I was confused.
After successfully completing a web project for a new client, I asked if my client would submit a Google review for my work.
The design changes, updates, and security changes I made on their existing WordPress site were extensive and my client was very pleased with the completed work.
My client was happy to write the review, replying back to me to let me know they had submitted it.
But for some reason, the review didn’t display in my Google My Business listing.
My Experience with Google Reviews
I know in the past, some Google reviews took a while to post.
But when I looked the next morning, the review wasn’t displaying.
Since 2016, I’ve been getting Google reviews from clients; I’ve never had a review not display.
I replied back to my client, explaining I couldn’t see the review. Double-checked the link.
My client could see their review, but I couldn’t.
What could be happening?
Which is when I started searching online to learn why Google reviews didn’t display.
Seems I wasn’t alone.
Many other businesses reported reviews weren’t displaying.
And I discovered quickly what happened with my client’s review. I shared what I learned with them.
My client quickly updated their review, and voilà!
The review displayed.
(By the way, it’s a great review!)
Read on to discover what happened and how the issue was fixed.
What I Learned About Google Reviews
As one of the most well-known review sites, Google reviews is the place many people turn to post their experience or learn about a company or organization.
Since content is user-generated, Google has automated policies in place to reject reviews that are fake, spam, or contain inappropriate content.
According to their prohibited and restricted content policy, Google may take down reviews that are flagged for non-compliance.
Here are a few of the items not allowed in a Google review:
- Fake content
- Spam
- Content that is off-topic
- Restricted content (email address, phone number, URL, promotional offers)
- Illegal content
- Offensive content
Did you notice number 4: restricted content?
That’s what led to my client’s review not being displayed.
Why My Client’s Google Review Didn’t Display
After I discovered Google’s policy, I asked my client a quick question:
Did you happen to include a URL in your review?
My client responded quickly.
Yes.
I asked if they could remove the URL from the review, explaining it was Google’s policy that URLs weren’t allowed in a review.
My client removed the URL and their review displayed within two minutes.
Who knew?
I didn’t. And neither did my client.
Glad my client was patient with me investigating the issue and happy to update their review.
You can check out my reviews on Google. Depending on when you look, you’ll find my client’s review as posted today (or refers to a September 2021 date).
I couldn’t find a way to link to an individual Google review (hey, Google My Business, why isn’t that available?).
My client’s review starts with
Deborah Edwards-Onoro is a pleasure to work with. Our site needed some updating on content, design layout, outdated theme and plugins, and SSL not resolving correctly.
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re a business offering products or an organization offering services, Google reviews are vital to your organization’s online success and reputation.
Reviews provide social proof. Making sure your reviews display is crucial.
I never expected a URL in the review would be a violation of Google’s guidelines. Thankfully, you can always edit the review to remove the URL or whatever else might be against their guidelines to avoid issues.
