If you've noticed that your Google business profile has lost an unusually high number of reviews, don't worry! The problem is not just with you.
Google have released an official announcement that there has been a problem with Google reviews in the last few days. And it has affected many businesses.
But what exactly happened? And what does it mean for you and your business?
What is the problem with reviews on different Google business profiles?
In recent days, many business owners have noticed that the number of Google reviews on their Google profile has decreased or that new reviews are not showing up at all.
This, of course, has led to mass confusion and frustration. And numerous complaints on social networks and various media.
Google reacted immediately. They confirmed that there was a "bug" that caused this global problem. The good news is that Google is now working on fixing it.
What could be the consequences for your business?
Every Google review is key to your business Google profile.
And here, the familiar "the more the merrier" is absolutely true.
Most reviews on your Google My Business profile build trust (social proof) with potential customers, attract new customers and influence your business' position in local search.
If their numbers suddenly drop, or worse - if they disappear, it can affect your sales and brand reputation.
Imagine you're searching for a restaurant, but you see there are only 3 reviews, even though there were 150 a week ago. Will you make a reservation?
We doubt it. And the reason is more than clear.
What can you do while you wait for the problem to be fixed?
Don't panic! Here are some tips our experts at Grow Easy would advise you:
- Check your Google profile. If you notice a drastic drop in the number of reviews, keep calm. Google is already aware of the problem.
- Wait. The Google team has said that they are already working on the bug. The lost reviews may return soon.
- Inform your customers. If someone tells you they left a review but it's not visible, assure them it's a temporary issue.
What should happen next?
We expect Google to recover all lost reviews as soon as possible.
We encourage you to monitor your Google My Business account and be patient. If the problem persists even when Google releases a message that the bug has been fixed, contact Google tech support.
If you are interested in this type of articles and news about Google and what Google Ads and SEO is, check out our blog!