Google has rolled out its third reviews update of the year, and it’s the last one they’re confirming. This update, which was expected, was launched on November 8, 2023, around 12 pm ET. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of this November 2023 reviews update and what it means for website owners and content creators.
Google’s Announcement
Google made it clear that this would be the last time they announce a reviews update. They stated, “because they will be happening at a regular and ongoing pace.” This means Google is moving towards more real-time updates for its reviews system.
What’s New?
Apart from the change in how Google confirms updates, they also mentioned that this update is now happening at a “regular and ongoing pace.” This suggests that changes to your website will be reflected in the reviews system more promptly than in the past when Google rolled out periodic updates.
Global Impact
This update is a global one, affecting multiple languages, including English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Russian, Dutch, Portuguese, and Polish.
Transition from Product Reviews
In the previous reviews update in April 2023, Google stopped referring to them as product reviews updates and now simply calls them reviews updates. This expansion allows Google to evaluate reviews on a wider range of topics, including services, businesses, destinations, and media such as games and movies.
November Core Update
Interestingly, Google is also concurrently rolling out the November 2023 core update. Websites may experience the impact of both the core update and the reviews update simultaneously, making it challenging to determine which update influenced their site’s performance.
Past Reviews Updates
To provide some context, here’s a list of the previous reviews updates:
- April 2021 Reviews Update – April 8, 2021
- December 2021 Reviews Update – December 1, 2021
- March 2022 Reviews Update – March 23, 2022
- July 2022 Reviews Update – July 27, 2022
- September 2022 Reviews Update – September 20, 2022
- February 2023 Reviews Update – February 21, 2023
- April 2023 Reviews Update – April 12, 2023
- November 2023 Reviews Update – November 8, 2023
Why Does It Matter?
If your website publishes reviews or review-based content, it’s crucial to pay attention to this update. Monitor your rankings to see if your organic traffic improves, declines, or remains stable.
What Google Expects from High-Quality Reviews
Google has laid out 14 best practices for creating high-quality reviews. These principles are not new but are essential for websites aiming to provide valuable and authentic review content:
- Evaluate from a User’s Perspective: Write reviews with the reader in mind.
- Demonstrate Expertise: Show that you have in-depth knowledge about the subject.
- Provide Evidence: Back up your reviews with visuals, audio, or links to your own experiences.
- Quantitative Measurements: Share data on how the subject performs in various categories.
- Highlight Uniqueness: Explain what sets the subject apart from competitors.
- Consider Alternatives: Discuss comparable options or suitability for specific uses.
- Benefits and Drawbacks: Present pros and cons based on original research.
- Evolution of the Product: Describe how the product has improved over time.
- Key Design Choices: Discuss how design choices affect the user experience.
- Include Useful Resources: Link to other helpful sources.
- Multiple Seller Options: Provide links to different sellers for reader convenience.
- Recommendations with Evidence: If you recommend the best option, support it with first-hand evidence.
- Comprehensive Lists: Ensure that ranked lists can stand alone with useful content.
Following these best practices can enhance your website’s credibility and user trust while aligning with Google’s standards for high-quality reviews.