Update alert!: Google has recently changed its review policies for businesses which can greatly affect your Google My Business listing.
Under the new policy, Google can choose to remove all of your Google reviews from your Google My Business listing if you selectively choose positive reviews, as well as discourage negative reviews from your customers.
This update sounds scary, but we're here to help!
In this video, our Renown manager, Zac Herr, will explain the new Google update and teach you what you need to know to work with the change, rather than against it.
Watch our video or read on to learn more about Google's new review policy!
What's Changed With Google's Review Policy?
The main thing that has changed with Google's review policy is that you can no longer perform a sentiment check with your reviews.
This means that you cannot ask your customers about their experience with your business to purposely choose the positive reviews while excluding the negative reviews.
Doing so can raise a red flag to Google who can then penalize your business and remove your reviews from your Google My Business listing completely.
How Can Your Business Adapt to the Google Review Policy Change?
First things first: make sure a trusted person is monitoring your online reviews.
If you've been using automated technology to monitor your reviews, this can also get you in trouble with Google and get your Google reviews removed.
At RevLocal, we're currently reworking our review marketing platform, Renown, to adapt to the change by removing the sentiment check so that our clients still receive new reviews while making it easier for their customers to reach them directly instead of leaving a dissatisfied review.
Are you interested in learning more? Learn more about Renown and how it can help your business with the Google review policy change.
Online Reviews vs. Word of Mouth: Which One Is More Important?
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