On the Google LatLong blog, Tammy Stern announced that Google is now providing richer results in Google Maps Searches. Specifically, the local search results now include review snippets along with the business listings in an area.
Here is an example search result for Sports Chiropractor in San Jose:
Note the review text showing up with the search results on the left. Even though the snippet from only one review is shown, I think the purpose of it is to entice the user to click on the reviews and find out more.
If you click on the reviews, an “Info Box” shows up on the right with more reviews and details, like this:
As you can see this Info Box contains more detailed information about this business from their Google Local Profile.
What can small businesses can do to take advantage of this?
1) Make sure to set up a Google Local profile for your business. Click here for some tips and resources on how to do that.
2) Ask your best customers to fill out online reviews for you. Now that these results are showing, you will want to make sure you have online reviews so your business stands out from the rest of the list. One chiropractor in LA is getting 80% of his new business from online review referrals. Here is an article that shows how to get your customers to review your business online – How to Use Online Reviews To Get More Customers for Your Business.
I’m curious to know what business owners think of this new feature. Do you think it is a good idea? Let me know – I’d love to hear from you!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Here’s another great article about this on Chris Smith’s Natural Search blog.
Sounds kinda dangerous to me, if Google is determining which review to place in the snippet for you. Like Chris Smith said, How Google determines the review to show is the real question.
I see it being a help for the most part. But it could be bad for some. It seems awful hard to determine what review should be shown about a company.