Google star ratings are a consumer-powered grading system that allows users to see how well a business is performing based on a score of one to five stars. These star ratings can be found on various Google search results properties, including maps, standard search listings, ads, and more. The rating is an average of all the review ratings that have been published on Google, and users are asked to rate a business based on specific aspects of their experience. Different types of star ratings are available for different search properties, and businesses can enhance their organic search results by adding schema markup to their website. Paid ads can display star ratings through seller ratings, and local businesses can have star ratings displayed on local search results by having a Google Business Profile and receiving customer reviews. Additionally, star ratings can also appear in rich results for specific content types.
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Google star ratings
When you search for a business on Google, one of the first things you may notice is its star rating. These star ratings are a consumer-powered grading system that gives you an idea of how good a business is based on a score of one to five stars. They are an important tool for both consumers and businesses to make informed decisions and provide feedback.
Display on various Google search results properties
Google star ratings can appear on various search results properties, ensuring that you have access to this valuable information no matter where you are searching. These properties include maps, standard blue link search listings, ads, rich results, local pack results, third-party review sites, and app store results. This wide range of visibility ensures that you can easily find star ratings across different platforms and contexts.
Based on an average of all review ratings
The star rating for a business is based on an average of all the review ratings that have been published on Google. This means that when you see a star rating, it is a representation of the overall sentiment of the customers who have left reviews for that business. The average score is calculated by taking into account all the ratings provided by users.
Users rate based on specific aspects of customer experience
To get an accurate and comprehensive view of a business, users are asked to rate it based on specific aspects of their customer experience. This includes factors such as service quality, product satisfaction, and overall customer service. By rating these specific aspects, users can provide valuable feedback to both the business and other potential customers.
Different types of star ratings for different search properties
Google understands that different search properties require different types of star ratings. For example, organic search listings, paid ads, local pack results, rich snippets, and app store results all have their own unique star rating system. This ensures that you receive the most relevant and accurate information depending on where you are searching and what you are looking for.
Display of star ratings
Now that you understand how star ratings are calculated and what they represent, let’s dive into how these ratings are displayed across various Google search properties.
Appear on maps
When searching for businesses on Google Maps, star ratings are prominently displayed for each listing. This allows you to quickly assess the quality of a business and make informed decisions when choosing where to go or which service to use. You can easily spot businesses with high ratings and positive reviews.
Appear on standard blue link search listings
When you perform a standard search on Google, the search results page presents you with a list of blue link listings. These listings also display star ratings for businesses when available. This feature allows you to see the ratings of different businesses without having to visit their individual websites. It provides a quick overview of the quality of each business right there in the search results.
Appear on ads
If you come across an ad while searching on Google, you may notice that star ratings can also be displayed alongside the ad. These star ratings provide valuable information about the business and can help you make a decision about whether or not to click on the ad. They serve as a trust signal and can add credibility to the business being advertised.
Appear on rich results
Rich results are enhanced search results that provide additional information such as images, reviews, and ratings. When a business has a high star rating, this rating can be displayed in the rich result snippet, giving you a quick glimpse into the reputation of the business. This can be particularly helpful when comparing multiple options and trying to make a decision.
Appear on local pack results
Local pack results are a specific type of search result that appears when you search for businesses or services in a particular location. These results typically display a map and a list of businesses related to your search. Each business in the local pack results is accompanied by its star rating, allowing you to quickly assess the overall reputation of each business in the list.
Appear on third-party review sites
In addition to being displayed on Google’s own search properties, star ratings can also appear on third-party review sites. These sites aggregate reviews from various sources, including Google, and provide a comprehensive overview of a business’s reputation. Seeing star ratings on these sites can help you gather more information and make a well-informed decision.
Appear on app store results
If you are searching for apps on Google, star ratings can also be displayed in the app store results. This allows you to see the average rating of the app and helps you determine whether it meets your expectations and has been well-received by other users. App store ratings can guide you in choosing the most reputable and reliable apps.
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Calculation of star rating
Now that you know where star ratings appear, let’s dive into how these ratings are calculated.
Based on average of all review ratings
The star rating for a business is calculated based on the average of all the review ratings that have been published on Google. This means that all the feedback left by users contributes to the overall rating. The more reviews a business has, the more accurate the star rating becomes because it represents a larger sample of customer experiences.
Feedback from users determines the average score
To calculate the average score, Google takes into account the feedback provided by users. This feedback is based on specific aspects of the customer experience, such as service quality, product satisfaction, and overall customer service. By considering these specific aspects, Google ensures that the star rating reflects the overall sentiment of the customers who have interacted with the business.
Combination of feedback from specific aspects of customer experience
The average score is determined by combining the feedback from users on different aspects of the customer experience. This allows for a more nuanced understanding of the business and ensures that multiple factors are considered when calculating the star rating. By taking into account these specific aspects, Google aims to provide a comprehensive representation of the business’s overall quality.
Types of star ratings
Now that you understand how star ratings are calculated, let’s explore the different types of star ratings that exist for different search properties.
Organic search listings
When searching for businesses or services on Google, you may come across organic search listings. These listings include websites that have been ranked by Google’s algorithm based on their relevance to your search query. These organic search listings can also display star ratings, providing you with additional information about the reputation of the business.
Paid ads
In addition to organic search listings, Google also displays paid ads in search results. These ads are placed at the top or bottom of the search results page and are identified with a small “Ad” label. Paid ads can also include star ratings, which serve as a trust signal and can help you make a decision about whether or not to click on the ad.
Local pack results
Local pack results appear when you search for businesses or services in a specific location. These results display a map and a list of businesses that are relevant to your search query. Each business in the local pack results is accompanied by its star rating, allowing you to quickly assess the reputation of each business in the list and make an informed choice.
Rich snippets
Rich snippets are enhanced search results that provide additional information about a business or website. These snippets can include images, reviews, ratings, and other relevant data. When a business has a high star rating, this rating can be displayed in the rich snippet, giving you a quick overview of the business’s reputation without having to visit its website.
App store results
If you are searching for apps on Google, you will also come across app store results. These results display apps that are relevant to your search query and can include star ratings. Seeing the star rating of an app can help you determine whether it meets your expectations and has been well-received by other users, making it easier for you to choose the most reputable and reliable apps.
Obtaining star ratings on organic search results
Now that you know the different types of star ratings that exist, let’s explore how businesses can obtain star ratings on organic search results.
Add schema markup to the website
To get star ratings on organic search results, businesses can add schema markup to their websites. Schema markup is a form of structured data that provides information about a website’s content to search engines. By adding relevant schema markup, businesses can provide Google with the necessary information to display star ratings in organic search listings. This markup helps Google understand the context of the website and ensures that the star ratings are displayed accurately.
Star ratings in paid ads
Paid ads can also display star ratings, providing additional information to potential customers.
Display through seller ratings
Star ratings in paid ads are typically displayed through seller ratings. Seller ratings are an aggregate score that represents the overall customer satisfaction with a business. To be eligible for seller ratings, businesses must meet certain criteria, including having at least 100 reviews in the last 12 months and a minimum rating of 3.5. Meeting these criteria ensures that the displayed star rating is a reliable representation of the business’s reputation.
Star ratings for local businesses
Local businesses can have star ratings displayed on local search results, helping them attract more customers.
Have a Google Business Profile
To have star ratings displayed in local search results, local businesses must have a Google Business Profile. A Google Business Profile allows businesses to manage their online presence on Google and provide information such as contact details, opening hours, and customer reviews. By having a Google Business Profile, local businesses can ensure that their star ratings are displayed to potential customers who are searching for businesses in their area.
Receive customer reviews
To obtain star ratings for local search results, local businesses must also actively encourage their customers to leave reviews. Customer reviews play a crucial role in determining the star rating of a business. By providing a great customer experience and encouraging customers to share their feedback, businesses can improve their star rating and attract more customers.
Star ratings in rich results
Rich results provide additional information about a business or website, including star ratings.
Specific content types, such as recipes
Star ratings can appear in rich results for specific types of content, such as recipes. When searching for recipes on Google, you may come across rich results that include star ratings for different recipes. This allows you to quickly assess the quality of a recipe based on the experiences of other users. These star ratings can help you choose the most reputable and reliable recipes.
In conclusion, Google star ratings are a consumer-powered grading system that provides valuable information about the reputation of businesses. These star ratings appear on various Google search results properties, including maps, standard blue link search listings, ads, rich results, local pack results, third-party review sites, and app store results. The star rating is based on an average of all review ratings for a business and reflects the feedback from users on specific aspects of the customer experience. Different types of star ratings exist for different search properties, and businesses can obtain star ratings on organic search results by adding schema markup to their websites. Paid ads can display star ratings through seller ratings, and local businesses can have star ratings displayed on local search results by having a Google Business Profile and receiving customer reviews. Star ratings can also appear in rich results for specific content types, such as recipes. With Google star ratings, you have access to valuable information that can help you make informed decisions and choose businesses that provide exceptional customer experiences.
