Review Filtering in the Local World – the Good, the Bad, the Ugly
A hot topic in the local world is the use of review filters on local platforms. Better customer reviews lead to higher rankings in search engines, so business owners and managers are willing to do just about anything to boost the quantity of positive reviews. Yelp, for instance, has caught many businesses paying customers to add positive reviews, which goes against Yelp's slogan, "Real people, Real reviews".
A hot topic in the local world is the use of review filters on local platforms. Better customer reviews lead to higher rankings in search engines, so business owners and managers are willing to do just about anything to boost the quantity of positive reviews. Yelp, for instance, has caught many businesses paying customers to add positive reviews, which goes against Yelp's slogan, "Real people, Real reviews".
In order to ensure that reviews posted about a business are authentic, websites such as Yelp and Google are using algorithms that filter reviews based on keyword stuffing, extreme adjectives or profanity, and link inclusion in a review. Seems fair and justified right? However, there is a problem with this system. Many "real" reviews are being filtered out.
Learn how online reviews are being filterd, how to prevent your reviews from being filtered, and the future of online reviews by reading the full article at Milestone Insights.
About Milestone Inc
Milestone drives online discovery and customer acquisition for over 2,000 companies through an AI-native digital presence platform. Milestone's platform integrates a GEO-first CMS, AI Agents Platform, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), Personalization Engine, AI Content Studio, Local Listings, Schema Manager, Analytics, and Performance Marketing services. Businesses across hospitality chains, management companies, and independent brands trust Milestone to enhance visibility and deliver engaging customer experiences.
Clients include leading brands such as Marriott, Choice Hotels, IHG, Velas Resorts, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, SeaWorld, and Sun Outdoors. Milestone powers over 300 million annual website visits, 540 million schema-powered content clicks, and 3.7 billion local searches. Recognized by Forrester, G2, the Adrian Awards, and the US Search Awards, Milestone is consistently ranked among the top MarTech platforms. Learn more at www.milestoneinternet.com.