Google vs. Facebook: Which One is Better for Small Businesses Reviews?
In today’s digital age, online reviews play a pivotal role in shaping the reputation and credibility of businesses, especially small businesses.
With platforms like Google and Facebook offering review features, the question arises: which platform is more beneficial for small businesses?
Let’s dive into the statistics and insights to find out.
The Power of Online Reviews
Online reviews have a significant impact on consumer behavior.
A staggering 83% of buyers claim they no longer trust traditional advertising, but they do trust recommendations from users online.
Moreover, 72% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations from real people.
Google vs. Facebook Reviews
The dominant player in the online review space for several years has been Yelp, however, Google and Facebook have emerged as formidable competitors.
First, let’s take a look at Yelp, the original review site, so we can see how Google & Facebook are different.
Unfortunately, Yelp discourages businesses from asking for reviews, and they also don’t post all the reviews a business receives.
Their algorithm determines which reviews appear, favoring users with more activity on their platform, but this can be a disadvantage for small businesses.
So, how do Google and Facebook compare?
- Google Reviews, fortunately, are more accessible than Yelp. Customers can easily write a review directly from the search engine.
What’s more, Google doesn’t have as stringent stipulations as Yelp, and their algorithm is adept at predicting “fake” reviews.
A study by BrightLocal showed that 87% of people used Google to research local businesses in 2022, up from 81% in 2021.
Given Google’s dominance in the online space, it’s predicted that Google reviews will eventually surpass Yelp reviews. - Facebook Reviews offer a unique advantage. According to a Vocus study, 68% of consumers visit social networking sites to read product reviews.
Facebook reviews are also integrated into the Google platform, offering a two-for-one benefit.
A survey by Review Trackers revealed that users prefer to leave reviews on Facebook over Yelp and Google.
However, BrightLocal’s study found the percentage of consumers using Facebook for business reviews has decreased for the second year running, sitting at 46% in 2022.
The Verdict: Which Review Site to Use
While both platforms – Google and Facebook – have their merits and impact SEO and online presence, which one will provide your business with the most leverage?
For larger companies, garnering reviews on a variety of different review sites may be more feasible.
However, for small businesses making strategic decisions, starting with Facebook is recommended. Facebook reviews not only cater to a vast audience but also feed into Google’s platform.
For this to work, just make sure that your business details are exactly the same on both your Facebook page and your Google Business Profile – this helps Google identify that the two are linked.
In conclusion, while all platforms offer value, for small businesses looking to maximize their online presence and credibility, focusing on Facebook reviews, followed by Google, is a strategic move.
Yelp, with its unique challenges, can be integrated into the review strategy along with other review sites as your business scales.
Aricle by
Josiah Jones
Josiah is the founder and creative director of AZ Web Design Studios, creating websites and marketing strategies for small businesses and entrepreneurs around the world.
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