Google reviews
Google reviews are public feedback entries linked to a business profile on Google Search or Google Maps. They usually include a rating from one to five stars and may also contain written comments, photos, or details about a customer experience. Google reviews can affect how a business is perceived, how users compare local options, and how visible the business appears in local search contexts. They are subject to Google’s policies on prohibited, misleading, or inappropriate content.
Google Business Profile
A Google Business Profile is the public profile of an organization across Google services, especially Google Search and Google Maps. It can display the business name, address, opening hours, phone number, website, photos, services, questions and answers, and customer reviews. For a local business, the profile acts as a central source of structured information. It can be managed by a verified owner or administrator through Google’s business management tools.
Local SEO
Local SEO refers to practices that aim to improve a business’s visibility in location-based search results. It is relevant to Google Maps, the Local Pack, and searches connected to a city, neighborhood, service area, or nearby intent. Common factors include accurate business information, consistency of name, address, and phone details, customer reviews, relevant website content, local citations, and geographic proximity. Local SEO is distinct from broader organic SEO because it depends heavily on location signals.
Google star rating
A Google star rating is the average rating shown on a business profile, typically represented by one to five stars. It is based on ratings submitted by users through Google reviews, according to Google’s own calculation and display methods. The rating provides a quick summary of perceived customer satisfaction, but it should be interpreted alongside the number of reviews, the recency of those reviews, their written content, and the distribution of high and low scores.
Review response
A review response is an official reply posted by a business to a customer review on a platform such as Google. It may thank the reviewer, clarify facts, acknowledge a problem, or describe a follow-up action. The response is usually public and visible to future users who read the review. Effective responses are factual, professional, and proportionate. They should avoid exposing sensitive personal information and must comply with the rules of the review platform.
Online reputation
Online reputation is the perceived image of a person, brand, or business based on information available on the internet. It can be shaped by customer reviews, search results, social media posts, news articles, forums, photos, and public responses from the business. For a local business, online reputation often relates to trust, credibility, and the consistency between actual customer experiences and the digital traces that potential customers can find before making a decision.
Google Local Pack
The Google Local Pack is a block of local search results that appears in Google Search for queries with geographic or nearby intent. It usually includes a map and a small selection of businesses with their name, rating, review count, category, address, or opening hours. Its appearance depends on multiple factors, including relevance to the search query, distance from the searcher or searched location, local prominence, and the quality and completeness of available business information.
Review QR code
A review QR code is a scannable code that directs a customer to a page where they can leave a review, often after a purchase, visit, or service appointment. It may be printed on receipts, posters, cards, packaging, or counter displays. Its purpose is to reduce the number of steps needed to access the review form. Use of review QR codes must follow platform rules, including restrictions against fake reviews, review gating, or misleading incentives.
