We know, what you’re thinking, google’s product reviews update – what is that? Let’s understand it together!
On February 21st, Google unveiled its sixth product reviews update, which set the gears in motion for a 14-day rollout, culminating on March 7th. This update is all about refining the way Google ranks and showcases product quality reviews on search engine results pages (SERPs), ultimately giving users access to more helpful and reliable reviews.
As the latest updates continue to disrupt the world of search engine optimization, marketers like you and us must strive to stay ahead of the curve.
In this blog, we aim to guide you through all the nitty bitties, so you can choose what is best for your brand. Let’s start, shall we?
A common question we have received in our years of service is, What are Google algorithm updates?
That is why before we talk about the update, step one is to learn a little about Google algorithm updates and why they occur. As everything on the internet, search engines also evolve rapidly to deliver better user experiences or accommodate industry trends.
By definition google algorithm updates mean: “Google’s search engine algorithms determine the results you see for each search term, or query. They work behind the scenes to filter through web content, review indexed pages for relevance and quality (e.g. the search factors), and return results that are most relevant to the query.”
In simpler terms, Google wants to ensure that the websites it displays in search results are reliable and trustworthy sources of information. They want content creators to be knowledgeable experts in their field, have authority in their industry, and provide accurate and trustworthy information to users.
As the list of Google algorithm updates continues to grow, brands must keep a close eye on these changes and be prepared to fine-tune their strategies accordingly.
Among the various Google algorithm updates, one notable update that significantly impacts a company’s SEO strategy is the product reviews update. This update places great importance on the authenticity and usefulness of product reviews. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the intricacies of the product reviews update and its connection to the topics of SEO and online reputation management.
Google introduced its product reviews update in April 2021, with the specific goal of enhancing product reviews in search results. The main objective of this update is to prioritize valuable and informative product review content, ensuring that it is prominently displayed to users.
The motivation behind this update is to deliver accurate and high-quality content to users who rely on Google for product research, purchasing decisions, and navigating the world of eCommerce.
Since the initial launch, Google has implemented several updates to further improve product review content. Notable algorithm updates have been rolled out in December 2021, March 2022, July 2022, September 2022, and February 2023.
The product reviews system implemented by Google prioritizes reviews that provide detailed and insightful analysis, rather than thin and templated content that simply summarizes multiple products.
What sets the latest Google algorithm update apart from previous ones is its broader impact, affecting multiple languages including English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, Indonesian, German, French, and Dutch.
Keeping up with these updates is essential to ensure that your business employs the most current strategies. By staying aware of the Google algorithm update in 2023, you can align your SEO efforts and stay attuned to the evolving search landscape.
Google’s product reviews update 2023 is all about showing off your reviewing skills and backing up your claims with evidence. If you want your product reviews to shine, here’s what Google wants to see:
Don’t just tell, show! Include visuals, audio clips, or links that provide first-hand evidence to support your review.
Numbers don’t lie. Use quantitative measurements to give readers a clear idea of how the product performs in different categories.
What sets the product apart? Dive deep and thoroughly explain its unique value propositions in your reviews.
Remember, it’s not about the length of your review, but the quality and originality. Google values insightful and original reviews more than lengthy ones.
Google’s product reviews update primarily evaluates feedback on a page-by-page basis. However, websites with a substantial amount of product review content might face a site-wide evaluation.
But wait, there’s more! The google seo update isn’t only about the content of the reviews themselves. Google also takes into account the overall quality and trustworthiness of the websites hosting the reviews. So, if your website provides valuable and trustworthy content, your product reviews are more likely to climb up the search engine rankings.
Now, here’s the fun part: the recent google update 2023 to the algorithm doesn’t directly punish lackluster product reviews with thin content. Instead, they reward websites that offer insightful and valuable reviews. However, if your rankings take a hit because your competitors’ product reviews are getting all the love, it might feel a bit like a penalty. So make sure your reviews stand out and show Google what you’ve got with the help of BrightBrain’s SEO expertise.
Before we part ways, let us leave you with some tips to generate higher quality reviews that will make Google’s algorithm do a happy dance:
Offer incentives or rewards to your customers in exchange for their honest reviews. A little motivation can go a long way in encouraging them to share their experiences.
Don’t be shy about reaching out to your customers after they’ve made a purchase. Send them personalized emails asking for their feedback. Make them feel special, and they’ll be more likely to provide detailed and valuable reviews.
Encourage your customers to share image and video reviews. Visuals add an extra punch of authenticity and help potential buyers get a real sense of the product’s features and performance.
Utilize structured data markup to mark up your product review content. This helps search engines understand and display your reviews in a more appealing and informative way. It’s like giving your reviews a fancy outfit for the search results party!
That wraps up our deep dive into Google’s February 2023 Product Reviews Update! Now you’re armed with the knowledge you need to stay on top of your review game.
If you’re looking for a digital marketing agency that can help your business fulfill its search engine optimization needs, look no further than BrightBrain!
Bright Brain is a Digital Marketing and Advertising Agency with a focus on building digital solutions for Branding and Increased Sales efficiency. Our expertise includes Digital Advertising, Campaign must-have Engine Optimization, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Web Development, and Online Branding. Our Google Partnership brings a unique opportunity to work with the internal team at Google, adding even more value to our team & clients.
Suhail Bajaj is the CEO of BrightBrain Marketing Technologies LLP that has now grown into a full-fledged digital marketing agency with 55+ employees and clients from 7+ countries – all under his supervision. Graduated with an MBA from the esteemed Cass Business School, he brilliantly puts his learnings into practice, helping brands meet their business goals and succeed in a digital-first world.
