New restrictions that promote genuine reviews

The New Restrictions to Combat Review Manipulation

In their prohibited and restricted content support document, Google has outlined various types of deceptive content that are not allowed on their platform. The new restrictions to combat review manipulation are included under the fake engagement point. Let’s explore the two new restrictions in detail.

The First Restriction: Limiting Reviewing Ability

The first restriction limits the ability of users to leave reviews. This restriction applies to users who are identified as being affiliated with a business. These users will not be able to leave reviews for that business.

The Second Restriction: Suspending Reviewing Ability

The second restriction suspends the ability of users to leave reviews for a business temporarily. This applies to businesses that are identified as being engaged in review manipulation. Their ability to receive new reviews will be suspended for a period of time.

How Will These Restrictions Help?

The new restrictions are aimed at creating a more level playing field for businesses and giving users a better idea of what to expect when they visit a place. By limiting the ability of businesses to manipulate reviews, it ensures that genuine reviews will have a greater impact on a business’s ranking in search results. Users will be able to trust the reviews they read, giving them a better idea of what to expect when they visit a place.

What Can Businesses Do to Ensure They Are Not Penalized?

Businesses can ensure they are not penalized by following Google’s guidelines for reviews. They should not create fake reviews themselves or hire a third party to do so. They should also encourage genuine customers to leave reviews for their business.

What Can Users Do to Help Combat Review Manipulation?

Users can help combat review manipulation by reporting fake reviews they come across. They can also leave genuine reviews for businesses they have visited to give others a better idea of what to expect.

Conclusion

The two new restrictions put in place by Google to combat review manipulation on Google Maps are a positive step towards creating a more level playing field for businesses and giving users a better idea of what to expect when they visit a place. By limiting the ability of businesses to manipulate reviews, it ensures that genuine reviews will have a greater impact on a business’s ranking in search results. Businesses can ensure they are not penalized by following Google’s guidelines for reviews, and users can help combat review manipulation by reporting fake reviews they come across. So we can conclude that only genuine reviews are encouraged, and if anyone tries to violate these restrictions, they can be penalized.

FAQs

1. What is review manipulation on Google Maps?
   Review manipulation on Google Maps is the process of using fake reviews to artificially inflate the ranking of a business in the search results.
2. How does review manipulation affect businesses and users?
   Fake reviews can mislead customers and lead to false expectations for businesses. For users, fake reviews can lead to them choosing a business that does not meet their expectations, resulting in a poor experience.
3. How has Google been combating review manipulation?
   Google has made various efforts to combat review manipulation on Google Maps, including using algorithms to detect and remove fake reviews and encouraging users to report fake reviews.
4. What are the two new restrictions put in place by Google to combat review manipulation?
   The two new restrictions are limiting reviewing ability and suspending reviewing ability for businesses engaged in review manipulation.
5. How can businesses ensure they are not penalized for review manipulation?
   Businesses can ensure they are not penalized by following Google’s guidelines for reviews, which includes not creating fake reviews themselves or hiring a third party to do so.