NetReputation explains why Google reviews are important and how to remove a negative Google review of your business or brand.
Google reviews have never been more important. In fact, recent studies have shown that more than three-quarters of consumers currently check online reviews on platforms such as Google My Business before dealing with a company or brand for the first time. Asked why Google reviews, in particular, are so critical, and whether it’s possible to remove a negative review should one appear, NetReputation’s experts offer a closer look at the facts and figures.
“Not only are record numbers of consumers now consulting online reviews before dealing with brands and businesses for the first time, searches for ‘how to remove google reviews’ and ‘remove google review’ are also higher than ever, too,” reveals a member of the NetReputation team.
Of course, the more we as consumers know about the brands and businesses we plan to deal with, the better. Reviews on platforms such as Google, Yelp, and Trustpilot are an excellent source of information for prospective customers or clients. Five-star reviews reflecting people’s valuable opinions on the products or services that a company is offering are, nowadays, often instrumental in drumming up new business for organizations of all shapes and sizes.
However, when a negative review arises, what’s the impact, and what can be done about it? Many businesses strive to maintain a glowing reputation, and for them, a negative review will likely come as a shock. Is this a disgruntled customer? A case of mistaken identity? A malicious competitor? Negative reviews can, and do, arise for a plethora of reasons. Justified or not, however, upon receipt of poor feedback—particularly for the first time—on Google or elsewhere, most business owners will quickly ask themselves the same question: What can I do about it?
Thankfully, a number of approaches are available to those who’ve found themselves on the receiving end of negative Google reviews – whatever the reason. First, NetReputation advises contacting the reviewer. This, logic would dictate, will probably be a recent customer or client. Either reach out to them privately, NetReputation suggests, or publicly respond to their review and address the situation at hand via the Google My Business console.
Where a reviewer is unwilling to cooperate, or where a testimonial appears to have been posted maliciously or otherwise in error, an alternative approach will likely be necessary.
In this instance, businesses and individuals alike may also request a review removal directly from Google. Reviews that violate Google’s content policies can, according to the search engine giant, be flagged for removal from business profiles on the platform. Only reviews that violate specific Google content policies, however, it’s reported, will be considered for removal. “Google doesn’t get involved when businesses and customers disagree about facts,” says the company, “since there’s no reliable way to discern who’s right about a particular customer experience.”
Thankfully, Google’s list of potential reasons for removing reviews in line with its content policies is reasonably broad, and currently includes irrelevant and offensive comments, illegal and inappropriate content, conflicts of interest, and—where it can be proved—impersonation.
Whether a negative Google review can or cannot be successfully removed from the platform, the importance of such reviews also highlights the crucial nature of another aspect of doing business in the digital age: Online reputation management. “More and more businesses are now actively trying to manage their online reputation, completely separate from wanting to remove negative information from platforms such as Google,” explains a NetReputation representative. “Even if they’re false, negative reported experiences can be hugely detrimental to the success of any business or other organization if left unchecked,” they add.
As such, NetReputation recommends actively equipping yourself with the information and knowledge that you and your business need to protect your reputation online. Want to find out more? Experts on topics such as ‘how to remove a google review’ and recently rated Best Global Reputation Management firm 2020 by Newsweek.com, request a free consultation today or visit NetReputation.com for further information.