Its time for another Product Reviews Update from Google! Remember, the reviews system is in place to reward creators who produce high-quality product reviews and content. It does not have impact on third-party reviews or consumer reviews on products/services. To see the previous updates, check these out:
- Google Product Reviews Update: September 2022
- Google Product Reviews Update: July 2022
- Google Product Reviews Update: March 2022
It may seem like Google is constantly releasing updates and that is an understatement. They are running small unannounced updates all the time, but these larger updates are a great way to stay in touch with what is happening in the SEO world. It’s a constantly changing landscape.
Update Alert:
February 2023: Google releases the February 2023 product reviews update. The rollout was complete as of March 7, 2023.
Any New Changes?
Alas, Google remains tight lipped on what actual updates were introduced to its reviews system. What we do know: Unlike previous product reviews updates, the most recent one had a much broader reach. It affected not only English language reviews, but also Spanish, German, French, Italian, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Russian, Dutch, Portuguese and Polish.
Additionally, some research in the SEO spaces and forums suggest that Google may have tweaked the algorithm to better identify linguistic style. By this, we mean that Google is now a bit better at rewarding those who speak to users in a way that shows their personal experiences with products. This wouldn’t surprise us though as Google has often spoken out about the need to be authentic and helpful when writing product reviews.
Stay On Top of Content
The best way to stay ahead of updates is by following Google’s guidelines for writing high-quality reviews. Focus on creating content that you would like to read as a user yourself, or content you would share with a friend. Strike a balance between the facts related to the product you are reviewing and your personal experiences. Then, link them together.
If you are hit by this update, this is your chance to do some research and put more effort into your content. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the Cyberlicious® team for some good old advice and strategies too. We know the importance of keeping content fresh and unique.