As you may or may not have heard, Google released its third product review algorithm update earlier this month. The goal of this latest update is centered around promoting higher-quality product ratings in search results. Product review content that demonstrates knowledge, accuracy, and valuable information is the key focus of the company’s efforts to improve its rankings. To put it another way, Google’s goal is to provide transparent and first-hand product reviews that go above and beyond what is supplied by the manufacturers. I am sure by now that you are well aware that product reviews can make or break your bottom line and, more importantly, your online reputation. Therefore, product reviews should be your focus moving forward. More product reviews mean better hits on search engine results pages (SERPs). But I am getting ahead of myself. To further understand what this upgrade means, how it may affect your website, and the requirements for Google’s latest product review update, let’s break it down step by step.
Why Does Google Care So Much About Product Reviews?
What is it about this specific modification to Google’s ranking methods as it relates to product ratings that have them so adamant? When it comes to Google’s ever-increasing endeavor to give its users with valuable and relevant information, it only makes sense that impartial and helpful product reviews would also be considered vital. Google itself claims that they’ve discovered through rigorous user testing that they’ve discovered that:
“People value product reviews that include in-depth research rather than thin information that merely summarizes a large number of products,” said the author of the study.
It’s evident from the amount of user criticism they received that their algorithms fell short in terms of providing high-quality product ratings. Furthermore, the growth in the number of affiliate blogs that Google crawls and indexes will almost certainly result in an increase in the amount of low-quality affiliate content. As a result, it was necessary to provide an update.
Details Concerning Google’s New Product Review Update
The Google product reviews update is intended to encourage reviewed content that is superior to and more in-depth than much of the broad information available on the internet. The search engine giant Google has also said that these types of product reviews will be given more prominence in its search rankings.
They will not penalize lower-quality product reviews that have “thin content” in a direct manner. But if you submit low-quality content, your rankings will suffer as a result of the other higher-quality product evaluations taking precedence over yours. It can undoubtedly appear to be a form of punishment when viewed in this light. If you have more insightful and helpful content than the sites above you, Google will reward you for it. This is not necessarily a penalty against your content.
The Various Reasons Why You Should Care About the New Google Review Update
If you have a website that contains product review content, you may want to double-check your search engine ranking positions. Have you noticed an increase, a decrease, or a steady level of traffic from Google? Regardless of how you were impacted, it is worthwhile to put up the effort to include a great deal more depth in your product review content in order to make it stand out from the crowd and stand out from your competition.
When it comes to what to do if the product review change has negatively affected your site, Google has also provided some suggestions. To begin with, you should include more multimedia in your product reviews, such as images, video demos, music, and other linkages to your own personal experience. The second step is to provide connections to a variety of sellers rather than just one. This provides the reader with the option to make a purchase from the merchant of their choosing.
The Guidelines for Product Reviews Directly from Google
In this change, Google does present suggested criteria to follow when creating product evaluations, which are as follows:
- Include useful, in-depth information on the product, such as its advantages and disadvantages.
- Describe how a product functions or how it differs from a prior version in terms of specifics
- Product material that is based on the experiences of people who have actually used the products.
- Provide first-hand evidence to back up the statements of users.
- Include material that is distinct from what the manufacturer provides – such as photographs, videos, or links to other content that provides more in-depth insights on the product and supports the validity of the review – to demonstrate that the review is genuine.
- Compare and contrast similar products or describe what distinguishes one product from its competitors.
- Explain why and for what the product is best suited and whether or not it is accurate to the manufacturer’s standards.
Google also offers suggestions on how to publish your material on their website best. It’s critical to display competence and credibility in a concise and succinct fashion. Don’t make the same points over and over again or become redundant. The objective is to ensure that written product reviews match Google’s quality standard for inclusion in search results. Only relevant results, including original photos, should be cited in order to indicate your interaction with the item. Make sure to include enough valuable information so that your content evaluation can stand on its own two feet (or more).
In Summary
Google’s algorithms for deciding whether material is of actual worth are becoming increasingly complex as time goes on. It is critical for users to obtain a sense of items from genuine users rather than just reading about them in a catalog. Accurate product reviews are just another extension of the E-A-T (expertise, authority, and trust) norm, which is becoming increasingly important. If you’re interested in learning more about how we help businesses and their bottom lines thrive through efficient digital marketing, please do not hesitate to reach out to us and we will be more than happy to assist you. Remember, in the digital age, there is nothing more important than your online reputation.