Google vs Facebook Reviews: Which is Best for Your Business?
Where would you like your brand reviews to be published? Would it be Google, the world’s largest search engine, or Facebook, the world’s largest social media?
Both Google and Facebook have directed their massive user base towards their respective review platforms. This gave both of these platforms a great kickstart, resulting in them being two of the largest review platforms around the globe.
But which one of the two is better? Which one of the two has more authentic reviews? Which one of two is better for a business?
Let’s find out.
How Online Reviews Affect Your Business?
Customer reviews examples are crucial as they build trust, offer social proof, and influence purchasing decisions. They provide authentic insights into a product or service, aiding prospective buyers. Positive reviews enhance credibility, while negative ones offer opportunities for improvement, shaping a business’s reputation and influencing consumer choices.
Here are some stats to justify-
- 72% of consumers won’t take action until they’ve read reviews. (Testimonial Engine)
- Products with five reviews are 270% more likely to be purchased than products with no reviews. (Spiegel Research Center)
- 87% of consumers read reviews to search for local services. (Bright local)
Differences Between Google Reviews and Facebook Reviews
Google Reviews and Facebook reviews are arguably two of the largest review platforms over the internet in terms of users and number of reviews. In a time when 99.9% of customers check online reviews before making a purchase, the importance of these platforms has increased significantly.
Therefore we have created a detailed comparison between two of the largest review sites. Understanding this comparison might help you choose which one is best for your business.
| Google Reviews | Facebook Reviews |
| The platform over which Google Reviews are posted is the Google Business Profile of a brand. | The platform on which Facebook reviews are posted is Facebook. |
| The user base of Google Reviews primarily includes Google users. | The user base of Facebook reviews are the ones using Facebook social media. |
| Google Reviews can be seen on Google search engines and Google Maps. | Facebook reviews are seen on the business page of the brand. |
| Reviews posted on Google Reviews heavily affect local SEO. | Facebook reviews don’t directly impact Google rankings. |
| Google Reviews has less friend-centric influence. | Facebook Reviews are highly influenced by social connection. |
| Larger reviews per business ratio | Facebook Reviews have a lower reviews per business ratio as compared to Google Reviews. |
| Google Reviews have a strong online presence as they are integrated with Google maps | In-app reviews on mobile make a slightly weaker online presence. |
| Google Review can also be used on Google Ads. | The integration of Facebook reviews to Facebook ads is very limited. |
| Demographic Targeting options on Google Review are very limited | Facebook Reviews have more precise options for demographic targeting. |
Google Reviews
Google Reviews is an online review platform powered by Google that allows users to share their experience after they use a service.
Google Reviews also has a huge impact on a brand’s ranking. Google takes the number of reviews and types of ratings into account while deciding how high the business should rank. It is important for a brand to know how to respond to Google Reviews to ensure a better online image.
Why are Google Reviews Crucial for Small Businesses?
Following are some of the major points why Google Reviews are important for a business.
Trust and Credibility: Positive reviews on Google can help increase the credibility of a brand as customers see that others had a good experience. When a buyer does not have much information about the product or service, they usually tend to look at how others feel about the same.
Google Map Integration: Google Reviews are also integrated with Google Maps. This means that when a user searches for a business on Google Maps to reach there, they can also see the reviews. If the business has good reviews under its name, then it might create a good impression when a person searches for its location.
Integration with Google My Business: Brands can use their Google Business Profile to manage their Google Reviews. They can use various tools provided by Google Business Profile to engage with customers, get review badges, respond quickly etc. A brand can also embed Google Reviews on its website to enhance its online reputation.
Customer Convenience: Customers can see Google Reviews about a service with just a Google search. This makes accessing Google Reviews highly convenient as compared to other platforms.
Facebook Reviews
Facebook Reviews is a review platform introduced by Facebook, allowing users to leave feedback and rate brands as per their experience. These reviews can be seen on the Facebook business page of a brand.
Just like Google, Facebook also uses a 5-star rating system and allows users to add extra context by adding detailed reviews. Facebook also allows brands to interact with its customers by responding to the people who left a review.
Facebook reviews also have an important role to play in managing brand reputation. Having positive reviews over there can affect the brand’s reputation in a good way. Brands can also embed Facebook Reviews on any website to influence the decision of a potential customer.
Why are Facebook Reviews Crucial for Small Businesses?
Social Media Integration: Facebook reviews are integrated with the business page of a brand allowing them to share positive reviews. Sharing reviews on social media gets much easier with Facebook reviews as it does not require any additional widgets.
Community Building: Facebook reviews provide an opportunity for a brand to create a sense of community by engaging on social media. Responding to customer reviews or comments fosters a better relationship and leads to brand loyalty.
Local Business Promotion: Facebook is known to promote a business in the area it serves based on its location and reviews. This helps a brand drive more traffic to its business page and eventually increases opportunity.
Influence From Friends: People can see what brands or services are reviewed by their friends, on Facebook. Watching reviews posted on a review platform is good but watching someone they know reviewing positively can largely influence the buyer’s decision.
The Verdict – Which One Wins?
The choice between Facebook Reviews and Google Reviews depends on your specific business objectives and target audience. Both platforms offer unique advantages.
Google Reviews are particularly crucial for local businesses, as they have a direct impact on local search rankings. They are visible in Google search results and maps, enhancing discoverability. Additionally, the Google user base is massive, with a strong focus on users actively searching for products or services.
On the other hand, Facebook Reviews leverage social connections and community building. They often carry more weight with users who trust recommendations from friends and connections. Facebook has a broader international reach and supports multimedia content, enhancing engagement.
How Businesses Can Incorporate Reviews in Marketing?
Following are some of the ways brands can use Reviews for Marketing, be it Google or Facebook.
Featuring reviews on Marketing Fronts
Brands can display positive reviews including high appreciation of their service on various marketing fronts.
Brands can post the reviews on social media or display it on their homepage to enhance brand reputation. This can capture the attention of a potential buyer and might increase the conversion rate as well.
Email Marketing
Including snippets of a brand’s rating and positive reviews from the customers in promotional emails can be an effective marketing technique. Sharing a customer’s positive experiences can have a big influence on the decision-making of a potential customer while they are reading an email.
Testimonial videos
When a customer seems extremely satisfied with their review, brands can also ask them to create a testimonial video. The impact of a visual review by a customer has much more impact than the review written in text.
Brands can share these videos on social media, their YouTube channel, their website, etc. Adding YouTube video content on the homepage also increases time spent by a customer on your website.
