Question: “How fast should I reply to a Google review?”
Answer: Whether it’s a positive review or a negative review, respond ASAP – ideally within 24 hours.
Well, that was easy. But if you want to jump into the details, we’ve got you covered…
Receiving positive Google reviews and managing all online reviews is essential for a business’s success.
Part of review management involves responding to reviews which, as all businesses owners know, can be time-consuming.
So just how quickly should you be responding?
The short answer is that you should aim to respond to Google reviews as quickly as possible.
Replying within 48 hours is acceptable, but replying within 24 hours is the most ideal time frame.
It’s worth remembering that all online reviews are valuable business feedback that customers have put in their time and effort to post.
When looked at in that regard, it’s simply good courtesy to reply to your customers’ reviews as soon as you can.
Still, there are other factors worth considering, such as the urgency of negative reviews and how your business responds to all its online reviews.
Responding To Negative Google Reviews
Is responding to negative reviews more urgent than responding to positive reviews?
Again, you should reply to all Google reviews, good or bad, as soon as possible.
Whether you reply to every review you receive is up to you, but what your business should never do is leave negative reviews unacknowledged.
Negative Google reviews or negative feedback means your business hasn’t delivered, which also means that your job to satisfy a paying customer isn’t done, and addressing negative feedback is crucial.
As a result, it can be argued that responding to negative reviews should be prioritized with more urgency.
In any case, negative reviews should ideally be responded to within 24 hours at the latest.
Responding To Positive Google Reviews
Congrats – you’re getting Google reviews… and positive reviews at that!
While it doesn’t have to be said that a positive Google review means a happy customer who is satisfied with the product/service you provided, there is an important question to be asked here:
Since my business has already fulfilled its side of the bargain, do I need to respond to positive reviews?
It’s not uncommon for businesses to not respond to positive reviews.
Overall, there is nothing wrong with that—and not all customers are expecting a response—but there are several benefits that come with replying to positive reviews.
Responding to positive feedback shows appreciation. For the customer who posted the review, it can lead to loyalty and a reminder of their positive experience, which can help turn new customers into repeat customers and increase customer retention.
Crafting a thoughtful positive review response can lead to customer loyalty and show potential customers that you value their opinions.
For potential customers reading your responses, it shows customer care that can persuade them to trust and choose your business.
Whether you prioritize negative reviews and responding to customer complaints or not, you should try to aim to respond to positive reviews within at least 48 hours.
It’s Not Just About Responding Quickly, But How You Respond
A business can respond to all its reviews in record time, but if those responses appear rushed, insincere, or robotic, it can actually work against a business.
Studies show that 89% of customers read replies to reviews. So, responses to Google reviews should not only be timely, but sincere.
This also means that copying and pasting your replies should be avoided – at least if you want your business to stand out from competitors.
How you respond matters, so tone of voice is important to take into account whenever you reply to a customer review, whether it’s a positive review response or you’re replying to negative online reviews.
When your responses are read by reviewers and prospective customers, your business should always come across as friendly yet professional.
Review responses do not have to be long or elaborate.
Responding to all of your online reviews, no matter whether the review is positive or negative, should ultimately be sincere to showcase that your business values both its customers and the feedback it receives.
How To Respond To A Negative Review
Since most customers read responses, it’s worth taking a look at how to respond to negative Google reviews.
It’s natural to see a negative review and feel disappointed and frustrated, so responding should always be carried out with a level head.
As a golden rule, your responses to negative reviews should never be defensive or disapproving of a customer’s opinion. In fact, responding in this manner is the fast route to ruining your reputation.
No matter how potentially damaging the review might be, your response needs to be polite and apologetic.
And like all review responses, you should still express appreciation for the feedback the customer took their time to provide.
It’s also important that your response includes a solution to the customer’s problem (if possible) and/or the assurance that your business has taken the customer feedback on board and aims to improve.
Does Replying To Google Reviews Help SEO?
Last but not least, if you have ever wondered whether replying to Google reviews helps SEO, the simple answer is yes.
In fact, reviews dominate local SEO by playing a critical role in Google’s ranking algorithms for local search results. Replying to reviews on your Google Business Profile provides an notable bump in SEO.
Google themselves say that responding to reviews will improve a business’s local search rankings.
This, in turn, means that you should actively respond to as many of your Google reviews as possible – both negative and positive.
By doing so, Google will recognize your efforts and increase your business’s visibility on search engine results pages.
This will make your business more discoverable, with the added potential to outrank your competitors.
Needless to say, the more Google reviews you receive, the more you can respond to take advantage of these benefits – not only when it comes to SEO, but in significantly improving your online reputation and increasing trust with future customers.
Reap The Benefits By Getting More Google Reviews
Ultimately, your business should aim to respond to Google reviews as quickly as possible.
Negative Google reviews especially should be responded to within 24 hours.
Moreover, you should be actively responding to all the customer reviews you receive on Google since responding will not only improve your online reputation, but boost your business’s local search rankings on Google.
And crafting thoughtful Google review responses (versus generic responses) can significantly improve your online reputation.
Responding to reviews also demonstrates your commitment to excellent customer service, which can attract more customers.
So we know that responding to your Google reviews as soon as you can is important. But for most businesses there’s a bigger issue at play:
How do you get more Google reviews?
Running a business is already hard work without throwing review management into the mix.
And even harder than responding to reviews is requesting reviews from your customers – all of them – which you need to do to get more reviews.
In an ideal world this would be done automatically so you can focus on running your business. And that’s exactly why ReputationStacker was created.
It’s the only tool you’ll ever need to help your business get more reviews on every major review site, and respond to & manage them without you having to lift a finger.
How does it work? Take a look and see how easy it is for your business to get more Google reviews.
FAQs about How Quickly You Should Respond to Google Reviews
How quickly should I respond to a positive Google review?
It’s best to respond to a positive Google review within 24 to 48 hours. Timely responses show appreciation for the kind words and reinforce the positive experience for prospective customers. Quick replies also help keep your business’s Google reviews up-to-date and engaging.
Why is it important to respond quickly to positive reviews on Google?
Responding quickly to a positive review on Google demonstrates that you value customer feedback and care about your clients’ experiences. It strengthens your business’s reputation, encourages more positive reviews, and highlights your commitment to good customer service.
What is the ideal response time for addressing positive feedback on Google?
The ideal response time for addressing positive feedback on Google is within 24 to 48 hours. This promptness ensures that your response is timely and shows appreciation for the customer’s positive review, helping to build strong relationships with repeat customers and attract new ones.
How should a business owner handle responding to a glowing review?
A business owner should respond to glowing feedback with gratitude and personalization. A detailed response that acknowledges the specific kind words and provides a personal touch can enhance the customer’s experience and demonstrate your business’s core values.
What are some good review response examples for positive Google reviews?
Positive review response examples include acknowledging the customer’s specific feedback, thanking them for their kind words, and mentioning how their review positively impacts the business. For instance: “Thank you for your glowing feedback, [Customer Name]! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great experience with us. Your positive review means a lot to our team.”
How can responding to positive reviews on Google benefit my business?
Responding to positive reviews on Google can benefit your business by reinforcing your brand’s positive image, increasing customer loyalty, and encouraging new customers. It also shows that you value feedback, which can enhance your business’s overall reputation and attract more positive reviews. Equally important, responding to Google reviews is a natural way to add relevant keywords to your Google Business Profile, which can help boost your ranking in local search.
What should I include in a good review response to a positive review?
In a review response to a positive review, include a thank you, acknowledgment of the specific feedback, and a mention of how much you appreciate their support. Personal touches and reflecting your business’s core values can make the response more engaging and meaningful.
How can I make sure my responses to positive reviews are professional and effective?
Ensure your responses to positive reviews are professional by maintaining a courteous tone, being concise, and addressing the feedback directly. Including personalized elements and showing genuine appreciation can make your responses more effective and resonate well with current and potential customers.
Should I respond to every positive Google review I receive?
Yes, responding to every positive Google review is a good practice. It shows that you value each customer’s feedback and helps build a positive relationship. Consistent responses also contribute to your business’s Google reviews being up-to-date and reflective of your commitment to customer service.
How does responding quickly to positive Google reviews impact customer perceptions?
Responding quickly to positive Google reviews positively impacts customer perceptions by demonstrating that you are engaged and appreciative. It reinforces the customer’s experience, reflects well on your business’s values, and helps build trust and loyalty among current customers and new customers.
