Google says a mixture of optimistic and adverse opinions is extra reliable

Google has updated The Google Business Profiles Get Reviews help document specifically states that a mix of positive and negative reviews is more trustworthy than all positive reviews. Joy Hawkins discovered this and posted on Twitter “I know countless studies have shown this, but it’s nice to see Google recognizing it too.”

Here is the new line added to the document:

“Rate All Reviews: Reviews are useful to prospects if they are honest and objective. Customers find a mix of positive and negative reviews more trustworthy. You can respond to a review at any time to show customers that you care interest and provide additional context. If the review does not meet our posting guidelines, you can request that it be removed. “

The Wayback Machine does not have this line in the Snapshot from October this website.

Google says it rates “all reviews” both positively and negatively. In fact, it goes so far as to say that Google may not consider it trustworthy if there is an odd or unnatural level of positive and negative reviews.

So maybe sprinkling in a few negative reviews isn’t that bad – although it might hurt the owner’s ego?

Forum discussion at Twitter.