Google Reviews vs. Facebook Reviews: Which is More Important?

Customers talk, and the internet listens. Find out how the online conversation can change your business!

Doing right by one of your customers is an excellent feeling — chances are, it’s one of the things that inspires you. What’s more, though, that standout experience you just provided for your customer can pay your business back in a major way: a good review.

Positive online reviews create a sense of trust around your business or brand that time-and-time-again proves valuable in bringing in new customers. However, unmanaged negative reviews can repel new customers from even giving you a chance. Recent studies in the field show that 94% of customers would AVOID a business because of hostile reviews.

Arguably the two most important places to earn reviews are Google and Facebook — two undeniable titans in how Americans use the internet every day. While stacking up 5-star reviews on BOTH platforms is great, which one is more important? At WebTek, we make review management a cornerstone of our online marketing — and we’re digging in!

Building Reviews on Facebook and Google

While reviews are generated naturally by working hard for your customers every day, they are also a marketing tactic and can be invested in just like your other digital marketing efforts. The real question, though, is not, “Should I try to earn more reviews?” — but instead, WHERE?

A dedicated customer who wants to be a cheerleader for you is likely to leave a review in one place — asking them to leave their remarks on more than one platform is a bit much.

Let’s explore the advantages of earning reviews on Facebook vs. Google.

Why Google Reviews are More Important

Google is the premier search engine going into 2019 — and the nearest competitor (Bing) isn’t even close. As a result, doing anything and everything you can to improve your Google search ranking is worth it.

A collection of 5-Star and other positive Google reviews actively increases your position for relevant keywords. Along with a complete SEO marketing plan, earning positive Google reviews can spur your business to the top of the world’s most popular search engine.

Facebook reviews may show up in a Google results page when someone searches for your business — but they have NO influence over whether or not your business ranks for relevant search terms.

No doubt about it, since you want to impress Google, Google reviews are EXTREMELY important. In order for your business to be able to receive (and benefit from) Google reviews, you need to have a Google My Business profile set up. If you need help setting up a Google My Business account, we can assist.

Why Facebook Reviews are More Important

Facebook is the most popular social media platform of all time — with more than 2 billion active users, its popularity is beyond question. Facebook is a daily part of most Americans’ routines, and it’s a cornerstone of 21st century life. Of course, you need Facebook reviews (now called Facebook recommendations) to ensure that you’re well represented on such an influential platform.

While Facebook reviews don’t help you dominate the search rankings, they have 2 big advantages over Google reviews. Firstly, more people have Facebook and more people feel comfortable making their voices heard on it. Customers are more likely to already be signed into Facebook and more comfortable leaving a review there.

Secondly, Facebook is a social platform made for conversation. Facebook allows you to converse with greater probability of an actual conversation with someone who leaves a review. This connectivity can further nurture a positive relationship or diffuse a bad impression and even convince someone to remove a negative review. While this can happen on a Google review, it is much more likely on Facebook.

In order to be able to start reaping the rewards in the form of Facebook reviews, you need a business page with recommendations activated. If you need assistance setting up or managing your business on Facebook, contact us.

Verdict: BOTH Google and Facebook Reviews are Crucial

In almost every field you can imagine, both of these review platforms are a force to be reckoned with. Whether Google or Facebook reviews are more important to your business depends on your current marketing strategy.

If you acquire most new website visitors through your position in a competitive search field, Google reviews will be more important for that extra push up the rankings on page 1.

However, if you acquire most of your customers through paid Facebook media campaigns or positive social media word-of-mouth, having those stellar Facebook reviews will be more important to you.

Now here’s the good news: you don’t need to choose between the two — your business can, and should, make use of both!

Performance Internet Marketing Company to Manage Your Reviews

Those coveted 5-star reviews can seem like they occur by magic or fate, but you can do quite a bit to tip the scales in your favor. Since reviews are a crucial part of online marketing, WebTek has developed online and in-person tactics to encourage your customers to leave you more reviews across Facebook, Google, and more.

If you’d like to grow your base of positive reviews and your business as a whole, we’re the internet marketing company to trust. Learn why we set ourselves apart through our performance. Contact us today for a free marketing consultation.