Good or Bad - Google reviews from the one IP?

[E2E]

Hello, our client wants to place an iPad in their foyer where they invite customers to review via Google / Facebook.  My concern is that having too many reviews from the same IP (and esp the business' IP) will look suspicious to Google (be it now, or in the future when the algorithm changes). Do you think Google collect the IP's of reviews? Any thoughts?

[MiriamEllis]

Hi E2E,

Definitely "bad". What the client is suggesting is called a "review kiosk" or "review station" and it's likely to result in their Google reviews being filtered out. I've not seen this documented, per se, with Facebook, but I wouldn't advise it as a strategy for any platform. In fact, sometimes reviews can even get filtered out if a customer writes them while using a company's in-house wi-fi. So, definitely advise the client against the kiosk. It's vital that reviewers use their own devices.

Of interest, there was a point about 6 years ago at which Google stated that it was okay to have review kiosks. They then did a 180 and stated that it wasn't okay. Kind of confusing, eh? But, if the client is waffling on this, just show them Google's review content policy (https://support.google.com/business/answer/2622994?visit_id=1-636355701683667727-3832853603&hl=en&rd=2) which states:

If you're a business owner, don't set up review stations or kiosks at your place of business just to ask for reviews written at your place of business.

Hopefully, that will steer them clear of this unadvisable concept

[E2E]

Thank you Miriam - I appreciate the time you took to respond and provide me with information to take to my client.

[MiriamEllis]

My pleasure, E2E!