Consumer guide product reviews and how to write for Google

Consumer guide product reviews have changed and if you are writing them you must also change with the times or get lost in the crowd

The days of just filling in a few product details are long gone

If you have ever tried to write a product review you will understand that it takes a bit of investigation and time to get it right. You might know the product well however there is a lot more to it than that.

First up is your Bio page, yes this will have an impact on your results because Google wants to know what qualifications you posses and should anyone take notice of you. If you are a truck driver writing about medical equipment it may seem out of place. However if you were a truck driver that worked ambulance shifts and used equipment the answer is different

In 2011 Google did a Pander update where search queries were put into computer learning.

They looked at a search in a different way

Would you trust the information presented in this article?
Is this article written by an expert or enthusiast who knows the topic well, or is it more shallow in nature?
Would you be comfortable giving your credit card information to this site?
Check does this article have spelling, stylistic, or factual errors?
Make sure the article provides original content or information, original reporting, original research, or original analysis?
How does the page provide substantial value when compared to other pages in search results?
How much quality control is done on content?
In what way does the article describe both sides of a story?
Is the site a recognized authority on its topic?
Was the article edited well, or does it appear sloppy or hastily produced?
For a health-related query, would you trust information from this site?
Why does this article provide a complete or comprehensive description of the topic?
Or does this article contain insightful analysis or interesting information that is beyond obvious?
Is this the sort of page you’d want to bookmark, share with a friend, or recommend?
Would you expect to see this article in a printed magazine, encyclopedia or book?
Are the articles short, unsubstantial, or otherwise lacking in helpful specifics?
Are the pages produced with great care and attention to detail vs. less attention to detail?

From Yoast SEO

You don't have to follow the exact guidelines however it is all about getting to page one of a search term. Google makes the rules and follows them so I would suggest you should as well.

Trust may be the third principal in the “know like and trust” trio however it is the closer that counts. Give them reasons to trust your work as an established author with knowledge on the subject.

The focus on trust and quality extends even further

It may not be a review however the rules are the same and are applied to every article or post.
Therefore it is important that you use outbound links to establish credibility in your information sources.

This is not an easy task however thinking about the rules and how you can employ them into your writing will become part of your style.
Would your readers like to share your work or bookmark it for future reference, do you do a comparison and provide a fair review.

Google now update the request by;

They ask if your reviews:

Express expert knowledge about products where appropriate?
Provide quantitative measurements about how a product measures up in various categories of performance?
Explain what sets a product apart from its competitors?
Cover comparable products to consider, or explain which products might be best for certain uses or circumstances?
Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of a particular product, based on research into it?
Identify key decision-making factors for the product’s category and how the product performs in those areas?

consumer guide product reviews from the boss

A good example is taken from the Google Bible;

The message is repeated over and over that the old ways have changed and you must change as well.

This even extends to your Keywords and Meta description that must follow the ideas of what search engines are looking for.

As a Writer I challenge myself to develop better skills that will allow me to find the Holly Grail of a first page listing.

It starts with a Keyword that will really determine if you will ever get to be read by anyone let alone advance among the pages.

Then it gets harder

You need to have a recognised brand
Be an expert in all things
Do deep research
Write like a Pulitzer pro
Include more than 1200 words
Add a few Pictures
Establish Trust
Induce them to buy
Use expert resources

Where do you start your change?

I went back to basic training to see what I had missed and there is no better place than at Wealthy Affiliate where there is a great class on writing a review

To grow in this market you have to be better than average.

Everyday more people are writing reviews and clamouring for a position.
Therefore your product must be superior to all the others.

Human content

You are not writing for a computer algorithm because Google is a lot smarter than that. They want product written for the average reader to enjoy the material and mark it as above average. Yes they may use AI to achieve this however the computers are programmed to think like you and me.
That is why natural is best , it gets read.

Provide alternatives

Comparisons are a great tool even when marking a product down. Many writers will tell you that products they have disliked have gone on to provide many sales.
The reason is that your writing is not a sales tool. It is a resource to deliver customers to a sales page thus the ability of the sales page is important. However that is out of your control.

You need to put yourself in the position of the reader

A technical white paper is appropriate in some circumstances however we are in the entertainment business.
Your role is to captivate the readers and have them trust that you are the ONE.

You will do this by providing a review that shows you are on top of the game. You know your stuff and can articulate it clearly.

consumer guide product reviews need video

Back it up with a video

You can either insert a link to a YouTube video or imbed one in your site. Before your brain explodes and you scream why a video let me give you some ideas.

YouTube is searched nearly as often as Google
Some people hate reading but love pictures
Two forms of approach are better than one
Throw Facebook and Instagram into the mix and you have even more
Do a professional video for free

Video is more important than ever so don't ignore it. In fact it will help you get to first page quicker. The ultimate goal.

My conclusion on product reviews

Do not be scared of change. Take the opportunity to improve your skills and achieve the results you want.

Adapt to the times and learn from the results.

Use your analytics to give you answers and go back and make the necessary fixes that need to be done.
Aim for page one and accept nothing less.

Importantly enjoy the experience.