Tag Archives: SEO Optimization

Google Reviews Glitch – An Update for Business Owners

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Google Reviews Glitch – An Update for Business Owners

Google Reviews play a crucial role in how businesses attract customers, build trust, and enhance their online presence. However, a recent Google Reviews glitch has caused confusion and frustration for many business owners. If you’ve noticed missing reviews, fluctuating review counts, or inconsistencies in your Google My Business (GMB) listing, you’re not alone.

At Zenergy Works, we specialize in SEO, Google My Business optimization, and local listing management, so we’re breaking down what’s happening, why it matters, and how to respond.

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What is the Google Reviews Glitch?

Recently, business owners have reported issues with Google Reviews, including:

  • Reviews disappearing or not showing up
  • Review counts fluctuating without explanation
  • New reviews taking longer than usual to appear
  • Ratings changing without new reviews being added

This glitch has affected businesses across industries, raising concerns about how Google’s algorithm manages review moderation, filtering, and display updates.

Why This Matters for Your Business

Google Reviews Impact Your SEO & Visibility

Google prioritizes businesses with consistent, positive reviews in local search rankings. If your reviews disappear or your rating suddenly drops, your business could lose valuable visibility.

Reviews Build Trust & Influence Consumer Decisions

Potential customers rely on reviews to make purchasing decisions. A sudden decrease in review count or missing positive feedback could impact credibility and conversion rates.

Google My Business Listings May Be Affected

Because reviews are integrated into your Google My Business profile, any inconsistencies can create confusion for both business owners and potential customers.

What is Causing the Glitch?

While Google has not released an official statement, several possible causes could be responsible:

  • Algorithm Updates – Google frequently updates its ranking and review filtering algorithms, which may be affecting how reviews are displayed.
  • Spam Filtering Issues – Google filters out spammy or fake reviews. However, legitimate reviews could be caught in this process, leading to unexpected removals.
  • System Bugs – Like any technology platform, Google My Business can experience glitches that temporarily affect review visibility.
  • Profile Changes – If you’ve updated your business address, category, or name, Google may have reprocessed your reviews, causing some to disappear or reset.

How to Handle the Google Reviews Glitch

If your business is affected, don’t panic! Here are some steps to mitigate the impact and restore your online reputation:

Check Your Google My Business Dashboard

Log into your GMB profile and see if there are any notifications about review issues. Sometimes, updates or warnings will appear here.

Monitor Your Reviews & Keep Records

Take screenshots of your review history and keep track of missing reviews. If they return, you’ll have documentation to compare.

Ask Customers to Repost Reviews

If a legitimate review disappears, kindly ask the customer to check if it’s still in their Google profile and, if needed, to repost it.

Contact Google Support

You can report missing reviews directly through Google Business Support. While they don’t always restore lost reviews, they may offer insight into the issue.

Diversify Your Review Strategy

Encourage customers to leave reviews on multiple platforms like Yelp, Facebook, and industry-specific review sites. That way, you’re not solely relying on Google.

Keep Your SEO & Local Listings Optimized

Even if reviews are fluctuating, maintaining a strong SEO strategy, updated GMB profile, and well-optimized website will help sustain your online visibility.

Final Thoughts: Stay Proactive

The Google Reviews glitch is frustrating, but it’s a temporary setback that businesses can navigate with the right strategy. Staying proactive, transparent with customers, and focused on a long-term SEO plan will ensure your business continues to thrive despite technical hiccups.

At Zenergy Works, we help businesses optimize their online presence, manage local listings, and build strong SEO strategies.

Need help with your Google My Business or SEO? Get a free quote today and take control of your online reputation!

SEO Practices That Defeat Algorithm Updates

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SEO Practices That Defeat Algorithm Updates

At Zenergy Works, we understand that Google’s ever-evolving algorithm updates can leave businesses scrambling to maintain their search engine rankings. But instead of chasing after every update, the key to long-term SEO success lies in adopting sustainable practices that work with—not against—these changes. In this blog, I’ll share actionable SEO strategies that help your website stay ahead, no matter what new algorithms are introduced.

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Why Google Algorithm Updates Matter

Google’s mission is to provide users with the most relevant and high-quality content. To achieve this, Google constantly refines its algorithms, impacting how websites are ranked. Recent updates, such as those targeting user experience (Core Web Vitals) and content quality, emphasize the importance of a strong SEO foundation.

As a business owner, it’s essential to partner with an SEO company that understands these shifts and implements strategies designed to thrive in this dynamic environment.

1. Prioritize High-Quality Content

At the heart of every algorithm update is Google’s commitment to content that satisfies user intent. High-quality, original content continues to reign supreme in SEO. Here’s how to ensure your content meets Google’s standards:

  • Focus on User Intent: Understand what your audience is searching for and create content that answers their queries comprehensively.
  • E-A-T Principles: Google evaluates content based on Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Showcase your authority by citing reputable sources and offering well-researched insights.
  • Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Use keywords naturally, focusing on delivering value over keyword density.
  • Regularly update existing content to keep it relevant and align with the latest search trends.

2. Mobile-First Optimization

With mobile searches accounting for over 60% of all searches, Google’s mobile-first indexing prioritizes websites that are optimized for smaller screens. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, it risks losing visibility in search results.

  • Fast Loading Times: Optimize images and reduce server response time to improve site speed.
  • Simplify Navigation: Make your site easy to browse on mobile devices by minimizing clutter.

3. Improve Core Web Vitals

Core Web Vitals are performance metrics that measure your site’s loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability. These factors directly impact your rankings.

  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Optimize page load speed to ensure key elements are visible quickly.
  • First Input Delay (FID): Enhance your website’s responsiveness by minimizing JavaScript.
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Avoid unexpected shifts in layout by specifying image dimensions and preloading fonts.

4. Focus on Local SEO

For businesses targeting specific geographic areas, local SEO is a game-changer. Recent algorithm updates have increased the importance of optimizing for local search.  Local SEO strategies are especially important for small businesses looking to dominate their local markets.

  • Google My Business Optimization: Keep your business profile up-to-date with accurate information, including address, hours, and services.
  • Localized Content: Create blog posts or landing pages tailored to your local audience’s needs and interests.
  • Citations and Reviews: Ensure consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) across directories and encourage positive customer reviews.

5. Diversify Your Backlink Profile

Google views backlinks as a vote of confidence in your content. However, not all backlinks are created equal. Updates targeting spammy or low-quality links have made it crucial to focus on quality over quantity.

  • Earn High-Authority Links: Partner with reputable sites in your industry to gain backlinks from trustworthy sources.
  • Content Marketing: Publish compelling infographics, case studies, or research that others want to link to.
  • Avoid Link Farms: Stay away from practices that could result in penalties, such as buying links or participating in spammy link schemes.

6. Leverage Technical SEO

A strong technical foundation is essential for navigating algorithm updates. Technical SEO focuses on optimizing your website’s infrastructure to make it more accessible to search engines. Technical SEO may seem daunting, but with the right SEO consultant, you can ensure your site is search-engine-friendly.

  • Structured Data: Use schema markup to help search engines understand your content and display rich snippets.
  • XML Sitemap: Ensure your sitemap is up-to-date and submitted to Google Search Console.
  • Fix Crawl Errors: Regularly audit your website for issues like broken links, duplicate content, or missing meta tags.

7. Stay Ahead with Regular SEO Audits

SEO isn’t a one-and-done process. Regular audits allow you to identify weaknesses, measure performance, and adapt to changes in Google’s algorithms. With Zenergy Works, you’ll receive SEO audits weekly ensure your website remains optimized for today and prepared for tomorrow.

  • Technical Audit: Identify and fix issues that may be hindering your site’s ranking.
  • Competitor Analysis: Keep an eye on what your competitors are doing to stay ahead in your industry.

Partner with an SEO Company You Can Trust

At Zenergy Works, we specialize in helping businesses navigate the complexities of SEO. From adapting to algorithm updates to crafting long-term strategies, we’re here to ensure your website ranks high and attracts the right audience.

Get a Free SEO Quote

Ready to take your SEO to the next level? Contact us today for a free SEO quote and discover how we can help your business thrive in a constantly changing digital landscape.

Get A Free UX Review

How Can Digital Marketing Help Grow My Business?

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How Can Digital Marketing Help Grow My Business?

When it comes to growing your business, tapping into the power of digital marketing is a game-changer. However, for your efforts to be most effective, it’s essential to understand the wide range of digital marketing tactics available and what they have to offer

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When you employ multiple tactics simultaneously, your digital marketing strategy becomes a robust toolkit that propels your business’s growth forward and becomes a driving force behind its success. 

For example, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps improve organic search placement, while paid ads (primarily on Google and Bing) ensure immediate visibility by placing your business at the top of the search engine results pages. This combination gives you both long-term visibility through SEO and instantaneous visibility through paid advertisements—ultimately driving more traffic and potential customers to your website. 

Email marketing uses an organic collection of customer email addresses to stay in touch with existing and prospective customers; social media marketing utilizes social media platforms frequented by your customer profiles to promote your unique selling proposition, brand image, and products. 

Our digital marketing strategies focus on building sales while improving your company image and brand recognition; these proven tactics can be effectively applied to any business, whether B2C, B2B, retail, or a professional service. 

Leveraging Digital Marketing to Build Sales

SEO and Paid Search Ads on Google and Bing have immense potential in terms of driving sales. These techniques specifically target keyword searches used by potential customers who have moved past the casual browsing phase and are ready to make purchase decisions:

  • Keyword research: Understanding what your potential customers are searching for is key to visibility. Conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify the terms and phrases your audience uses when looking for products or services like yours.
  • Highlighting key products and services: Showcase your most popular and profitable offerings; this will direct attention to them and increase the likelihood of conversions. 
  • Create conversion-oriented landing pages: Develop dedicated landing pages focused on converting visitors to customers. These pages should contain clear, concise information about your products or services backed by testimonials from previous clients. Additionally, incorporating credibility statements focused on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness) will bolster customer confidence in your brand. 

Email marketing is a powerful, cost-effective way to announce promotions or incentives for new and improved products or services, as well as an opportunity to improve products or services through upsells. It serves as a direct line to your audience and encourages them to make purchases or take advantage of special offers. 

Social media is a less formal platform for driving sales and promotions. However, for your campaign to succeed, it’s crucial to provide useful and relevant information. Share content that helps your customers use your products or services more efficiently or offers valuable industry-specific tips. Once you’ve established credibility through your content, call-to-actions to purchase your products or engage your services will be more effective. 

Building Your Image and Brand Recognition

Not all SEO content needs to be sales-oriented. In fact, Google (and other search engines) view content that provides value to users as the best content—and therefore worthy of being ranked higher in the search results. 

In addition, valuable content that educates and informs your audience positions your firm as an esteemed authority in your field. Blog posts and FAQs are instrumental in sharing your knowledge and establishing credibility. 

Likewise, Paid Display and Performance Max campaigns aren’t solely about immediate conversions; they’re designed to reach a curated customer profile and expand brand recognition. While this isn’t meant to imply that you won’t receive conversions from this platform—you certainly will—you’ll also have the benefit of amplifying your visibility in a way that drives both immediate action and long-term familiarity with your brand. 

Email marketing is an excellent platform for distributing content to existing and potential customers already familiar with your business, whether it’s a new blog or essential updates. This regular engagement deepens your relationship with your customer base, fosters brand loyalty, and encourages repeat business—all of which are key to helping your company grow. 

Social media platforms offer a window into your company’s culture and values for those in your target markets, which allows you to forge online relationships and cultivate brand recognition among your target audiences. 

Crafting a Successful Digital Marketing Strategy

While this guide doesn’t cover every digital marketing platform and its nuances, it does offer a general roadmap for crafting a successful digital marketing strategy. 

Keep in mind that the cornerstone of any successful digital marketing strategy lies in having a website that delivers a robust and seamless user experience; your website is the foundation that drives the success of all of these strategies and ties them all together. Learn more about creating a strong online presence here. 

SEO Blog Optimization Checklist

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SEO Blog Optimization Checklist

The primary goal of any blog is to create unique and useful content. The strategies outlined here are designed to get content found in search engine results and help to build the reputation of the author of the blog content. The following is a very basic checklist designed to help with SEO Blog Optimization.

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Keyword Research

If you use tools from Google, Ahrefs or SEMrush, keyword research is a vital start to your blog process. It is the basic step of understanding how many searchers are interested in your blog topic, how competitive the keyword or keyword stream is in search results, and what related topics may be available to optimize in your blog post. It is also wise to check trending topics in search for the terms that you have chosen to optimize.

Quality Content

Content should use short sentences, short paragraphs and use simple words whenever possible. The content should be easy to read and convey a useful message.  E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) is also very important under current Google Guidelines. Be sure to write about what you know. Most of our blog topics are inspired by questions we get from our clients. Don’t be afraid to update past content as it becomes outdated.

On Page SEO

It is vitally important to create the following to optimize your blog post: Title tag that contains the keywords and geo targets, a compelling and descriptive meta description to let online searchers see what your blog post is about and want to get the information that you provide in it, H1 tag that includes your target keywords and matches the Title Tag, alt text for images on the post-again to match your target keywords, and please include links to valuable information that matches the blog post on your website.

Backlinks

If you are optimizing for competitive keywords, you may consider building quality backlinks to fully complete SEO Blog Optimization. The links should be from relevant sites-a great guideline is to only build links that a human being is likely to find in relevant online searches and use to reach your content.

Conclusion

This checklist is not meant to be exhaustive, but rather to introduce you to the general practices for SEO Blog Optimization. For a more in depth discussion of this topic please see optimizing your blog for SEO on SEMRush.

I know that our firm struggles with being consistent with blog posts, but that is one of the keys to success and staying relevant in search results.

If you have additional questions about SEO, please see our white paper on Local SEO Optimization  
Eric Van Cleave is CEO and Digital Director for Zenergy Works, A Santa Rosa California SEO Firm.
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