Online reviews give potential clients useful information that can have a significant effect on their buying decisions. Through reviews, clients gauge the legitimacy of a business and what to expect when engaging with the team behind the product or service. For this reason, online reviews are essential for modern businesses.

Many businesses, however, have around 20% of their Google reviews not show up on their business profile. This can give the wrong impression and impact client retention. In order to remedy the situation and upgrade your online presence, it’s important to understand why this is happening and what to do next.

Why Your Reviews Aren’t Showing Up

There are several reasons why your reviews may not be showing up when a potential client searches for your business or comes across your profile while looking for a particular product or service.

Reviews Violate Content Rules

One of the primary reasons why reviews disappear is because they violate Google’s review content policy. Google has strict guidelines in place to make sure that its review system is honest and free from rude language, personal attacks, or spam.

Reviews Have Been Flagged

Some businesses may be given reviews that are later removed because other users have flagged them as spam. Google allows users to report reviews that they think violate content rules. If more than one person reports a review, it goes through a human review process and may be taken down.

Inconsistent Reviewer Behavior

Reviewers with little or inconsistent review activity may not be favored by Google’s algorithm when they post a review in order to reduce spam or unreliable information. If a person rarely engages with reviews or leaves reviews that are often flagged, their reviews are not likely to appear.

Suspicious Review Patterns

Google’s algorithm analyzes review patterns. A sudden surge of reviews, especially from new accounts, may raise the system’s suspicions. Businesses should naturally encourage customers to post evaluations without manipulating them.

The Algorithm May be Filtering Reviews

Google uses a complex algorithm to sift through possible fraudulent or spam reviews and remove them from consideration. This algorithm takes into account a variety of signals in order to evaluate the reliability and genuineness of a review. Though this is designed to enhance the user experience by highlighting genuine comments, it may occasionally flag honest reviews as suspicious. Consequently, some of your reviews won’t be shown.

How to Solve the Problem

Though it’s disappointing when you can’t see some of your reviews, knowing the reasons why this may be happening allows you to take the necessary steps forward. To boost your online presence and strengthen brand reliability, it’s important to be transparent and communicate clearly with your clients.

Encourage Real Feedback

Encourage your customers to leave real, honest reviews of their experience with your business. By asking your clients for reviews and highlighting the importance of following Google’s guidelines, you can ensure your business reviews meet the necessary requirements and reduce the chances of them being removed.

Respond to Reviews, Good or Bad

Be sure to respond to both good and bad reviews in a timely manner to show your commitment to customer satisfaction. This will help to establish your business as approachable and accountable.

If you get a bad review, take the chance to talk to the customer about their problems in a polite and caring way. This shows that you are serious about fixing problems and could turn an unhappy customer into a loyal one.

Monitor Review Activity

In order to stay on top of responding to clients and maintaining a positive online presence, check your reviews often. With close monitoring, you’ll be able to spot changes or new reviews right away and take action if anything is amiss.

Seek Support From a Digital Marketing Expert Today

For more help improving your Google reviews and boosting your business’s reputation, get in touch with Sutton Digital Marketing. We specialize in optimizing your online presence through Google reviews, website management, social media, and more.

To find out how we can assist, call us today at 619-689-9936 or send us a message here.

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