Less Is More: The Case for a Google-First Review Strategy

You've likely heard the mantra "diversify your online presence" echoed across marketing blogs and business forums. 

But, hear me out, what if trying to keep up with multiple review platforms is diluting your efforts? 

What if, by trying to do the right thing, you’re wasting valuable time that could be invested elsewhere?

Google holds six times as many reviews as its three nearest competitors combined. Clearly and undeniably, it’s the go-to platform for customers seeking information about businesses, products, and services.

In this post, we'll explore why adopting a Google-first review strategy isn't just a smart move, it's essential for your business's online success. We'll delve into why Google reviews matter more than ever, how they impact your local SEO, and why concentrating your efforts on Google alone yields better results than spreading your efforts too thin.

Why Google?

There are countless online review sites nowadays, so why Google? 
The short answer: Google is King. 

Google is the preferred search engine for 81% of search engine users. (Statista) 

And in a world where 89% of consumers look at online reviews before making a purchase (Wisernotify), it’s reasonable to make Google not only a priority, but the sole focus for businesses with limited resources to devote to review response management. 

Pouring your focus into Google reviews on Google itself will undoubtedly serve to pump up your business's local SEO and give you an edge over your competition in overall visibility.

Google Ratings Skew Positively

Aside from popularity, visibility, and accessibility, Google reviews trend more positively than reviews on other sites. 

This is likely due to Google’s lax moderation policies and the practice of allowing ratings without accompanying text. 

The same 4.5-star business on Google is almost always rated lower on counterparts like Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc. While these platforms have their niches, none match Google's reach and impact. It seems like a no-brainer to feed the site that makes you look better than all the others.

How Does Google Impact SEO?

Google's algorithm considers various factors when determining the ranking of local businesses in search results, and reviews are a crucial component. Specifically, Google looks at the quantity, quality, and recency of reviews.

Businesses with a higher number of positive reviews rank higher in local search results. This is because reviews contribute to the "prominence" factor in Google's local ranking algorithm, which assesses how well-known and reputable a business is.

The bottom line: positive Google reviews build trust and credibility with potential customers. When users see a high volume of favorable reviews, they are more likely to perceive your business as reliable and worth their time and money. 

This trust factor also extends to search engines. Google aims to present the most trustworthy and relevant businesses to its users: its success and dominance in the market are a testament to its efforts to do just that.

Concentrate Your Efforts on Google

Most businesses unpartnered with a reputation management firm don’t have the time and personnel to monitor and manage incoming reviews across dozens of review platforms. 
But that’s okay.

Google is the most influential and trafficked review platform, 73% of the internet’s reviews are housed on Google. By focusing on this singular behemoth of a review platform, you’re covering a majority of your bases with just a fraction of the time and effort. 

Key takeaways

• Visibility: Google is the go-to platform for consumers seeking information about businesses. Reviews on Google are more likely to be seen and have a greater impact on potential customers' decisions.
• SEO Benefits: Google reviews directly influence your local search rankings. A higher number of positive Google reviews can significantly boost your visibility in local search results and Google Maps listings.
• The Google Ecosystem: Google reviews are seamlessly integrated into Google Search, Maps, and other Google services. This integration provides multiple touchpoints for potential customers to encounter your reviews, increasing the likelihood of engagement and conversion.
• Efficiency: Instead of spreading your resources thin across multiple platforms, you can concentrate on optimizing your Google Business Profile, responding to reviews promptly, and leveraging Google's tools to improve your online presence.
• Broader Reach: While platforms like Yelp or TripAdvisor may cater to specific niches or demographics, Google reviews cater to a wide range of online search users. This broader appeal ensures that your reviews reach a more diverse audience, potentially attracting customers from various demographics.

Google should be the beginning and the end of the SEO and reputation management discussion for businesses working to maximize their reach and visibility efficiently and economically. 

By focusing your review management efforts on Google, you're simplifying your strategy while maximizing your impact. Google's unparalleled reach, direct influence on local SEO, and integration with the world's most popular search engine make it the ideal platform for building and maintaining your online reputation.