Can you buy Google reviews? (and what are the consequences)

Harnessing the power of customer reviews on Google is a great way to rocket your business up in search engine rankings, build trust with potential customers and establish yourself as an industry leader. Not only that, but Google My Business listings help you earn valuable local SEO points on Google Maps too!

Ratings and reviews are a powerful endorsement for your business – the more positive ones you have, the better potential customers will perceive it to be! Choosing to buy Google reviews can put your business at a disadvantage. Not only are you risking your good reputation, but the consequences could be dire if caught in an act of dishonesty. It's important that businesses maintain high ethical standards and cultivate customer feedback through honest practices instead of cutting corners with shortcuts like purchasing reviews.

But, can I actually buy Google reviews?

Well, short answer - yes you can. Trying to take a shortcut with reviews may seem appealing but be warned – it's likely that Google will catch you and more than just your reputation will be on the line. Don't risk your reputation by going against Google’s policy; focus on building genuine relationships with customers instead!

A review can be seriously damaging for your business If the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) finds that a reviewer hasn't made it clear they were paid. In 2019 the FTC placed a 12.8 million fine on a weight loss supplement company that used fake amazon reviews. It’s a hefty fee for purchasing fake reviews, and while you might not pay that same amount if you get caught buying Google reviews, the fine could still have a great financial impact on your company.

Should you buy Google reviews?

Absolutely not. If your company wants to buy Google Reviews as part of its online marketing strategy you have to consider what the end goal is for your company. With a quick Google search you can find several places willing to send you 50 Google reviews for $50. While these reviews may seem helpful at first, they could be a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off - if one is caught as fake, all of them are likely vulnerable. It’s not worth the risk.

Besides outright buying reviews, bribing your customers also goes against Google's guidelines - to ensure ethical business practices, exchanging something for a review isn't allowed. Companies may be tempted to offer incentives like free dinners, a lavish vacation or cold hard cash in exchange for positive reviews on Google-- but the truth is that such rewards cannot substitute genuine customer satisfaction. What really matters is delivering consistent quality and excellent service!

Don't waste your budget on buying reviews. Investing in reputation management technology will pay dividends - literally! Not only is it the ethical choice, but you'll see 5-star ratings flooding in with greater speed and accuracy than ever before. Plus, Google's sophisticated algorithm can detect suspicious activity so why chance it?

Earning Google reviews is within your grasp! With a bit of effort and dedication to excellent service, you can put yourself on the path towards positive customer feedback.

Buying Google reviews means they are fake

Fake reviews on Google are pretty easy to spot; if someone hasn't experienced your product or service, they can't give an honest review. Authenticity is key when it comes to feedback - make sure you're getting genuine insights!

It's no secret that some businesses use fake reviews to try and capture the attention of their target audience, but what they don't know is how damaging this can be. Fake customer feedback undermines your credibility - rather than helping you reach potential customers, it could have a negative impact on your reputation as an untrustworthy business. Don’t let bad decisions jeopardize success; make sure every review sent out reflects authentic experiences people had with your company!

But how can I ethically boost my online reputation?

Review management can seem like an imposing challenge, but with the right steps and automation tools it doesn't have to be! With a few clicks of your mouse and Chekkit you'll be well on your way to improving both customer satisfaction and Google rankings.

To get reviews that really shine, you need to create an exceptional experience for your customers. Providing quality products and services is key - without it all of the review management in the world won't be enough to make up for a mediocre offering!

Want to boost the reputation of your business and have customers at its doorstep? Take a look at these 3 hacks that might just be what you need for those glowing Google reviews:

1. Ask for reviews
With your Google My Business profile all ready to go, it's time you started drumming up meaningful customer feedback! Sure, like we said, you could buy reviews - but why not take the authentic route? Ask for them directly and watch as genuine responses pour in.

A strong customer experience is key to building a successful business; show your clients that you value their opinion by asking for written reviews on Google or video testimonials. This feedback will provide valuable insights while reinforcing the positive vibe of your company!

No one can guarantee that their business will only get five stars, but you CAN make sure to be proactive about collecting reviews. Some tips for asking for reviews are:
•Ask after their purchase has been made
•Or a few hours after they've purchased from your business online or in-store, or after you’ve provided them with a service.
•Use reminders, people can forget! Just ensure you are personalizing them and they don’t come off pushy or desperate.
•Use a review link so it's incredibly easy to review you. The less effort consumers have to put in the more likely they are to leave a review.

With Chekkit, we make it easy to ask for and collect reviews all from our dashboard. Whether it’s Google, Facebook or a niche review site targeted to your company we can help you navigate and manage all your reviews.


2. Respond to reviews
Reviews - positive or negative - are invaluable, because they allow customers to engage with your business and get their feedback acknowledged. Letting reviews go unanswered can make a customer feel disregarded; it's important for businesses to take the time to respond thoughtfully and show that you value every opinion expressed!

Show potential customers that you care by responding to online reviews - a personalized touch like this can really go a long way in building trust and loyalty!

For all positive Google reviews:
•Thank them for their time and leaving a review.
•Be sure to invite back to your business
•Make sure to add a personal touch and create an authentic connection! When responding, always include your name as well as the recipient's to put that finishing, familiarizing flourish.

For all your negative reviews on Google:
•Again, thank them for their time and the review - even if it's a bad review, Even though the review wasn't favorable, there was still valuable feedback to gain insight from.
•Try to take the conversation offline to sort the issue directly.
•Apologize that the customer experience wasn't what you intended.


3. Harness the power of technology to supercharge your online reputation
If you're looking for a five-star rating, reputation management software is your perfect review companion. Take away the headache of monitoring, embedding, and sharing reviews with this helpful friend - not to mention requesting and responding quickly!

Final thoughts

Google packs a powerful punch as both an incredible search engine and review site! When it comes to your business, optimizing Google My Business is key - just be sure you're staying within the legal realm. There's no need to worry about buying reviews when you can create legitimate ones organically with great customer service.

Don't challenge the Federal Trade Commission - it's far better to use a platform like Chekkit that can help you get more customer reviews without risking your reputation. Easy-peasy!

Let's leverage the power of social proof to boost your business reputation - because having a bunch of glowing Google reviews is like free advertising!

Looking for a way to enhance your reputation? Investing in a reputation management software can be the extra boost you need to reach epic results. No reviews purchases required - just some strategic system optimization!

Author:
Micah
January 4, 2024

Join Chekkit Today

Thank you! We'll reach out as soon as we can.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

3 week free trial

Cancel anytime

Free data migration

No credit card required

Start your free trial today

Our demo videos

Find out how Chekkit works

Watch our videos

Reach out to us

Speak to someone on our team to get some more information

Contact SalesContact Sales