Google February 2023 Product Reviews Update

Introduction

As with any search engine, Google routinely makes updates to its systems. The algorithm has to be perfect. After all, the main customer is the user. Given that billions of people use Google each and every day, these updates are necessary. These can affect thousands, even millions of businesses. And what’s more, they are lengthy. Since there are trillions and trillions of pages, it takes time.

Therefore, each time Google rolls out an update, it may take a long time to impact each and every website. So, if you are here, chances are you want to learn about Google’s February 2023

product review update. It is one of the most significant updates the search engine has made in a long time and it is most likely going to affect all sites.

But before we jump in, here is a general overview of Google product reviews, what an update is, and what creators need to know about the newest update!

How do I get Google product reviews?

Most of the time, shoppers and visitors alike look forward to reviews to help them make their decision. Statistics show that customers trust 88% of reviews that they read online. To succeed, businesses need to ensure that product reviews appear on their pages, without them, it may feel inauthentic.

Based on a 5-star rating system, you will be able to see the overview of a product’s performance with Google’s product reviews. Note that reviews are directly related to the product and not the seller. Even though you may have the product review enabled for your business, it may not show up on Google. Websites need to take action for that to happen.

But how exactly do they work?

Reviews are displayed based on how the search engine gathers and combines the data for the product from multiple marketplaces, retailers, and websites.

How does Google identify products?

By using globally used unique product identifiers. Things like the brand, MPN, URL of the product, and GTINs.

Remember that each product has a review that Google can find. So, the more specific your product is the more likely you yourself can find and aggregate reviews. This in turn helps Google use your collection and base its review on it.

So how exactly do you add product reviews on your website?

1. Firstly you will have to comply with the requirements. These requirements are not a lot but ensure that you meet each of them.

2. There are also stringent policies in place. Ensure that your website and review system is complying with them. To learn more about the requirements and the policies, you can click here.

3. Once you have done these and your website complies with the requirements and policies, you have to sign up and submit a request to be a part of Google’s product reviews program. 

4. After that, you have to wait till Google approves the application. Upon fulfillment, you can now upload your review feed. You can also source this review feed from your own website or take it from a third-party aggregator service.

The three ways to collect reviews

There are 3 ways to do it.

1. Using a third-party service. The best thing about third-party review aggregators is that they make the process streamlined. From creating review feeds to scheduling them to collect them from everywhere, third-party services make things easy. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage with them is that they are not free.

2. Google Customer Reviews is the second option. This is the search engine’s own method to help businesses get reviews. To use this, you will need to use GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers). There are a few advantages of using this. It is free to use and Google gives you a “certified reviewed” badge. It is also very simple to set up. The major disadvantage is that the review survey is auto-generated by Google, which means you can’t enter your customized questions. But perhaps an even bigger gripe is that customers will be asked to opt-in before they make a purchase if they are to review it.

3. The third option is to set the whole thing up by yourself. While it requires the most work, this is the one option where you will be saving money and getting exactly want.

So, now that you are clear on what Google product reviews are, how they, work, and how you can add them to your site, let’s take a look at what product review updates are.

What is a product review update?

We have already talked about how Google has to constantly make updates to keep its algorithm functioning smoothly. In February of 2023, Google rolled out a product review update. The goal of the update was to promote content that goes above and beyond essential information that is available elsewhere. Google wants to push reviews that go in-depth.

While the product review update does not penalize websites, ones with a dearth of relevant content will be pushed down.

What are the changes?

The changes are minimal when you look at it from your point of view. However, for the search engine, it is massive. This means that your website content needs to be revamped. Since it took 2 weeks for the whole update to roll out, you have to give it time. Around the middle of March is when you should ask questions about the quality of your content in context with the product review update.

The changes are in terms of how the search engine prioritizes website content. From now onwards, Google will give more emphasis to websites with more content. And not just content, but content that is relevant to the product. Reviews often skim the surface. But there are a few that will cover every facet of the product. Google aims to highlight those to better serve its customers. Your business should look into putting the most detailed reviews in the front.

What languages are they rolling out to?

Google’s product review update will be rolled out in the following languages. Indonesian, Dutch, English, German, Polish, Portuguese, French, Italian, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Russian. Only these eleven have been chosen. And Google was specific about it.

What creators should know about Google's product reviews update?

Their product reviews should be as detailed as possible. The more you talk about specifics, the higher your review will rank. It is as simple as that. When you are selecting the product reviews, ensure that you pick the most detailed one.

Will it affect your site?

Yes, undoubtedly. Whether the reviews on your site are detailed or not, Google’s bots will have to crawl every single page on your site. Again. This means that your rankings will fall and you will see lesser traffic than usual. You might have been first on the search but thanks to the update, things might be different. We have often said that when Google updates roll out, it is best to sit tight and wait. The majority of the time things will revert back to the original state of affairs. However, if you are still concerned, we at Wisoft have a firm grasp on the latest product review update and can help your website get to where it was or better yet, crack the first results page.

Why does this update matter for your business?

Put simply, we are in an era where every piece of information is available online. Therefore it makes sense for businesses and Google in particular to try and provide as much information as it can to its customers, the users. In an attempt to do so, their latest update is an effort to help users make more informed decisions. Through the product review update searches will now show product reviews that have the relevant information and more!

This will help customers get a complete overview of the purchase they are about to make. This update will remove the surface-level “reviews” that only summarize the product and instead put forth reviews that are based on experience with the product.

It is crucial that reviews of your product cover everything apart from the basics. In the end, it is clear as day the focus is the customer.

Conclusion

As technology evolves, it is important to stay up to date with things. Businesses too need to keep up with trends. They need to continue providing insights and value to customers. The world works and lives online, and hence the only way businesses can prosper is if they adapt.

The current Google product review update is simply designed to help customers make better choices. If your product is the best, customers will come to it. However, if you need help making sure that Google knows it is a quality product and it is the best, get in touch with us at Wisoft. We will help you use the right kind of reviews and help your page get back to where it belongs.

In this era of Google's dynamic updates, securing your digital success is paramount. Our SEO agency in Dubai is dedicated to propelling your brand to new heights, making sure you stay at the forefront of online visibility and engagement