Google recently announced that they are suspending Google Local Reviews for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak. In other words, if your customers write a glowing review of your business right now, it won’t post.
What happens to reviews that are posted to Google over the suspension? They haven’t said.
Yikes.
What’s the solution?
Stop asking people to post Google Local Reviews right now. We don’t recommend flat-out telling customers not to review you on Google — it’s unclear what effect that might have on your visibility through search. However, as far as we know as of this writing, other review sites are still active. So you can suggest that clients post their reviews there instead.
Additionally, make sure you clearly indicate alternative ways to contact you regarding any problems or issues. Why? Because some clients use reviews as a sort of de facto customer service option. And if you “ignore” their angry Google review, it can result in lost business.
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