The stars you see alongside some businesses when you make a Google search stem from Google's business reviews. Google doesn't rate or evaluate businesses itself, but relies on customers to do the work. Google's Product Search pages for online shopping also offer starred reviews of items such as toys, video games, and cameras, among others.
Reviewing
- To give a business a star review, search for it on Google. When it comes up, click on the Place Page link or the list of existing reviews. If you have a Google account, sign in, then write a review of the business, assigning it what you consider the appropriate number of stars. Reviews must be based on first-hand experience, and without a conflict of interest. Reviewing the business you work for, or that your brother manages, may lead to Google removing the review and the rating.
Product Search
- Google's Product Search service offers users a way to find the best price for the items they shop for. If you search for an item, Google offers reviews, compares prices and links to websites that sell the product in question. Users have the option to rate the products they buy, using the one-to-five star system. In addition to posting individual reviews, Google posts a cumulative rating based on customer reviews and evaluations from third-party websites.
Promotion
- Businesses with favorable ratings naturally want to let as many people know as possible. Google's AdWords advertising program comes with extensions that allow advertisers to post added information in their ads, such as product images, phone numbers, store addresses and also their aggregate Product Search rating. This requires the company have a Google Merchant Account so that it can provide information for Product Searches. Google won't post an aggregate star rating until it receives individual ratings from at least 30 customers.
Problems
- If Google Product Search ratings don't appear immediately, it may be because there's a slight time lag. Google doesn't post them in real time. If you believe a buyer's review is inaccurate, you will have to work through the hosting site to request a change, as you cannot respond directly through Product Search. If you see a review of your business in Google Places that you disagree with, Google recommends you contact the poster and try to resolve the issue: It won't cancel a review just because you think it's unfair.