User Review Exchanges

[CHR]

Just got a 'heads up' that a story about user review exchanges in Google Maps between businesses owners is going to hit the news in the near future. (It is not centered around florists, but it does involve a group of business owners all in the same category.)

Back when the review brigade was first started, I strongly recommended against 'quid pro quo' reviews - and still do. Review good business because they're good - and you've had first hand experience with their services. Spread the love around, too.

Do Not: Review your own site
Do Not: Review your competitors
Do Not: Request reviews of your own site in this forum. Those posts will be deleted on sight.
Do Not: Quickly lash out in anger at a florist that blew an order. We all make mistakes from time to time so the more important story is how a problem is/was handled. Before you type, ask yourself if a bit of patience would serve you, the other florist and consumers better.

Do: Remember that all your reviews will be displayed under your profile on each site so if you write the same thing over & over, it will appear 'canned'. Your login may also indicate your real identity so be careful about writing negative stuff. You know what they say about paybacks...

Effect: Raised awareness of good local florists. A small inoculation against scummy blackhat reviewers. Good Karma.

Nests of review exchanges are easy to spot - both for humans and for SEs - so make sure your reviews and your variations of businesses look real.

G Maps is going to be all over this story so make sure you don't jeopardize your own reputation or your own reviews.