How strongly do reviews influence local SAB SERPs in Maps?

[mattstephenskc]

I received a couple questions this morning from above:

1. Is there a recent tweak to rankings keyed to reviews? (by which I think he means an algorithm change)
2. Do the number and/or quality of reviews dictate who is listed first in a market?

Do any of you have insight into the extent to which reviews affect local rankings for SABs in Google or Maps searches?

We're trying to determine whether to push ourselves harder in our review solicitation efforts.

TIA.

 

[keyserholiday]

The short answer is they don't. The longer answer, there is a ranking boost from reviews, but it could be the first 5, 10, or 20 reviews and zero benefits after that. Consumers will discount reviews older than 3 months old so it's good to have a steady flow of new reviews coming on a weekly basis.

 

[mattstephenskc]

The short answer is they don't. The longer answer, there is a ranking boost from reviews, but it could be the first 5, 10, or 20 reviews and zero benefits after that. Consumers will discount reviews older than 3 months old so it's good to have a steady flow of new reviews coming on a weekly basis.

Maintaining a steady flow of reviews over time will result in hundreds of total reviews. So growing the review count, while not an end in itself, would be important by this logic.

 

[keyserholiday]

Maintaining a steady flow of reviews over time will result in hundreds of total reviews. So growing the review count, while not an end in itself, would be important by this logic.

How so? Please elaborate on this.

 

[mattstephenskc]

How so? Please elaborate on this.

You said, "Consumers will discount reviews older than 3 months old so it's good to have a steady flow of new reviews coming on a weekly basis." Simple addition proves that maintaining a steady flow of new reviews on a weekly basis will eventually result in lots and lots of reviews.

 

[keyserholiday]

I meant what will having hundreds of reviews accomplish?

 

[mattstephenskc]

I meant what will having hundreds of reviews accomplish?

It doesn't accomplish anything. It's just the natural result of following the strategy of slow and steady growth.