late there have been lots of questions relating to online reviews gathered in the office, directly post treatment, with many disappearing within a few days, or simply not appearing at all on the relevant GMB (Google My Business) page.

With this in mind we have addressed the subject to clarify any misconceptions and avoid any possible review site penalties. With a growing trend in mediums being used such as iPads and smartphones in offices, there has been a direct correlation in the number of reviews being filtered out by Google and other review sites alike. This hasn’t happened by coincidence!

Review sites, especially Google My Business and Yelp from our experiences, really are taking no prisoners when it comes to filtering out reviews. It could be conceived as being slightly draconian in nature, but they are willing to lay the law down in order to keep their sites ‘spam’ free. We understand that 90% of the time there was no genuine intention to commit any foul play, it was simply not being aware of their often grey guidelines; however we are faced with having to play to their rules if we are to succeed online, there is no other way.  

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Issue #: [Date] Dolor Sit Amet

Fresh Google Accounts Reviews from newly formed Gmail accounts (a pre requisite for leaving a review on Google My Business) can be discarded by Google making the whole process rather fruitless. Consider directing customers to alternative review sites (Yelp, City Search and Judy’s Book etc.) they may currently use if they don’t currently have a Gmail account. Seasoned review accounts like a fine wine are held in a higher regard.

This will create a healthy mix of reviews from numerous sources. (Please note that reviews from third party review sites do help in boosting your Google My Business ranking). We would recommend you have a nice 50/50 split between Google reviews and third party review site reviews.

Note- As of late they have relaxed the new Gmail account situation, but we still strongly advise a good mix.

Although it’s still uncertain to what degree Google can track the MAC serial number (the unique iPad serial number), we would strongly advise against this, as its very uncertain territory and there probably is not a short cut that you have considered that Google haven’t.

Why can’t you use the office ipads? Whilst it’s not prohibited in any formal guidelines, the likelihood of the review sticking is quite low. The reason being that your iPad is generally connected to your office Wi-Fi that has a unique IP (Internet Provider) address. Constant reviews from the same IP will instantly flag up the Google spam filters and no doubt filter the review.

I don’t do any of the above why am I still losing reviews?

What about using 3G or 4G on the office iPads to bypass the Wi-Fi problem?

How about using a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Not a good idea, the truth of the matter is there is no sustainable way of gaming Google. It would look unnatural to have reviews with no local IP address by using a virtual private network (VPN)

In essence we need to keep reviews looking as natural as possible: An independent IP and an independent mobile device/ MAC serial number. No short cuts I’m afraid!

Issue #: [Date] Dolor Sit Amet

Best Practices for Reviews •  Let  them  be  natural!  We  come  across  many  sites  that  never  dip  below  5  star  reviews,  whilst  we  have  no  doubt  you  probably  carry  out  a  sterling  job,  it’s  doesn’t  seem  credible  to  a  customer  or  Google  that  you  never  dip  below  excellent.  What  we’re  trying  to  say  is  let  customers  be  completely  honest  in  what  they  write;  every  review  doesn’t  have  to  be  completely  amazing  for  your  business  to  still  feature  well.              •  Reply  to  your  reviews!  It’s  often  overlooked  once  the  review  is  posted,  and  it  certainly  won’t  do  your  business  any  harm,  especially  if  you  have  any  bad  reviews,  but  don’t  forget  those  positive  ones  too.        

•  Don’t  cut  and  paste  reviews!  Taking  a  review  from  Google  My  Business  and  pasting  it  onto  your  website  or  other  third  party  review  sites  can  land  you  in  hot  water.  Your  original  Google  review  will  almost  certainly  disappear.  Consider  using  a  screen  shot  as  an  alternative  (use  ‘Jing’  to  do  this).  

•  Don’t  panic!    Even  if  you  have  not  infringed  with  any  of  Google’s  guidelines,  you  will  see  reviews  occasionally  disappear  for  no  apparent  reason.  Be  patient  as  from  experience  they  often  pop  back  up  a  few  weeks  later.          

•  Don’t  keyword  stuff  or  write  essays!      Reviews  with  forced  keywords  or  that  are  purposely  really  long  will  do  you  know  favors.    We  find  that  a  nice  honest  paragraph  will  suffice.        

•  Never  post  on  behalf  of  your  clients!  Clients  must  always  post  the  review  themselves  gone  are  the  days  of  perfumed  letters.          

•  Don’t  offer  incentives!      Although  Google  have  by  setting  up  kiosks  in  a  shopping  entre  in  return  for  various  Google  goodies,  it’s  very  much  a  case  of  do  as  we  say,  not  as  they  do.  Any  form  of  compensation  for  a  review  is  currently  strictly  prohibited.  Asking  for  a  review  is  fine;  just  don’t  bribe  your  customers  into  doing  so.      

•  No  direct  link  if  possible.  We  know  this  is  no  easy  feat,  but  if  possible  try  not  to  give  a  direct  link  to  your  Google+  page.  The  reason  being  is  that  Google  can  ascertain  the  previous  website  your  users  were  viewing  before  they  reached  your  Google  My  Business  page.  It  can  be  seen  as  forced  if  they  visit  your  Google  My  Business  page  directly.      

 A  little  trick  ;)  A  business  can  review  other  

businesses,  so  use  it  to  your  advantage!  Give  and  get  reviews  from  colleagues,  associations  and  suppliers.