Skip to content
POWER100
Join Free
Content

Reviews, Photos, and Posts: What Actually Moves the Needle in Local Search

⏱️ 33:52 🎤 Meredith Medlin, Caitlyn Noble
AUDIO EPISODE
Reviews, Photos, and Posts: What Actually Moves the Needle in Local Search
0:00
0:00

Chapters

Click to jump to section

  • 0:55
    Why Reviews, Photos, Posts?
    Reviews, photos, and posts are grouped because they all serve the same purpose for the algorithm: to signal a business's trustworthiness, authenticity, and activity.
  • 0:38
    Understanding Review Velocity
    Review velocity, or the rate of new reviews, is crucial, with top-performing contractors converting 30-50% of jobs into reviews, far exceeding the average 5%.
  • 0:59
    Timing & Platform Diversity
    Request reviews within 24 hours of job completion via text for high open rates, and diversify review platforms beyond Google to include Yelp, Facebook, and industry-specific sites.
  • 0:08
    Keywords & Review Responses
    Keywords in reviews boost local SEO by mentioning specific services and locations, and detailed responses to reviews enhance algorithm performance and customer experience.
  • 1:45
    Review Gating & Star Ratings
    Review gating is explicitly prohibited by Google and can lead to profile suspension, and while high star ratings are good, a 4.6 with high volume is more credible than a curated 5.0.
  • 0:40
    Photo Categories & Mix
    Utilize specific photo categories on Google Business Profile to cater to different homeowner intents, with 'at work' and 'finished product' photos being the most effective for conversion.
  • 0:04
    Before/After & Geotagging
    Before and after photos are the most powerful visual proof for homeowners, and geotagged photos from job sites reinforce service areas to Google.
  • 0:37
    Stock Photos & Video Importance
    Stock photos hurt trust and ranking; real job site photos are always better, and short videos are becoming increasingly important on GBP for early adopters.
  • 0:44
    Post Types & Cadence
    There are four main post types on Google Business Profile (What's New, Events, Offers, Products), with 'Product' posts being permanent and 'What's New' requiring a weekly cadence for fresh signals.
  • 0:13
    Prioritizing Actions
    Prioritize improving review velocity, then consistent job site photo uploads, and finally regular posting to achieve local search dominance.

Speakers

M
Meredith Medlin
Host
C
Caitlyn Noble
Host

Key Takeaways

✦

Increase your review velocity to 30-50% of jobs by requesting reviews via text within 24 hours of job completion.

✦

Diversify your review platforms beyond Google to include Yelp, Facebook, and industry-specific sites like Houzz or GuildQuality.

✦

Prompt customers for keyword-rich reviews by asking them to mention specific services, products, and locations.

✦

Categorize your Google Business Profile photos effectively, prioritizing 'at work' and 'finished product' photos, and use geotagged images.

✦

Publish product posts for your main services on GBP as they are permanent and boost visibility for those offerings.

✦

Maintain a weekly cadence for 'What's New' posts on GBP, repurposing content from other channels like Facebook and Instagram.

✦

Avoid review gating and using stock photos, as both practices can harm your Google Business Profile and credibility.

Want the full experience?

Join Power100 for full access to every episode, AI-powered insights, personalized coaching, and a network of industry leaders.

Join Power100 →