Your reputation is everything in the digital marketplace. It’s the virtual handshake that can either seal the deal or send potential customers running. One of the critical factors that influence this reputation? Google Seller Ratings.
Google Seller Ratings are more than just stars next to your name. They’re a powerful testament to your business’s credibility, quality, and customer satisfaction. According to a study, nearly 95% of shoppers read online reviews before purchasing.
Furthermore, products with reviews can have a conversion rate of 270% higher than those without. This highlights the immense influence of ratings and reviews on customer decisions.
In this guide, we’ll delve deep into Google Seller Ratings. We’ll explore what they are, how they’re calculated, and why they’re so important for your online business.
We’ll also guide you on how to get these ratings, how to add them to your Google Ads, and how to improve them.
Whether you’re a seasoned online seller or a newbie in the digital marketplace, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to leverage Google Seller Ratings to boost your online reputation and business growth.
So, let’s get started.
Table of Contents- What are Google Seller Ratings?
- Product Ratings Vs. Seller Ratings
- What Are the Benefits of Google Seller Ratings?
- What Results Are Advertisers Witnessing with Google Seller Ratings?
- How to Get Google Seller Ratings?
- How to Add Seller Ratings to Google Ads?
- Common Troubleshooting for Google Seller Ratings
- How to Improve Your Google Seller Ratings?
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions About Google Seller Ratings
What are Google Seller Ratings?
Google Seller Ratings are an automated extension system in Google Ads that showcases advertisers with high ratings. These ratings, represented as stars and numbers, provide a snapshot of your business’s overall quality and customer satisfaction.
They’re aggregated from various sources, including Google Customer Reviews, StellaService, Google consumer surveys, and select third-party review websites.
If you’ve ever entered a query into Google’s search bar, chances are, you’ve encountered Google Seller Ratings. These star ratings appear right beneath the URL in Google ads, providing a quick visual guide to a business’s reputation.
These Seller Ratings are common for e-commerce companies. But any business with a digital footprint can leverage Google Seller Ratings.
Whether you’re a software company, a healthcare provider, or a local brick-and-mortar store with an online presence, these ratings can be crucial in shaping your online reputation.
But how exactly are these ratings calculated?
Google uses a complex algorithm that considers various factors. These include your business’s overall quality, reliability, and performance.
To qualify for Google Seller Ratings, your business must have at least 100 unique reviews from the past 12 months and an average rating of 3.5 stars or higher.
Product Ratings Vs. Seller Ratings
Google Seller Ratings differ from product ratings. While Google Seller Ratings reflect the overall rating of a seller, product ratings refer to the ratings and reviews for specific products. Both play a significant role in influencing customer decisions but serve different purposes.
In Google’s ecosystem, Seller Ratings play a pivotal role. They not only enhance your ad visibility and credibility but also improve your click-through rates and conversion rates.
What Are the Benefits of Google Seller Ratings?
Google Seller Ratings benefits businesses in several ways:
Influencing Customer Decisions
Consumers are more informed than ever today. They look for reviews and ratings before making a purchase decision.
93% of consumers are more likely to buy from a business with positive reviews. Google Seller Ratings, appearing right in the search results, provide a quick snapshot of your business’s credibility, influencing potential customers’ decisions.
Boost SEO Efforts
Google Seller Ratings can also enhance your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) efforts. While Google hasn’t explicitly stated that Seller Ratings affect search rankings, they improve your ad visibility and click-through rates, which can indirectly boost your SEO.
Improving Click-Through Rates
Google Seller Ratings can significantly improve click-through rates. According to Google, ads with Seller Ratings can get up to a 10% higher click-through rate. This means more traffic to your website and potentially higher conversions.
Building Trust and Credibility
Google Seller Ratings can help build trust and credibility with potential customers. They serve as social proof, reassuring potential customers your business is reliable and trustworthy. This can be particularly beneficial for new businesses trying to establish their reputation in the market.
What Results Are Advertisers Witnessing with Google Seller Ratings?
Search Engine Journal reported that Google Seller Ratings significantly boosted click-through rates (CTR) for several advertisers. Some have seen their CTR skyrocket by over 100% when their ads display seller ratings, while others have noticed a more modest increase of around 5.9%.
Cindy He, the Associate Director at Metric Theory Digital Marketing Agency, analyzed nine of the agency’s e-commerce clients. The findings were quite revealing. Ads that displayed detailed seller ratings experienced an average CTR boost of 24% and a conversion rate increase of 26%.
It’s important to note that increasing an ad’s CTR can lead to higher ad rankings and lower your cost-per-click (CPC). While the extent of CTR improvement with online seller ratings can vary, the general trend indicates a promising potential for enhancement.
How to Get Google Seller Ratings?
Getting Google Seller Ratings for your business requires some strategic steps. The first thing to understand is that these ratings are not something you can manually add to your Google Ads. They are automatically generated based on customer reviews and ratings from various sources.
You must meet the following Google criteria for displaying Seller Ratings in your ads:
- Your business must have at least 100 unique and verified reviews in the searcher’s country.
- These reviews must have been collected from the past 12 months.
- The reviews must have an average rating of 3.5 stars or higher.
Once you meet the above criteria, Google will display Seller Ratings next to your paid Google Ads and Google Shopping listings. This could take a usual indexing time of up to 6 weeks.
The fastest way to get Google Seller Ratings is to encourage your customers to leave reviews. After purchase, send follow-up emails or text asking for their feedback.
Make the process as easy as possible for them by providing a direct link to the review page. Remember, the more positive your reviews, the higher your Seller Rating will be.
Google also aggregates reviews from certain third-party review websites it trusts. Partnering with these platforms can help you get more reviews and improve your Seller Ratings. Some of these platforms are:
- Trustpilot
- ResellerRatings
- Ekomi
- Bizrate
- StellaService
- Verified Reviews
- Yotpo
Read the complete list of the review sites Google trusts here.
How to Add Seller Ratings to Google Ads?
Adding Google Seller Ratings with your Google Ads is an automatic process. As mentioned, you need at least 100 unique reviews with an average rating of 3.5 stars or higher over the past 12 months.
Once you’ve met these criteria, Google will automatically start displaying Seller Ratings in your ads, assuming the ad and the user’s search query are relevant to your business.
It’s worth noting Google Seller Ratings are displayed at the campaign level, not at the ad group or keyword level. This means that all ads within a campaign will display the same Seller Rating.
Common Troubleshooting for Google Seller Ratings
There might be instances where your Seller Ratings aren’t showing up in your ads even though you’ve met the criteria. Here are a few common issues and how to troubleshoot them:
- Geographic Restrictions: Google Seller Ratings are currently available in certain countries only. If your business operates outside these countries, your Seller Ratings might not appear in your ads.
- Insufficient Reviews in a Particular Language: If your reviews are spread across multiple languages, you will need more reviews in the user’s language to display Seller Ratings.
- Low Ad Rank: If your ads aren’t ranking high enough in Google’s ad auction, your extensions, including Seller Ratings, might not show.
- Not Using Google Ads: If you’re not using Google Ads but still want to display Seller Ratings, consider using Google Shopping, which also displays these ratings.
How to Check If Google Seller Ratings Are Working?
Assuming you have met the above criteria. Now to check if your Google Seller Ratings are working for a specific country, follow the steps below:
- Go to https://www.google.com/shopping/ratings/account/lookup?q=site.com
- Edit and replace “site.com” with your homepage URL.
For example, https://www.google.com/shopping/ratings/account/lookup?q=https://www.target.com
You can view your business information and seller ratings if your site has reached the minimum seller ratings threshold. A country selector allows you to view this information by country. Use the drop-down menu to view the seller ratings you have received in different countries.
How to Improve Your Google Seller Ratings?
Improving your Google Seller Ratings is a continuous process that requires a strategic approach. Here are some key strategies to consider:
Provide Excellent Customer Service
The foundation of high seller ratings is excellent customer service. Customers with a positive experience with your business are more likely to leave a positive review.
This includes everything from the quality of your products or services to how you handle customer inquiries and complaints. Prioritize customer satisfaction in all aspects of your business operations.
Monitor & Respond to Reviews
Regularly monitor your reviews and take the time to respond to them. Whether they are positive or negative, responding to reviews shows that you value customer feedback and are committed to improving your services.
When dealing with negative reviews, maintain a professional and empathetic tone. Avoid being defensive. Address the customer’s concerns and offer a solution if possible.
Regularly Analyze Your Google Seller Ratings
Make it a habit to analyze your Google Seller Ratings regularly. Look for trends and recurring issues in your reviews. This can provide valuable insights into areas of your business that need improvement.
For example, if multiple customers complain about slow shipping times, it might be time to review your shipping process and find ways to speed it up.
Use Feedback to Improve Your Products/Services
Use the feedback from your reviews to improve your products or services. Customer reviews are a goldmine of information about what you’re doing well and where you can improve.
If customers consistently praise a particular aspect of your product, consider highlighting that in your marketing materials. On the other hand, if customers consistently report a problem, work on resolving that issue.
Adopt a Strategic Plan to Deal with Negative Reviews
Negative reviews are inevitable, but you can manage them. When you receive a negative review, respond promptly and professionally. Apologize for the customer’s poor experience and offer a solution.
You can even turn a negative review into a positive one by effectively addressing the customer’s concerns. Potential customers will see how you handle negative reviews. So it’s an opportunity to show your commitment to customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
Google Seller Ratings have become a critical factor in shaping the online reputation of businesses. They influence customer decisions and play a significant role in enhancing your SEO efforts and improving click-through rates.
The benefits of high Google Seller Ratings are long-term and far-reaching. They build trust and credibility with potential customers, improve your visibility in search results, and can even boost your conversion rates.
If you’re not already leveraging Google Seller Ratings, now is the time to start. It’s an investment in your business’s online reputation that can yield significant returns.
And remember, improvement is a continuous process. Keep monitoring your ratings, responding to reviews, and using the feedback to better your business.
Need help managing your online reputation and improve your Google Seller Ratings? Make DemandHub your ally.
Demandhub is an all-in-one business growth platform. It helps local businesses get more reviews, improve search visibility, enhance online reputation, and attract more customers, ultimately boosting revenue. It’s a comprehensive solution for companies looking to maximize their online presence.
Get your free demo today! Let’s leverage Google Seller Ratings to boost our online reputation and business growth together!
Remember, every review counts, and every star matters. Start focusing on your Google Seller Ratings today and watch your business grow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Google Seller Ratings
What Is Google Seller Rating?
Google Seller Ratings are an automated extension in Google Ads that display a business’s aggregate rating, showing up to five stars, based on customer reviews.
What Are the Requirements for Google Seller Ratings?
To display Google Seller Ratings, a business must have at least 100 unique reviews from the past 12 months with a composite rating of 3.5 stars or higher.
How Much Do Seller Ratings Cost?
Google Seller Ratings are a free feature of Google Ads. However, you may incur costs if you use a third-party review aggregator.
How To Check If My Google Seller Ratings Are Showing Up in Search Results?
You can check if your Google Seller Ratings are showing by looking at your ads in the search results or using the ad preview tool in Google Ads.
Why Aren’t My Google Seller Ratings Showing Up?
There could be several reasons why your Google Seller Ratings aren’t showing up:
- Not Meeting the Criteria: Google requires businesses to have at least 100 unique reviews from the past 12 months with a composite rating of 3.5 stars or higher. If you don’t meet these criteria, your Seller Ratings won’t show up.
- Delay in Aggregation: Google aggregates reviews from various sources. This process can take time. If you’ve recently received reviews, they might be delayed before they appear as Seller Ratings.
- Geographical Restrictions: Google Seller Ratings are country-specific. If your reviews are from customers outside the countries Google supports for Seller Ratings, they may not appear.
- AdRank is Too Low: Google Seller Ratings typically appear on ads in one of the top three positions on the page. If your AdRank is too low, your Seller Ratings may not show.
- Campaign Type: Google Seller Ratings show up for Search Network and Shopping campaigns but not for Display Network campaigns.
If you’ve checked all these factors and your Seller Ratings still aren’t showing, contact Google Support for assistance.
How to Turn Off Google Seller Ratings?
To turn off Google Seller Ratings, you can follow these steps:
- Go to your Google Ads account. Click on the Campaigns icon.
- Click on Assets. Then, select Association from the drop-down menu of “Table view.”
- Click the three-dot on the right. Then click Account level automated assets.
- Click the three-dot menu on the right again, then select Advanced options.
- Select Turn off specific automated assets.
- Look for ‘Seller Ratings’ in the list.
- Click on ‘Turn off specific automated extensions’ next to ‘Seller Ratings.’
- Choose the reason for disabling the Seller Ratings.
- Click Turn off. Save your changes.
By following these steps, you can turn off the display of Seller Ratings in your Google Ads. It’s important to note that turning off Seller Ratings will prevent them from showing with your ads. But it won’t remove any existing ratings or reviews collected.
How Do I Find My Google Seller Ratings on Google?
You can find your Google Seller Ratings by modifying this URL: https://www.google.com/shopping/ratings/account/lookup?q={yoursite}, replacing {yoursite} with your homepage URL.
Do Google Reviews Impact PPC?
Yes, Google reviews, including Seller Ratings, can impact your PPC campaigns by influencing your Quality Score, click-through rates, and ad relevance.
Can I Remove or Hide Negative Seller Ratings?
No, you cannot remove or hide negative seller ratings. However, you can respond to them and use the feedback to improve your service.
How Long Does it Take for Seller Ratings to Appear on Google?
It typically takes around six weeks (average indexing time) for Seller Ratings to appear on Google once you meet the criteria.
Can I Dispute or Report Inaccurate Seller Ratings?
Yes, you can contact Google support to dispute or report inaccurate seller ratings.
How Do Google Seller Ratings Impact My Search Engine Rankings?
While Google Seller Ratings don’t directly impact your search engine rankings, they can improve your ad’s click-through rate, indirectly influencing your SEO.
Can I Request Customers to Leave Reviews Specifically for Seller Ratings?
Yes, you can encourage your customers to leave reviews contributing to your Google Seller Ratings. However, it’s important to note that Google Seller Ratings are aggregated from various review sources, including Google Customer Reviews and certain independent review websites that Google trust.
How Do I Enable Google Seller Ratings?
Google Seller Ratings are automatically enabled once you meet Google’s criteria. You don’t need to enable them manually.
How Much Do Seller Ratings Cost?
Seller ratings are free. If a user clicks on your ad with seller ratings, the usual cost-per-click (CPC) applies. If you prefer not to have seller ratings appear with your ads, you can always disable them.
How Do I Start Collecting Reviews?
You can start collecting reviews by encouraging your customers to leave feedback after their purchase. You can do this through follow-up emails, on your website, or your social media platforms. You can also send Google review links via SMS to boost your review collection.
