Negative Google reviews. We all hate them. You open your email, coffee in hand, ready to start your day, and there it is. A 1-star review from someone who had the worst experience ever in the history of mankind because…
Last year, I wrote about how frustrated I was about this business that was buying fake 5-star Google reviews. It seemed that no matter what anyone did, this business was going to get away with Google review manipulation. Every time…
Everyone wants to know what the key is to ranking well on Google. There are many theories about reviews being a ranking factor, but what is it about reviews? Is it the text in the reviews? Is it the number…
Imagine waking up one morning and seeing ALL your Google reviews—GONE. Thousands of them... just disappeared overnight. Sounds like a nightmare, right? Well, that’s exactly what happened to a business that made one critical mistake. Not only did they lose…
TL;DR Hit the "Magic 10": Reaching 10 reviews triggers a significant ranking boost, but benefits plateau immediately after. Velocity Over Volume: Consistent monthly reviews (recency) are more impactful than having a large, stagnant total. Quality Matters: Reviews with actual text…
Imagine this: a 7-year-old review still haunting your business, driving customers away daily. That’s the frustrating reality of Google’s featured reviews, and if you’re a business owner, you probably know the feeling. What Are Featured Google Reviews? Featured reviews are…
Responding to Google reviews is a businesses owner’s secret weapon to building trust with potential customers. While you can’t control the feedback your customers leave, you can control how you respond, and that response can make a lasting impression on…
Have you ever read a glowing review and thought, “Is this even real?” You’re not alone. In 2023, Google cracked down on 45% more fake reviews than the year before. Despite these efforts, fake reviews are still rampant across the…
TL;DR • Missing Google reviews are usually filtered by Google’s automated system, not manually removed. • Google’s review filter has become much stricter, often flagging legitimate reviews as spam. • Common triggers include shared Wi-Fi/IP addresses, reviewers being far from…
Embrace the power of Google Reviews as a valuable feedback channel, leverage your reviews to continually improve your business, and provide stellar customer service. Do I Need to Reply to Google Reviews? Yes. Reviews, and how you respond to them,…
TL;DR In 2022, Google removed over 115 million fake reviews, but fake reviews continue to be a persistent issue, with some businesses buying fake reviews to improve their ratings on Google and Facebook. You can report fake reviews through Google's…
As we near the end of our case study on reviews, this next bit of information is probably the most mind-blowing thing we have learned about reviews in the last decade.  When someone is leaving you a review, they can…
Grapevine, TX
A full day of education from the best in local search. Your $299 ticket includes breakfast, lunch, and on-demand video after the event.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
8:45 AM – 5:00 PM CT
We’re partnering with State of Search on October 19. Attend both events for $500.