Local Search Engine Optimization - Fake Reviews
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If you're a business owner, you have most likely done this. If you have not, the question is - why not?
Yes, there is ethics on the line; just think about the furor once seen when large corporations tried to use fake blogs to drum up interest and publicity. But apart from that, fake reviewing is a regular business practice. Let's not call names, but many interactive agencies offer "online reputation management," which is nothing less than fake reviews, fake votes, fake criticism and fake forum conversations.
It makes sense as a business owner to write yourself realistic fake reviews for local and global listings, because your big competitors are doing it on an industrial scale. Tropical SEO did a good post on how to do fake reviews and appear natural. Check it out. Let's summarize his ideas.
If you're going to do fake reviews, write naturally, as if you're a regular guy/girl who is giving unbiased advice.
Avoid exclamation marks, names of managers and super raving feedback, i.e. "I love it!!" "it is the best place on the planet earth"
Don't give perfect scores, like 10/10 or 5/5
Mix positives with negatives. Many people are naturally looking for negatives, because all is not perfect. Pointing out the negatives and then stating positive looks more truthful and persuasive.
Here are two great examples to help you visualize how to write good fake reviews, from Tropical SEO:
Bad
Mai Thai is my favorite Thai restaurant in Houston! Everything from the chicken pad thai, to the hot and sour soup, to the chef's specialty "Chicken Curry No Hurry" is absolutely delicious! The decor is wonderful, there are authentic Thai paintings on the wall. I go there at least twice a week, and the owner, Lewis, always says Hi to me and we chat pleasantly for a while. It is a great place to go for a business lunch or even a Friday night date!! Oh, and don't forget to try the green tea ice cream!!!!! 10/10
Good
Mai Thai is a pretty decent Thai restaurant for the price. I've tried the Pad Thai (good) and the hot and sour soup (average). The lunch crowd is busy but they get you seated fairly quickly. 8/10
Be aware that local sites and search engines are well aware of fake reviews, so giving many reviews from one city, or worse, one IP address, can set off red flags. Be careful.
Come back for the second part of this tutorial on local search engine optimization, where we cover different factors that impact local search rankings.
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