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The Google team just let us know they have made a couple of important revisions to the Google+ Local Review Guidelines.
I've always said review stations were a bad idea and didn't think Google approved of them. At one point a rumor or maybe even factual statement was circulated that said Google said it was OK to use review stations. I don't believe that was EVER endorsed by the actual review spam team that's actually in charge of making these decisions. Nonetheless the info circulated and more businesses started using review stations.
Some of us believed the heavy review take-downs at car dealerships were at least in part due to the fact that many dealers incorporate review stations. BUT we've had a hard time getting a definitive statement from Google one way or another until now.
Google just updated the Review Guidelines. (Still still rolling out, not live for all yet.) However Jade posted the following updates in the Google Business forum which are now live.
Above is just the new content that was added. Click link above to read the full post if you haven't yet. Here is link to the official guidelines which should update soon: Removals of Google Places reviews
UPDATE 3 PST: It appears someone only updated the Google+ Review Guidelines and did not update the Google Places Guidelines above. PLUS I think I see some other differences in wording in the Google+ Review guidelines, so fine tooth comb them here: Review content policy - Google+ Help
Self reviews have always been taboo, but I think it's good they spelled it out. Many of the businesses complaining in the forum of missing reviews that are all supposedly "100% legit, from real customers"
when I use my little trick to view the reviews Google deleted I can tell many were written by the owners themselves.
Google is actively working on the review piece and I'll have more good news on this front as soon as I can share it. But I think it's great they are starting to be more transparent and clear on exactly what is prohibited!
What do you think?
I've always said review stations were a bad idea and didn't think Google approved of them. At one point a rumor or maybe even factual statement was circulated that said Google said it was OK to use review stations. I don't believe that was EVER endorsed by the actual review spam team that's actually in charge of making these decisions. Nonetheless the info circulated and more businesses started using review stations.
Some of us believed the heavy review take-downs at car dealerships were at least in part due to the fact that many dealers incorporate review stations. BUT we've had a hard time getting a definitive statement from Google one way or another until now.
Google just updated the Review Guidelines. (Still still rolling out, not live for all yet.) However Jade posted the following updates in the Google Business forum which are now live.
Having technical issues with the reviews on your listing? Read this first
There have been a lot of questions about reviews lately in the forum, and we wanted to address some of the more common ones.
Before we dive in, we want to reiterate that we do read about issues that you’re experiencing, and we’re working hard to overhaul and improve our reviews system to make it better for everyone. Yes, it’s going to take time, and we know that can be frustrating. But we hope the work we’re putting into long-term fixes today will significantly improve your experience soon.
1. Where did my reviews go?
Edit, December 12: Please note that the Review content policy now states that business owners or employees should not review their own businesses. We also discourage review stations or kiosks set up at your business location that are solely for soliciting reviews.
Above is just the new content that was added. Click link above to read the full post if you haven't yet. Here is link to the official guidelines which should update soon: Removals of Google Places reviews
UPDATE 3 PST: It appears someone only updated the Google+ Review Guidelines and did not update the Google Places Guidelines above. PLUS I think I see some other differences in wording in the Google+ Review guidelines, so fine tooth comb them here: Review content policy - Google+ Help
Self reviews have always been taboo, but I think it's good they spelled it out. Many of the businesses complaining in the forum of missing reviews that are all supposedly "100% legit, from real customers"
when I use my little trick to view the reviews Google deleted I can tell many were written by the owners themselves.
Google is actively working on the review piece and I'll have more good news on this front as soon as I can share it. But I think it's great they are starting to be more transparent and clear on exactly what is prohibited!
What do you think?