Google Reviews with Upvotes Last Longer

If you are a business owner, you are probably aware of the importance of Google reviews. Positive reviews not only boost your business’s reputation but also help it rank higher in local search results. However, did you know that reviews with upvotes can make an even bigger impact on your business’s visibility?

In a study published by Sterlingsky, it was found that businesses with 10 or more reviews on Google are more likely to rank higher in local search results. The study also revealed that the recency and length of the reviews are important factors in ranking.

Recently, another study was conducted that shed light on the impact of upvotes on the ranking of Google reviews. According to the study, reviews with more than one upvote tend to stay in the top ten for around 100 more days as compared to those with one or no upvote.

The Power of Upvotes

To understand the power of upvotes, let’s first look at how the review system on Google works. When a customer leaves a review, other users have the option to upvote or downvote it. The more upvotes a review gets, the more visible it becomes.

The study found that reviews with upvotes have a better chance of staying in the top ten for longer periods. For example, a review with one upvote has a higher chance of staying in the top ten for 30 days, while a review with two upvotes can stay there for up to 100 days.

The chart below illustrates the correlation between upvotes and the duration of time a review stays in the top ten.

 

How to Encourage Upvotes

Now that we know the impact of upvotes on the ranking of Google reviews, the question arises: how can businesses encourage customers to upvote their reviews? Here are some tips:

1. Ask for Reviews

The easiest way to get more reviews and upvotes is by asking your customers to leave a review. You can do this by sending an email or a follow-up text message after the customer has made a purchase or used your service.

2. Provide Excellent Customer Service

Customers are more likely to leave positive reviews and upvotes when they have received excellent customer service. Train your staff to be courteous and helpful, and always go the extra mile to satisfy your customers.

3. Respond to Reviews

When you respond to reviews, you show your customers that you care about their feedback. This can encourage them to upvote their reviews and leave more positive feedback in the future.

4. Incentivize Reviews

Offering incentives such as discounts or freebies can encourage customers to leave a review and upvote it. However, be careful not to violate Google’s review policies, which prohibit businesses from offering incentives in exchange for positive reviews.

Conclusion

Google reviews with upvotes can make a big difference in the visibility and ranking of your business in local search results. Encouraging customers to leave reviews and upvote them can help you stay ahead of the competition and attract more customers. Remember to always provide excellent customer service, respond to reviews, and avoid violating Google’s review policies.