Google Needs a Bandaid

Those of you who read my blog posts on Internet marketing and strategy know that I have been a huge fan of Google. Simply stated, Google is by far the most dominant and popular search engine. Since 90% of buying decisions these days are influenced by people searching on the Internet for products or services, I have taken the position that it is extremely important that your dental practice website position well on the local Google business Map.

One of the best ways to optimize the position of your site is by accumulating reviews from satisfied and happy patients. There is a direct correlation between the quality and volume of patient reviews and how you rank on the map. Not surprisingly, studies show that people choose from the top two or three sites.

It used to be relatively easy for someone to leave a review on Google. But about three months ago, Google Pages morphed into something called Google+Local. Google changed its rating system (stars to Zagat) and required anyone trying to write a review to join Google+Local. This required you to leave your full name and a bunch of information about your friends and your interests. The theory was that Google was trying to become the next Facebook. Google claimed it instituted these changes in order to try to prevent false or spam reviews detrimental to legitimate businesses.

Well whatever they did has been an unmitigated disaster because it is now almost impossible to post a review. The person writing the review from his/her computer sees the review published on his/her computer screen, but the review does not transfer to the Google Page of the business. I’m not certain if dentists are aware of this, but go ahead and try to write a review and you’ll see exactly what I am speaking about. Check your own Google+Local page and most likely you will not see a new review posted in over three months.

I took some flak recently when not because of this problem with Google –but because of the Apple Maps connection to Yelp on the new iPhone 5 – I started recommending that dentists spread their reviews around and to try to solicit reviews from their patients on Yelp. Well guess what–even though Yelp aggressively filters reviews–at least they get posted!

I am distressed and disappointed with what Google has done. They are without a doubt harming their own brand. How can a company so smart be acting in this manner? Google of course doesn’t even answer the phone–all complaints have to be done by e-mail, and they rarely if ever respond. I have enlisted the help of a number of tech savvy people, but to date nobody has been able to figure this out. I can say that over the past two weeks, a very small number of reviews are starting to get through. But it is very spotty. So when a patient wants to write a review for you, don’t waste the opportunity. Have them use Yelp until further notice.

The good news is that Google references reviews from all other rating sites. So your Yelp reviews will help your position on the Google Map. Go figure!!