Let me tell you a story about reviews that changed everything for me. It was March 2020, right when Covid hit hard. We’d just gotten a Saint Bernard puppy, and everyone was still in that “don’t go into each other’s houses” phase.
My Dad, bless his heart, is a total boomer. He came over to see my puppy and saw all the Amazon boxes in front of my house. “Son,” he said, “you are shopping too much.”
I tried to explain, “Dad, this is how everyone shops now, and all the stores are about to be closed.”
He just shook his head, “I like to see and touch things before I buy them.”
I couldn’t resist teasing him, “Well, you also still have an AOL email address…so….”
Fast forward a month, and I’m at his place with my dog. What do I see? A bunch of Amazon boxes. My dad sheepishly admitted, “Oh yeah, it’s great. I can just see the review count and not even think. I just click purchase.”
That’s when it hit me like a ton of bricks. The average age of a home seller is 60, and they’re all really leaning into review shopping for the first time. Our team HAD to win in this space. This realization has been our biggest driver for growth, and it’s why we’ll close nearly $200 million in volume this year.
Why Google Reviews Disappear
But here’s the thing – maintaining those crucial Google reviews isn’t always smooth sailing. Our team at Fox Homes has over 1,706 reviews, but we still get panicked messages from our agents: “Help! My client’s review is visible on their end, but it’s not showing up on our Google Business Profile!”
Sound familiar?
Here’s what’s happening: Google’s review filter is getting stricter. It’s especially picky when clients leave reviews from out of state or while on vacation. Google flags this as potentially fake activity.
But don’t worry, I’ve got a trick that almost guarantees your reviews will stick around.
How to Ensure Google Reviews are Posted
Have your clients add a photo (or video) to their review—a snap of the house they bought or sold, or even better, a happy closing photo. I’ve yet to see a review with a photo removed by Google.
Or better yet, a video of your clients popping the celebratory champagne. Plus, Google often pushes these photo reviews to the top. It’s a win-win!
How to Recover Google Reviews
Even with these tricks, sometimes reviews still disappear. But don’t panic! Here’s a step-by-step guide to recover them:
- Go to Google Business Profile Help.
- Log in with your GBP-associated Google account.
- When asked what you need help with, type “Missing reviews.”
Remember, persistence is key in this review game. Keep encouraging those photo reviews, and don’t be afraid to fight for the ones that slip through the cracks. With these strategies, you’ll master the art of Google Reviews in no time.
Want more insights like these? Check out my book, Six Weeks to Real Estate Success available on Amazon. It’s packed with tips to help you thrive in today’s real estate market.
Now, let’s go get those reviews and grow your business!
