[NEW] Google Reviews Update

Google just changed how reviews work.

And if you're not paying attention, it could cost you.

Here's the deal:

Google now lets anyone leave a review using a fake name and a random profile picture.

They call it "anonymous reviews."

The person still needs a Google account - Google knows who they are on the backend. But publicly? Their name and face are hidden.

What this means for your business:

1. More reviews are coming

People who were too shy, too private, or too awkward to leave a review before? They don't have that excuse anymore.

This is especially true if you work in industries where customers don't want to publicly say they hired you - think pest control, plumbing emergencies, mold remediation. Stuff people don't brag about.

More anonymity = more people willing to hit that 5-star button.

2. More negative reviews are coming too

Here's the flip side.

People who had a bad experience but didn't want their name attached to it? Now they will leave that 1-star review. Count on it.

Anonymity removes hesitation. You're going to see more honest — and sometimes brutal - feedback.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. It tells you where to fix things. But you need to be ready for it.

3. Competitors can hide behind it

This is the one that should worry you.

A shady competitor could leave fake negative reviews under an anonymous profile, and you'd never know who did it. No real name. No real photo. Just a nickname and a 1-star rating.

You need to monitor your reviews more closely than ever. Flag anything suspicious immediately.

What to do right now:

→ Tell your happy customers they can leave a review anonymously. Most people don't know this option exists. Mention it in your follow-up texts and emails.

→ Check your Google reviews weekly. Not monthly. Weekly. Look for patterns — sudden spikes in negative reviews, vague complaints, or reviews that don't match any real job you did.

→ Keep asking for reviews. The businesses with the most reviews and the highest velocity still win in the local pack. That hasn't changed. If anything, anonymous reviews make it easier to build volume faster.

This update is actually a huge opportunity if you play it right. More of your customers will leave reviews. Your review count goes up. Your rankings improve.

Just stay on top of it.

Love you,

Andy

P.S. If you want my team's eyes on your marketing, you can book a free call here: schedule now