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To Google Or Not To Google That Is The Question

by k60mall
14 replies
HI Guys

Google has recently changed the way the maps listings are displayed and at the same time it seems they removed hundreds of thousands of reviews. So my question is should you solely place all your marketing efforts of posting reviews to Google?

This is what I think....

Those people who are trying to get their maps listings ranked purely by posting reviews to Google are crazy. I don't want to offend anyone and please don't take it that way but Google is a law onto it own and as it's there software they can do what they like.

Those of you who know me know that I provide a review posting service and time after time we get support tickets asking why their maps listings are not ranking and time after time I see people posting the majority of reviews to Google.

This is pure madness when you look at Google track record in changing their algorithm just when you thought you had it all figured out only to find you have to start all over again.

The reason't changes on the maps listing saw the reviews from third part sites removed with just a link back to the original review, to me this has not made any difference to the rankings of my clients rankings, in fact some have improved.

I have been doing some testing with test accounts and have found that posting reviews to maps listings doesn't have any effect at all. I posted well written reviews to third party sites like Yelp and City search and worked on the SEO aspect of my clients sites with good results. These days the ONLY reason I would post a review to Google maps is to get the big yellow stars to show up, you only need five for this and at that point I stop.

This is my 2 cents worth what are your ideas or opinions?

Keith
#google #question
  • Profile picture of the author RRG
    Yeah, you know what Dan Kennedy says about the danger of "one" in business . . . (if you don't, you could always Google it!)
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  • Profile picture of the author Mary Wilhite
    So my question is should you solely place all your marketing efforts of posting reviews to Google?
    You must also diversify. Depending on one traffic source alone puts you at risk.

    Though admittedly, Google is the biggest, still there are other traffic source out there you can tap as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    Reviews to me only help provide some semblance of social proof for real potential buyers and I do not view them as a route for ranking.

    Reviews are rampant with fake entries from those who sell review services and those are mostly Google reviews as well. So in reality most users can't trust reviews anyways but I think most people can pick out the most blatant fake ones.

    As a matter of fact, my tests have shown that rankings can be achieved with ZERO reviews Google or on any other sites, and zero off site SEO to speak of and I have the proof to back that up from as far a back as last year.

    So in the end I personally feel reviews should only be used for social proof and should always come from a real customer, and forget about using them for ranking they aren't needed.
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  • Profile picture of the author k60mall
    Rusl you have mentioned your ranking methods in a number of posts so the question is are you going to spill the beans or is this going to be another WSO?

    Keith
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    [FACEBOOK AUTORESPONDER] UNLIMITED LISTS/SUBSCRIBERS + 99.9% OPEN RATE = IM WET DREAM!

    Local Business Listing Robot Posts Reviews 24/7 While You Sleep - Now Open
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    • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
      Hey Keith,

      Yes it will soon be available as a WSO, I had to drop a post in here for obvious reasons. LOL At least its relevant tho!

      Originally Posted by k60mall View Post

      Rusl you have mentioned your ranking methods in a number of posts so the question is are you going to spill the beans or is this going to be another WSO?

      Keith
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      • Profile picture of the author gordonr
        Hi Keith,

        Just a quick question.
        For some reason I was under the impression that LBL Robot posted
        to Yelp, but I did not see that site listed on the "Sales Page".

        If it is correct that Yelp is not currently available, if and when do you
        anticipate adding it to the list of sites for posting?

        Thank you very much in advance.
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  • Profile picture of the author kmids
    How can you NOT google?... Sometimes it sucks, but it's huge for a reason.
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    Lucy Castle
    Lucy@GettingOnlineIncome.com
    www.GettingOnlineIncome.com

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    • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
      Couple other important thoughts...

      Google OFTEN loses it's own reviews. So another reason not to put all your eggs in the G basket.

      In the training program I give clients about how to build up reviews, I have them build up enough G reviews so they stand out against their competition. If competitors on page 1 have 8 or so, I'll have them get 10. THEN I have them diversify between 3 review sources.

      BUT DON'T BUILD ON YELP! G stopped showing Yelp reviews completely about 3 weeks ago. They don't even show as 3rd party reviews. Google numerous times has dropped Y reviews. Insider pages and City search are my preferred right now, but it depends somewhat on the market.
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      Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
      ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
      Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    Linda,

    I'd like to additionally point out that we should research what 3rd party sites are ranking for our clients niche.

    Point in fact, your yelp profile is on the first page of Google when searching for Catalyst eMarketing. :p

    The point is that while Google may not be displaying reviews or web references from other sites, those sites might still be getting first page traction on Google so they shouldn't be set aside.

    I have a listing that has 2 organic results from Yelp which also includes my A spot places listing, videos and images. So my "site/listing" has more then half the first page results.
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    • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
      Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

      Linda,

      I'd like to additionally point out that we should research what 3rd party sites are ranking for our clients niche.

      Point in fact, your yelp profile is on the first page of Google when searching for Catalyst eMarketing. :p

      The point is that while Google may not be displaying reviews or web references from other sites, those sites might still be getting first page traction on Google so they shouldn't be set aside.
      Hi Russ, yes that's an unclaimed listing with no reviews, so it's great that it ranks anyway.

      No I wasn't saying Yelp should be set aside as as a citation source. I was responding to the point about reviews, not citations. Was just saying I would not advise putting your review energy there. Depending on the industry, there are so many other good places to build up reviews.
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      Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
      ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
      Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

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  • Profile picture of the author chiphotography
    I think anytime you are trying to fool Google your taking a chance of doing more harm than not. I know that reviews for certain types of business is their life blood to get new customer. Not necessarily in google maps, but local listings.
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  • Profile picture of the author k60mall
    HI gordonr we do support yelp, it was removed by mistake.

    Third part reviews are very important not just for maps listings but also for multiple rankings on page one.

    See my listing Quick smog station that has multiple listings on page 1 & 2

    Google
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    [FACEBOOK AUTORESPONDER] UNLIMITED LISTS/SUBSCRIBERS + 99.9% OPEN RATE = IM WET DREAM!

    Local Business Listing Robot Posts Reviews 24/7 While You Sleep - Now Open
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    • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
      Ken,

      I like yelp because the categorical groups rank and individual business profiles can rank at the same time and on the same page as well.

      If your set up right you'll come out on top of the listings inside yelp for your category, hence a double yelp result.



      Originally Posted by k60mall View Post

      HI gordonr we do support yelp, it was removed by mistake.

      Third part reviews are very important not just for maps listings but also for multiple rankings on page one.

      See my listing Quick smog station that has multiple listings on page 1 & 2

      Google
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      • Profile picture of the author gordonr
        Re: To Google Or Not To Google That Is The Question
        HI gordonr we do support yelp, it was removed by mistake.

        Third part reviews are very important not just for maps listings but also for multiple rankings on page one.

        See my listing Quick smog station that has multiple listings on page 1 & 2

        Google

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        OK Keith,

        Thanks a lot for the clarification.
        It is much appreciated.
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