Did Reviews still have the same value in Google places ranking?

[csfarnsworth]

I have two questions relating to Reviews.

1. Reviews still add value to Google places ranking.

2. I have a page and two clients posted reviews for me.They all get removed after 3,4 days.What is wrong with Google?Did they consider them fake?

[RobertFisher]

Christopher

As to the question do reviews still add value to Google places ranking, I would say yes and would tell you I am answering your question this way: If all other things are equal from site to site, does a site with reviews seem to rank better than a site without? Again, yes.

As to your issue with reviews being removed by Google, "I have a page and two clients posted reviews for me.They all get removed after 3,4 days.What is wrong with Google?Did they consider them fake?" I have to say there are more questions that need to be answered.

First you say I have a page and two clients posted reviews for me. You follow that with they all get removed within 3-4 days. The way you say it, this does not appear to be a one time occurrence wherein two clients within roughly 24 hours of one another posted reviews and then 3 to 4 days later, Google removed them. It sounds like this has happened to you before; is that true?

I can tell you that in the world of reviews there are many times that totally legit reviews are removed for whatever reason by Google. We have had clients who got reviews from clients, created a gmail account for the client (with the clients business email as the alternate to show it was real) then posted the review. Removed. We have seen a client go send out emails and postcards and have multiple customers post reviews over a short time span (say weeks or a month) and those were removed. So, no one knows what precisely Google thinks is "natural." I watch client competitors create one review G+ profiles constantly and get away with it:

They create a G+ for Bob M., post a review on the competitor's site saying he is wonderful, cheap, perfect, and saves a puppy a day, 3-6 months later they have no one in circles and have not posted another review anywhere. One such competitor had about a one and a half star rating with 8 reviews over 2 years; today he has a 3.6 rating due to 7 reviews in the last 2 months rating him at 5 stars. Of those 7 one has 2 reviews the others have never reviewed anything. The one with two reviews has a review for the competitor and a review for the competitors other company.

So, why did yours get removed so quickly? I would need to know more to assist you, but I do believe that once it has happened you must be more careful going forward.

Best,

Robert

[csfarnsworth]

Thanks Robert.I try to reach David many times.Watch his Whiteboard Fridays with Rand but unfortunately have not heard back from him.

Robert the situation is so annoying to me.This happened to me second time.Reviews remain live for 4,5 days and than get removed.This is 4 months old page.

I totally agree with your point.I have one other page where I asked my friend to post review.I created that page and in one hour.My friend and I have posted review.They are still live so whats wrong with these reviews.Though the clients accounts are new for sure but how can I make this happen/working for us.

[RobertFisher]

Christopher,

If you will PM me with the G Places listing, I will have our Local expert look at it if I cannot. (she is smarter than me on it though). I can at least tell you if we see anything glaring in it.

Best,

Robert

[csfarnsworth]

https://plus.google.com/103019229287324831618/

here is the link.

[RobertFisher]

Christopher

My apologies for the delay, but got out of the hospital (10 days) yesterday and needed to get resettled.

OK, more is clear seeing your G places . First, You are making a common mistake in the way this is set up. Your categories show different areas of law you practice which is good. When you look at the business description it is simply keyword stuffing. Boston divorce attorney, boston ___ attorney, etc. over and over.

In that place you need to speak to a customer: We are a full service law firm with competencies in x, y, and z. We understand that divorce is difficult emotionally, financially, mentally and we work to take away some of that stress for our clients...... blah, blah, blah. Or parking is easy and free and we can schedule after hours appointments to assist our clients, etc.

From the keyword stuffing, I conclude you are trying too hard and are likely creating red flags with the reviews. Without seeing them or knowing who put them up, it is hard to tell what the flag is. For the reviews, make sure whoever is doing is one is logged into their personal Google account. Make sure they are NOT on the same computer, at the same company, etc. Do not put several reviews up at once. etc.

The next time you are putting one up, PM me as soon as they post and I will look at it. (Make sure you send me a link again as I will forget all).

Last - make sure your Google Places is verified, also go create a G+ for business account.

Best,

Robert

[csfarnsworth]

Ok sure I shall let you know when one of my client post review.

Thanks a lot for your guidance.

One thing more do I need to edit these citations now?I have created page at yellow pages and Yelp.

[RobertFisher]

Since you created the yelp and YP, make sure the info is precisely the same on your website, (Only one phone and address). Name, Address, Phone - NAP - must be identical everywhere. So, yes, edit if needed. Make sure you do full profile, so they do not add for you.

Best,

Robert

[csfarnsworth]

I just want to make sure we change the meta description like you mentioned the keyword stuffing issue.All information was same based on site details.

[RobertFisher]

Christopher

The meta description for each page of your site should be different and should answer a specific query of the searcher. Let's take divorce attorney Boston as the query. A potential meta desc. might be: Simple and complex divorces handled with care. We will answer your questions on the phone. Call 777 888 9999. Roughly 155 characters. Learn SEO

Where I saw the KW stuffing was on your description of your firm on G+ (See screenshot) Also, you are treating this as if it in someway will help you rank by saying Boston over and over. It won't and it won't do what you need which is to talk about why I should choose YOU as a law firm. This should be an earnest sales pitch. Think elevator pitch.

For your local, it is ALL about the NAP being consistent. Name, Address, Phone and being consistent anywhere and everywhere.

Hope that helps,

Robert

[csfarnsworth]

Where I saw the KW stuffing was on your description of your firm on G+.Thanks for your help.I just need this answer.