Google has updated its review snippet guidelines, now recommending that ratings be accompanied by written reviews and the reviewer’s name to enhance transparency and usefulness in search results.
Namecheap
Find your perfect brand domain and claim it now to boost your SEO. Start from as low as $5 per year.
What’s Changed?
The latest updates from Google introduce new standards for how reviews are displayed in search results, focusing on reliability and context.
Google’s updated guidelines suggest that websites should make sure ratings are paired with both a written review and the reviewer’s identifiable name to improve the quality of review snippets.
Importance of the Update
These changes aim to provide users with more meaningful insights by offering context alongside ratings.
Without accompanying comments, ratings can seem hollow or misleading.
Google’s approach seeks to mitigate this by encouraging detailed feedback and authentic reviewer identities.
Google’s Recommendations
To comply with the new guidelines, Google has outlined several key practices for website owners.
Displaying Reviews Clearly
Ensuring that reviews are easily accessible on your website is essential for compliance.
Users should be able to quickly locate the marked-up review content, facilitating seamless integration with search snippets.
Authentic Reviewer Information
Authenticity in reviewer details helps build trust with users and search engines alike.
Reviewer names must be genuine, avoiding promotional or generic phrases, and kept under 100 characters to qualify for rich results.
Steps for Developers
Developers play a crucial role in implementing these updates effectively.
Utilize Google’s Rich Results Test to validate structured data and monitor performance through Search Console.
Proper application of schema.org properties like Review or AggregateRating is necessary to meet the eligibility criteria.
The Bottom Line
Google’s revised guidelines aim to enhance the quality and reliability of review snippets by requiring both written feedback and reviewer names.
If your website utilizes structured data for reviews, now is the time to make sure your setup complies with these new standards. For detailed information, refer to Google’s updated documentation.
