Presto! Google Kills Your Good Reviews, Dealers Stunned by Purge, Get No Details

Replies to This ADM Discussion

Permalink Reply by Peter M. Humleker on September 17, 2012 at 9:01am

Tricking the system will only get you busted.  It's illegal to post fake reviews.  Our system

post real reviews from the actual dealers customers.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Leslie on September 17, 2012 at 9:55am

"Our system post real reviews from the actual dealers customers."

Peter,

I don't want to put words in your mouth, are you saying that you post on behalf of the consumer?

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Permalink Reply by Peter M. Humleker on September 17, 2012 at 10:24am

That is one way that we do it and yes it is 100% customer approved.  In other words

we get permission to do this directly from the customer.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Leslie on September 17, 2012 at 11:08am

...and it is 100% FORBIDDEN by the 3rd party sites hosting those reviews!

1. Google's TOS strictly prohibits what you are doing: "Don’t post reviews on behalf of others or misrepresent your identity or affiliation with the place you are reviewing." (This is clearly stated under a bullet point entitled "Conflict of Interest")
2. Many people much smarter than I am believe this is one of the chief reasons WHY Google's algorithm wiped out dealer's review content. Read Mike Blumethal's post and corresponding comments from June 30th. I'm going to be blunt, the service you are offering IS one of the things that caused the mess this post is about!
3. I'm not trying to be a jerk Peter, but you mentioned the illegality of posting "fake reviews" and seem to have missed the illegality of posting compensated endorsements without a proper disclosure statement. I'm no lawyer, but you may want to take a look at § 255.1 part (d.). You need to stop offering account creation and posting services "on behalf" of a consumer to dealers. You are exposing them to a potential FTC fine in excess of $25,000.

Dealers, YOUR reputation is YOURS to promote and YOURS to preserve! There are simply no shortcuts worth taking when it comes to YOUR reputation.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn Case on September 20, 2012 at 9:07am

Since Google dropped so many reviews dealers are trying to load their "baskets" with more reviews/eggs. I have been working with a few dealers recently that want to perserve to ability to request reviews at time of sale or service. I have found several ways around their problems.

If you can get the user to use their phone without taking the time to download the Google Local app, you will make their decision to review easier. Since it is on their phone, it's unlikely it will be on your dealer's wifi. Unlike, your computers and tablets, their mobile device will be on their network resulting in a different ip.

You will notice on iPhones that the mobile site for Google Local has removed the "Leave a Review" button. Unfortunately, you can't force the site to open as a direct link. You must access it through a precise search and use that direct link. I have found the best way to get the customer there is to use a QR code or text to receive solution.

There is a work around for this that I have been implementing for dealers. If you need help moving to a solution like this feel free to contact me. 703.593.1343

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