Since 2007, businesses have had the ability to collect online reviews through Google My Business pages. These reviews have become a crucial part of a business’s reputation, with 75% of all customers checking them out before making a decision.
A solid stack of Google reviews makes your business look approachable, trustworthy, and worth a customer’s time. But let’s face it: getting those reviews takes time and effort.
Requesting feedback, managing responses, and replying to reviews? It’s a full-time job.
You might be wondering, “Can I just buy online reviews?” Well, you can. But the better question is: Should you? The Answer: buying google reviews is risky, unethical, and can land you in serious trouble with Google.
In this blog, we’ll explore why buying Google business reviews is a bad idea. We’ll also share better, smarter ways to maintain your online reputation ethically and effectively. Let’s dive in!
Why Buying Google Reviews is Risky
Despite what you’ve read online, there are almost no upsides to buying Google reviews. Let’s walk you through some top reasons it’s a bad idea to buy Google reviews.
Google Review Policies
As a search engine, Google takes discoverability very seriously and doesn’t tolerate any funny business when it comes to the artificial inflation of profiles.
As per Google’s review policies, you must “focus on what you liked or disliked… and your own experience using it.” Google also reserves to take down reviews that it deems as “fake or spam,” which is defined as:
In 2024, Google removed more than 170 million fake reviews with the help of a new machine learning that detects fake reviews at lightning speed.
Bought reviews have always been a serious thorn in the search engine giant’s eyes. Since its inception, Google has gone to great lengths to remove them. In 2024, it went a step further and put a temporary block on a business listing for buying reviews.
Legal Consequences
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has swung hard against bought reviews in the past years. As the U.S., leading federal agency for enforcing consumer protection, the FTC has formally prohibited the “sale and purchase of fake consumer reviews as well as the purchase of positive or negative consumer reviews.”
The companies found in violation may face up to $51,744 in penalty for each fake review or testimonial, given they are found to be in the know about the misconduct.
Similar consumer protection laws are cropping up in leading markets around the globe:
- Canada’s Competition Bureau has warned that companies could be liable under the Competition Act for false or misleading online reviews.
- The United Kingdom Government has announced several reforms to protect the public from misleading reviews in marketplaces. The fine for breaching consumer protection laws can go as high as 10% of global annual turnover for businesses or up to £300,000 in the case of an individual.
This signals the same thing: Buying Google reviews is a serious no-go move.
Impact on Reputation
Customers are constantly exposed to advertising and promotional content throughout their waking hours. As a result, they have become adept at detecting fake or purchased reviews.
While Google’s policies may seem strict, they pale in comparison to the scrutiny of savvy customers who strongly disapprove of businesses engaging in such practices. Even the slightest hint of shady activity can drive them away permanently.
Still, tempted to buy reviews? Think twice: is it worth the gamble?
Ethical Alternatives to Buying Google Reviews
Given how important reviews are for a business and how time-consuming the process of acquiring them is, it’s easy to give in to the temptation of buying reviews online.
As we’ve discussed above, buying Google reviews is not a good idea. Fake reviews can backfire and lead to penalties from Google and a loss of credibility.
Instead, here’s what you can do to generate genuine reviews that build long-term trust and customer loyalty.
1. Request Reviews from Happy Customers
The best time to encourage a customer to leave a review is while they are still on the premises. Train your staff to communicate the importance of reviews upfront. A personal, in-the-moment request feels more genuine and is harder to decline. Seize the moment when the customer’s satisfaction is evident, and the positive experience is fresh in their minds.
Instead of buying fake reviews that can be detected and removed, a direct request for a review builds credibility. Follow up politely with a direct request via text or email. For brick-and-mortar stores, include QR codes on packaging that link to your review site.
Sounds like a hassle? Because it is. Here’s where a review management tool comes in. You can request reviews via SMS/Email campaigns, track customer feedback efficiently, and respond to reviews.
Getting reviews at the right time is crucial, but reminding customers manually can be a hassle. SocialPilot Reviews request feature automates the process and ensures your customers are prompted to leave feedback while their experience is fresh.
By making the process effortless for you and your customers, SocialPilot Reviews helps you consistently generate authentic customer reviews with minimal effort.
- Send automated review requests via SMS, email, and QR codes
- Track and manage reviews across multiple platforms from a single dashboard
- Quick automated response to reviews, showing customers you value their feedback
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If you’re still unsure, read our handy guide on how to get customers to leave reviews.
2. Leverage Review Management Tools
Unlike purchased reviews that lack authenticity, using automation tools makes sure you’re on top of real reviews from customers. With a review management tool, you can have a centralized system where you can track, organize, and respond efficiently.
A centralized system doesn’t just help you stay organized; it helps you act fast. Timely responses show customers you’re listening, which builds trust and encourages even more people to leave reviews. In fact, engaging with existing feedback often sparks fresh reviews from others who notice your brand is actively involved.
Tool like SocialPilot Reviews handle the heavy lifting for you. They automate the process of sending out review requests, responding to reviews, and sending follow-up reminders for reviews.
3. Incentivize Reviews (Ethically)
Want more customers to leave more reviews? Sweeten the deal! Offer them some cool perks like loyalty programs where they earn points for leaving a review. Those points could mean discounts, free goodies, or something fun for their next visit.
Or you can host a giveaway! Customers can enter just by leaving a review. No need to ask for glowing feedback, just honest thoughts. Check out this fun giveaway that HeroToyz organized to pool reviews.
Buying reviews forces a false narrative and risks getting flagged by Google. In contrast, incentives encourage real customer engagement while ensuring transparency. HeroToyz successfully ran a giveaway that asked for “detailed” reviews rather than just positive ones, which allowed customers to express an honest representation of their experience.
4. Showcase Reviews to Motivate Others
Already got a bunch of glowing reviews on Google or other review sites? Don’t let them rot in a corner. Show them off, and let your customers cheer for you in public.
While buying fake reviews might create a temporary boost, it lacks real engagement. Showcasing genuine customer feedback builds long-term credibility and encourages real conversations about your brand.
Here are two review marketing strategies you can start with:
- Create a “Customer Love” section on your website and add rotating quotes from your reviews to keep it fresh.
- Beyond your website, share your most shining reviews on social media channels to gain trust and attract potential customers.
You can automate both tasks with the SocialPilot Reviews using its Review widget and social sharing capabilities.
5. Respond to Every Review
When someone leaves a review, don’t let it go unnoticed! Responding to positive and negative reviews is your chance to show people that you care and want to do better. Say thanks for the good stuff and handle the not-so-good stuff like a pro.
For positive reviews, Say thank you and add a personal touch. Mention something specific they said, like, “So glad you loved our new smoothie flavor!”
For negative reviews: Don’t panic. Apologize if needed, and let them know how you’ll fix things. Something like, “We’re sorry your visit wasn’t perfect. Let’s make it right, please reach out!” goes a long way.
Fake reviews hinder genuine interaction and can make your business appear untrustworthy. Responding to authentic reviews builds meaningful connections and lasting customer relationships.
While buying Google reviews might seem like a quick fix, it comes with significant risks, including penalties and a loss of consumer trust.
Ethical alternatives, such as requesting reviews from happy customers, using automation tools, offering incentives, showcasing feedback, and responding to every review, not only improve your online presence but also build a loyal customer base.
Tools to Generate Online Reviews For Your Business
A strong review strategy is essential for your business, and the right tools can make all the difference. From getting more reviews to managing them like a pro, here’s a list of review generation tools that are worth a try:
Looking for an affordable, feature-packed option? SocialPilot Reviews might just be your perfect match!
You don’t have to chase reviews manually anymore; it does the hard work for you! With a couple of clicks, you can collect customer feedback through its automated email and SMS campaigns.
SocialPilot Reviews also offers centralized management, so all your reviews from multiple locations are in one spot. With its AI-powered responses and CRM integrations, it keeps everything running smoothly and professionally. It’s ideal for businesses of all sizes, whether you’re just starting out or managing a large team.
Create a customer-obsessed, self-sustainable brand with SocialPilot Reviews. Start your free trial today!
BirdEye
BirdEye acts like a personal assistant for your online reputation. It turns customer feedback into actionable insights to help you grow. It’s perfect for managing reviews, conducting surveys, and ensuring your business listings are accurate across platforms. This tool is especially great for industries like healthcare, retail, and hospitality, where customer trust is everything.
There’s a caveat. The advanced features come at a cost, and those costs can add up fast, making it less budget-friendly for smaller businesses.
Podium
Podium makes connecting with your customers a breeze. Its SMS-based tools are designed to help you generate reviews, chat with website visitors in real time, and even manage payments, all from one place. It’s all about creating a seamless experience for your customers while boosting your engagement.
If you’re just starting out, the pricing can escalate quickly as you start adding more features, so keep an eye out.
Conclusion
Still thinking of buying Google reviews? Let us reiterate: It’s just not worth it. Beyond the threat of Google’s penalization or serious warnings from the Government of leading global markets, think of your customers. buyers. They can smell something fishy from a mile away. A single shady move can break their trust and send them running for good.
Instead, focus on the real deal: building trust through honest, genuine feedback from customers.
If you’re ready to make reviews your superpower, SocialPilot Reviews has your back! This tool helps you:
- Send review requests to customers via email and SMS.
- Manage multiple brands and locations all in one place.
- Respond to and handle all reviews from a single, central dashboard.
- Easily upload contacts for each brand and location using a CSV file.
- Set up one-time or ongoing campaigns to request reviews.
- Integrate with hundreds of CRMs and other tools through Zapier.
SocialPilot Reviews makes review collecting super easy, so you can spend less time stressing and more time connecting with your customers.
Ready to grow your business with authentic reviews? Hop on, and avail your one-month free trial right here (no credit card needed).