Competition leaving bad reviews on our places page, what to do?
-
I have flagged the reviews as not useful from multiple IPs. I have attempted reporting the review as well. Google does nothing. It's very obvious that the review(s) are fake. Often all the other reviews of the person's profile are for different cities and all 5 stars for businesses that they are most likely doing SEO work for. Are (blackhat) SEOs using bad reviews as a technique to keep the competition out in your business/market? What did you do about it?
-
In all my years doing local search marketing the only bad reviews I have been able to get removed on Google are those that include profanity or "inappropriate content" and even those have required many email exchanges with Google.
Have you read this: http://www.google.com/support/places/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=187622
Also remember to make it easy for your clients to post review by placing you places link on email campaigns and social media profile pages.
Good luck!
-
Thanks! we figured as much, and already have a positive review since this bad one. I was just wondering if there was an easier fix
-
Thanks! we figured as much, and already have a positive review since this bad one. I was just wondering if there was an easier fix
-
The best way to fight evil is with good. Focus your energy and efforts on getting / encouraging your clients to leave positive reviews for your company.
-
Sorrry, I got it worng, than. No idea about google places
-
Zsolt, I believe the reviews are being left on the Google Places page, not on the website itself.
-
Maybe you can try restricting those people from leaving review with a htaccess. If they are clever they can still get arounf the restriction but the have got a harder time to do so. I don' know how it can be done technically but maybe you can restrict someone with a given mac address, so that a given computer will never be able to access your page again. Ban profiles and forbid e-mail addresses in the cms. I haven't got any better advices, these are machine algorythms so they do not see the face of the commenter. They can ve identified due to their ip, computer or e-mail.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Good Example of Local Pages With Multiple Services
Can I get a site that is well optimized and has a good landing page for a business that serves multiple regions with multiple services. For example they may have construction and mold removal services and serve Indianapolis, Columbus Ohio, Louisville Ky.
Image & Video Optimization | | Atomicx0 -
Google Places Images
Hi, i recently added a image to google places listing uploaded via the google places dashboard. It was uploaded about 3-4 weeks ago. The image is exactly 1024x1024 in size. I'm not sure whether google is not displaying it because its too big, or because it takes a while for google to start showing images for places listing. I was reading it can take up to 6 weeks. I don't want to have to wait 6 weeks, then find out the reason why the picture wasn't uploaded was because it was too big. Any suggestions on how i can find out which one is the case? Thanks, Matt
Image & Video Optimization | | Mattcarter080 -
Google local places
I got pin via phone and verified my sites four weeks ago , after logged in google place account there is no data, status is active .can anyone help me to show data and getting result for local search.
Image & Video Optimization | | Alick3000 -
Help - Google places,a service my competitor has used...
I was just doing a bit of detective work on a competitors website and noticed they had employed the services of an SEO company. Anyway, i went on this SEO companies website and discovered they offer a service called "Google places". Now I have an idea what google places is (my company is registered with it) but how are SEOs using Google places as a method for SEO? And how can I copy this service to do this for my own website?
Image & Video Optimization | | copywritingbuzz0 -
Google Places email question
Hi Mozzers- I just watched the recent Webinar on Google Places optimization. Unfortunately I missed the live broadcast. I have a couple of questions: It was advised to use an email at the domain for claiming the listing. What about a Gmail address with the company's name in the address? I try to use an email at the domain, but sometimes I'm not able to get one setup. One of my clients provides a service where clients don't necessarily have to come to their location. I used the radius option within maps but they are still not coming up in other locations. I should note that they have very good visibility in the metro area where there is more competition. Some of their competition is showing up for lots of locations and they have offices in one location. Tips? Thanks in advance! LHC
Image & Video Optimization | | lhc670 -
Reviews not showing up in Google Places
We have had several clients tell us their customers are giving them reviews on Google Places, but the reviews are either not showing up at all, or they show up for one day and then disappear. Has anyone else seen this happening with their clients, or with their own website? What can we do to get Google to post the reviews or find out why the reviews are not appearing on the places listing? Thanks for any help.
Image & Video Optimization | | GregWalt0 -
Url in Google Places bulk upload
Hi, I'm preparing a bulk upload for Google Places and have a question about the url of every individual place. The website is structured this was: www.website.com/entrepreneur-X
Image & Video Optimization | | nvs.nim
www.website.com/entrepreneur-Y
... But you can reach every individual entrepreneur like this as well: www.entrepreneur-x.com
www.entrepreneur-y.com
...these URL's redirect to the pages listed above and they use the e-mail address info@entrepreneur-y.com Should I use www.website.com/entrepreneur-X or www.entrepreneur-x.com in the bulk upload? I think it's best using www.website.com/entrepreneur-x because the other url is a redirect. What do you guys think??1 -
Is there an easy way to see how competitive a local search term is?
Is there a quick and easy way to see how competitive local search terms are? I am looking at helping my clients show up on the local search results. Some times all I have to do is claim a listing and they move right to the top. Sometimes I claim a listing and nothing happens so I get links and I get reviews and it takes awhile. I want to be able to put an accurate price point on the service I am offering. I have looked at the search volume and it hasn't been the best indicator because some industries are more competitve than others. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Image & Video Optimization | | jimmyseo0