Google Search is expanding Store ratings to more countries, as announced today. Previously available for searchers in the US, Store ratings will now be accessible in Australia, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom.
What are store ratings? Store ratings are a tool defined by Google to assist searchers in finding businesses that provide high-quality customer experiences. They help build trust and enable more informed purchasing decisions. Consequently, store ratings can boost the performance of ads and free listings, directing more qualified customers to merchants’ landing pages.
Store ratings are displayed in Google Shopping search results, and users can click on the rating to access detailed business information, including reviews, shipping, and return policies.
I believe they were previously known as seller ratings.
What they look like. Here is an image of these store ratings:
How to get store ratings. Google stated, “If you’re a merchant in these countries and don’t have store ratings enabled, you can participate in a free Google Customer Review program or gather reviews from various independent review websites. If you already participate in either of these, your relevant results are eligible to appear with a store rating.”
Why we care. Any additional method to increase visibility in your search results or products on Google Search can drive more traffic and sales to your website and business. Store ratings might help achieve this and generate more income from your site.
This could be worth exploring if you haven’t already done so.
