As of last Friday, Google made some major changes to their local listings, leading many PBHS clients to ask us, “Where are my reviews?”
Third-party review sites (e.g. Insider Pages, DemandForce, Yelp, etc.) are no longer being compiled within Google Star Ratings. While many SEO professionals are uncertain how these third party reviews are now weighted into search results, PBHS has noticed a discernible negative change in rankings for clients paying for these services.
So what does this mean for you?
It is remarkable how even the smallest change by Google will effect the marketing results of your practice. Here are a couple of actions you should consider to properly adjust to this change:
1. Make Google Your Priority for Ratings/Reviews
At PBHS, we are currently recommending that our clients encourage patients to leave reviews directly onto their Google Places Pages
Reviews left on the Places Page are visible and accumulate within your Star Ratings. We have determined that these reviews are beneficial to your search results. Unfortunately, there is no way to moderate legitimate reviews left on Google. However, we believe that the benefits far out-weigh this negative.
2. Google+ Network
We are also encouraging clients to add Google +1 (Google’s new social sharing) to their sites. We believe that Google will start to take this new social system into account in the future rankings.
3. Focus on Organic/Traditional SEO
These changes demonstrate the importance of a well-rounded, diversified internet marketing approach, including an optimized and informative website as well as complete and authoritative local business listings with consistent citations, domain links and reviews on third party websites. PBHS Clients that utilize our aggressive SEO campaigns maintain their high rankings throughout Google’s period of change. Other practices, that previously enjoyed a top spot gained primarily through third party sites ratings and reviews, have not fared as well.
Though certain trends will continue to come and go in the search engine and social media industries, having a well optimized website – the ultimate online portfolio for your practice – continues to be the cornerstone of successful online marketing. PBHS SEO services ensure that your website is kept up-to-date with Google’s constantly changing algorithm.
Please contact PBHS on how to attain a Search Engine Optimization Evaluation for your website today! Call 1-800-840-5383 to get started now.