Google updates search rankings to make good reviews easier to find
Google has been working on ways to sort out good product reviews from bad ones before presenting them to the user. Last year’s update promoted product reviews that provide evidence of the actual handling of the product. It also provided links to other sellers so buyers have more options.
Now the search giant is rolling out a new update to how it ranks product reviews to separate expert reviews from less informative ones. These new guidelines make it more clear that reviews must not only contain information from manufacturers but also provide firsthand experiences of the product.
A good review isn’t just about the positive side. It also doesn’t focus on the product alone. The review should include pros and cons, and comparisons between the product and previous versions. Here are the four key items that today’s update focuses on:
- Include helpful in-depth details, like the benefits or drawbacks of a certain item, specifics on how a product performs or how the product differs from previous versions
- Come from people who have actually used the products, and show what the product is physically like or how it’s used
- Include unique information beyond what the manufacturer provides — like visuals, audio or links to other content detailing the reviewer’s experience
- Cover comparable products, or explain what sets a product apart from its competitors
Note that this update covers only English-language product reviews and will be rolled out gradually so you should start seeing its effects soon. Google has been happy with these changes and will continue to work to make product reviews ranking in other languages.
You can read the guidelines from Google that describe what makes a good review. This boils down to research and backing up claims with tests results. Also, explaining why a product is better than others.
